Feb 25

Asia de Cuba (Sunset Blvd.)

Food 10: W. Hollywood

My co-workers and I managed to make it to the last day of the dineLA Restaurant Event at Asia de Cuba, the Asian and Latin fusion restaurant at the Mondrian Hotel. They had a $22 three courses lunch which is a really good deal for this $$$$ long-time trendy "scene" restaurant. It's got a really nice view of the city and a great outdoor patio dining area. Originally they gave us a table that's right next to the pool, pity that the sun was too bright and there was no shade, so we sat inside instead.

There're 3 different choices under each of the 3 courses. For the 1st course:

Black bean and chicken pea dumpings tomato-ginger sauce, charred tomatillo puree and citrus crema. Very delicious!

Lemongrass skewered chicken: coconut Thai chili marinade, grilled pineapple and lychee. Braise pull pork empanadas: Eggplant bell pepper sofrito, mancheago cheese, citrus salad, smoked chili dipping sauce. Both were very good. I especially love the citrus salad that came with the Empanada: thinly slices of mango, cucumber and red bellpeper with chili powder. What an interesting side! I was very impressed with all three of the first courses.

2nd course:

Miso cured Alaskan butterfish: Cuban black bean and edamame salad, tempura shisito peppers. Amazing! Those of us who got this dish agreed that it was the winner of table. The butterfish was perfectly cooked, the meat was so moist and airy that they melt in your mouth. It's cooked with just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness from the miso with a touch of chili powder. Highly recommend!

Mediadia (Cuban pressed sandwich of the day), Cuban BBQ chicken: Thai coconut sticky rice and avocado fruit salsa, tamarind sauce.

3rd course:

Sorbet of the day: House made tropical sorbet served with seasonal fresh fruit chopsticks and chili fruit sauce.

Cuban Opera: Rich chocolate cake layered with milk chocolate buttercream and coffee mousse with coffee-brittle ice crea, chocolate and caramel sauces. The opera was a little "hard" and heavy.Caribbean Carrot cake: carrot cake layered with pineapple cream cheese with lemongrass rhum raisin ice cream.

What a fantastic and satisfying meal for $22. The combine of Asian and Latin cuisine's ingredients on some dishes are interesting and quite inventive. The service was surperb. And there're plenty of food, unlike my previous two dineLA experiences (see entry: Vin Bar Valentino, NOÉ at the Omni) in which they significantly cut down on the portions. Though I wonder if I would be as impressive with the meal if I have to pay the regular price (very $$$$)? The drinks are all at least $15 and above (ex: $15 for a small average-at-best Mojito, just...) It's definitely a place for special occasion only.

Asia de Cuba
8440 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 848 6000

Joan | February 25, 2008 08:10 AM