By Jessica Wang (thatsbj.com)
Updated: 2008-03-10 10:47

Guantanamera.com certainly has courage-not just because its name ends in dotcom, but also because it purveys a cuisine seldom found in Beijing: Cuban.

With cosmopolitan clientele, nightly salsa performances, a humidor, and Cuban curios, this flamboyant place will get you swaying along. However, the schizophrenic menu with dishes such as french fries (RMB 20), Caesar salad (RMB 25), and chicken cordon bleu (RMB 40), lags somewhat behind in authenticity and will need readjusting to hook Beijing's pampered diners.

While the pork loin with black rice (RMB 45) was substantial and reasonably priced, it just failed to keep up with the energetic environment. We understand the obstacles to opening a new restaurant-incomplete supplies, temporary menus, and novice wait staff-so who knows, the flavors could improve and the Cuban chef might become better adjusted to the Beijing weather.

But for now, we'll stick to our glass of Cuban sangria and Cuban mojitos.

Guantanamera.com
Daily 10am-2am.
East of Kuntai Royal Hotel, Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
5879 7510