Bon Appetit at Pambiche

Restaurant: Pambiche
http://www.pambiche.com/
Cuisine: Cuban
Vibrant, colorful, cozy, friendly, warm, family oriented,

Location:
2811 NE Glisan
Open 7 days a week for breakfast-lunch-dinner.
No reservations.

Happy Hour: 2-6 pm during the week, and 10 - midnight Saturday and Sunday.

Price range: $- $$

We arrived at Pambiche for dinner at 5:45 pm Sunday and were quickly seated. The staff was very friendly and approachable and the restaurant was brimming with people and colors. Images of cars from the 50’s, cigars, drums, wood parrots and colorful dishes added beautiful accents to an already inviting atmosphere.

I was excited to skim the cocktail menu for exotic drinks or specials. I decided on the traditional sangria and Lauren opted for the Pacific Beach cooler. I have had my share of sangria, but nothing compared to this. This sangria was light, refreshing, and full of fresh fruit and only hinting of alcohol. I would definite recommend it.

For appetizers, we ordered ensalada de frutas and jamon croquetas. Both were simple and delicious. The fruit salad was filled with mangoes, papaya, banana and pineapple- very fresh and not mushy. The croquetas were a delicious blend of cheese, smoked ham and Creole spices- fried and very tasty.

The main course required help from our enthusiastic waiter. He recommended some of their most popular plates and we narrowed it down to two. Lauren and I decided to be adventurous and order the Pescado con Coco and the Fricase de Pollo. The pescado (red snapper fish) was drenched in a spicy coconut sauce with fried plantains and rice on the side. Very tasty and a very large quantity of food. The pollo was tangy and tender with tostones (fried plantains) on the side. The entrees were hearty and flavorful.

For dessert we splurged after eyeing our neighbors beautiful sweet treats and opted for the Torta Domino and the Tres Leches cake. The torta domino was a white chocolate mocha cake with hints of Kahlua liqueur and a dark chocolate ganache over the top. Rich and delicious. The Tres Leches was light and sweet without being overwhelming.

Overall- “Delicious, festive and fun”- Just like Cuba!

Jewelry:
I wore earrings, necklace and a bracelet made by Firefly from Guatemala. Firefly makes colorful, cheerful and dazzling pieces that make people happy and feel exotic. Lauren wore designer Chan Luu from Los Angeles. Gold diamond hoop earrings and a brown leather and gold vermeil wrap bracelet brightened up the already festive atmosphere at Pambiche.