Coco Cubano
Image: Tipping their black beret to this Caribbean island more than I imagined, the cosy red-hued backroom had me imagining I’d just come down from the mountains with Che Guevara after liberating my people from the Yankee imperialists.
Tipping their black beret to this Caribbean island more than I imagined, the cosy red-hued backroom had me imagining I’d just come down from the mountains with Che Guevara after liberating my people from the Yankee imperialists. Admittedly I’d just thrown back a ripper Passionfruit Mojito ($14.90), made inroads into what may be this city’s biggest (whole bottle) jug of Sangria ($28), and foolishly inhaled a hand-rolled Cohiba Cuban Cigar ($4.90), so it was probably just head spins. Regardless, check your prejudices about run-of-the-mill chain restaurants and dive into this pivotal piece of Central Oxford Street real estate. Beyond people watching, it offers up quite passable tapas, from a duo of Mini Burger Sliders ($9.90) with grilled cheese and onion jam, to a sizzling platter of Spiced Chicken with Jalapenos and Guacamole ($10.90), wrapped in warm tortillas. As night falls over the orange-tinged law courts, planning your next revolution may carry you from the clever combination of Grilled Haloumi, Charred Peppers, Capers and Herbs ($10.90) into sweeter times. Chocolate’s a highlight. It’s made not from powders or syrups, but glorious melted buttons that had me scraping my plate of Choc Cinnamon Churros ($13.90), despite them being a tad crunchier than expected. It’s time to rise up.
Coco Cubano
191 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Ph: (0450) 956 395 www.cococubano.com
Bar Food/Tapas/Cocktails/Dessert $-$$
