DineLA 2009: Asia de Cuba
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Asia de Cuba in the Mondrian is one swank spot. The table wasn't ready, as we were being squeezed in, so we hung out in the bar. My nephew said, "I don't know if I've ever felt quite this cool before." After trying to seat us in a cramped spot between a hilariously large potted plant and the bussing station outside, we were given a table by the window with a stunning view of the city. The room is light and clean with an open feel. The stark white interior is offset by warm accents like earthtone pillows and throws.
The food is served family-style. Even for the DineLA menu, you have limited choices that are served for two and must be shared. We just couldn't decide between two appetizers, one large main and one large dessert, even after rock/paper/scissors. Finally we decided that since three people could order 2 appetizers, 2 mains and 2 desserts, that we would just pretend there was another person with us and would split the cost for invisible Uncle Henry. The menu varies slightly from the online menu, with a few changes in appetizers and the addition of a tofu dish.
The waitress kept asking if we would like to add a side, like lobster mashed potatoes. Lobster mashed potatoes sounds really good to an empty belly. Finally she said lobster mashed potatoes enough times that we ordered them. For Uncle Henry.
Many of the dishes are extremely sweet, even those lobster mashed potatoes. If you are going to order the pork ribs, for God's sake, don't order the short ribs. Balance your meal. All in all, the food is of the highest quality and well-prepared. But order very carefully or you will end up feeling like a queasy child the day after trick-or-treating.
More DineLA 2009 on LAist: The First Bite, SimonLA, Campanile, Locanda del Lago., Thousand Cranes.