A Taste of Cuba in New York City

Havana Central in Times Square, NYC

Enter Havana Central’s restaurants in New York City and you might just feel like you’ve taken a brief trip to pre-war Havana, Cuba. With décor including tropical trees and framed posters highlighting Cuba’s capital, you are one step further from the 1 and 7 subway lines and in the center of a lively atmosphere with music and authentic Cuban cuisine.

Cuban Quartet: Mano Dura

Founder and President Jeremy Merrin opened Havana Central’s first restaurant in Union Square in June of 2002. This was shortly followed by the opening of the Times Square site in 2005 and the Upper West Side location in 2007.

According to Tanya Castaneda, Havana Central’s social media manager, the restaurant’s popularity has continued to grow and so has the vision for the business. In an effort to extend into additional markets, the Union Square location closed its doors in April of 2011.

“We outgrew the location,” stated Castaneda. “There were about 70 seats and a small bar. It no longer fit within our business model.”

Patrons can look forward to the grand opening of Havana Central’s newest restaurant in Yonkers, New York at the new Ridge Hill Village within the next year.

When it comes to maintaining the restaurant’s authentic feel, Castaneda shared with me that it’s due to Merrin’s advisory board, also referred to as “The Cuban Cabinet.” This group of specialists closely monitors all aspects of the business including ambience, cuisine and entertainment.

Music has always played an important role at Havana Central. Guests can enjoy live bands Wednesday through Sunday at the Times Square site. The Latino sound comes alive on the weekends on the Upper West Side location.

Bands play a mix of salsa, son, mambo, Latin jazz, cha-cha and merengue. Mano Dura is a quartet you will often see performing at the Times Square restaurant. The group’s bandleader and piano player Paul Armstrong is a Scottish who loves Latin music.

“This music suits me as a player,” said Armstrong. “These rhythms are great to perform.”

The quartet plays guaracha, son, cha-cha and danzon.

Guests welcome the home-style Cuban cooking as much as the live performances.

“Listening to this music reminds me of a time in Cuba when friends got together and simply played street salsa for fun,” commented Sergio Dominguez.

“Everything you need to have a good night is right here,” said Armando Giraldo. “I’m enjoying seafood paella, empanadas and mojitos with friends, while listening to music in the background.”

If you would like more information about Havana Central go to www.havanacentral.com or call the Times Square site at (212) 398-7440 and the Upper West Side location at (212) 662-8830.