• Home
  • About PubClub.com Nightlife Pubs And Clubs
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

PubClub

Where The World Goes To Party! A Nightlife & Travel Blog

Havana Daydreamin’ At Habana Cuban Restaurant In Costa Mesa, CA

October 24, 2020 by kevinwilkerson Leave a Comment

Reviewing Cuban Food & Cocktails Located In The Lab ‘Anti Mall’

Habana Cuban restaurant Costa Mesa CA
PubClubette Kristina gets ready to enjoy the Rum Pepper Shrimp dinner at Habana Cuban restaurant. Photo: PubClub.com




By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Food Blogger

Who says one can’t travel these days?

I took a journey from Southern California to Havana, Cuba to do a little Havana Daydreamin’ and I did not even have to get on an airplane.

Instead, I took a train from San Diego and went to Habana, a Cuban restaurant in Costa Mesa (there’s a second location a few miles away in the Irvine Spectrum). And while I was not actually in the Pearl of the Antilles, Habana sure made me feel like it for a few hours.

First, there was Cuban music playing on speakers. It was not enough to disrupt conversations, but was enough to make one want to get up and dance some salsa. Especially after one of its blackberry or coconut Mojitos ($10).

I just wish I had worn a white jacket and pants, topped by a Panama Joe hat so I could have really looked the part.

Habana Cuban restaurant Costa Mesa mojitos
You can’t go to a Cuban restaurant and not have Mojitos and Habana takes this cocktail to a new level with coconut (left) and blackberry flavors. Photo: PubClub.com

Later, tho, I went to heaven when I – accompanied by PubClubette Kristina – had the pork croquettas off the Taste of Habana appetizer platter ($22). Stuffed with cheese and bread crumbs and rolled into tall round balls they were so delicious that Kristina commented (after just one bite), “I can never have meatballs ever again that are not stuffed with cheese. Wow!”

They were so good, in fact, we talked about them all night and even into the next day. If there’s one menu item that will send you back to Habana time and time again, this is the one. It was a Cuban Crime Of Passion how quickly we devoured those croquettas! (Jimmy Buffett fans will get the reference.)

The platter also had three chicken and three vegan empanadas, something that Kristina had never had before (which is surprising because the girl loves good food!) and she is now a big fan.  To top if off, the mango cole slaw was a perfect addition and the banana-habanero ketchup, fire-roasted tomato sauce certainly added to our culinary pleasure.

Habana Cuban restaurant food PubClub.com PubClubette
PubClubette Kristina holds up the Cuban sandwich, called the Medianoche on Habana’s menu. Photo: PubClub.com

For our entrees, we wanted something really traditional from the island so we went for the Cuban sandwich, which on the menu is called the Medianoche ($14). Good call! It was, quite simply, the best I’ve ever had, and that was due mainly to the incredible rich taste of the ham. The rest of it – roast pork with perfectly-melted Swiss cheese – just melted in our mouths. Exquisite!

We also shared the Rum Pepper Shrimp ($30), a somewhat light choice considering the menu also featured roast pork, skirt steak and filet mignon. But after the wonderful appetizer platter, we did not want to walk away feeling too stuffed, for it’s easy to do that here since the food is so good.

This turned out to be an excellent decision. It comprised of pan roasted shrimp, Jamaican rum-pepper cream sauce, red and green peppers, mango and jicama salad, with white rice. This had me thinking that since I was having a pink crustacean, I really wished I had worn a white sport coat. (Buffett fans will get this reference, too.)

Habana Cuban restaurant food & cocktails
These cocktails pair perfectly with the rum shrimp at Habana Cuban restaurant. Photo: PubClub.com

One thing that really surprised both of us about the shrimp dish was how well it paired with our cocktails.

Kristina had the Hell Blossom – El Silencio Mezcal, Ancho Chile liqueur, muddled cilantro, cucumber, lemon, pineapple with a chile salt rim, the later of which really made this drink POP! – and I the Before Night Falls. The latter consisted of aged rum, house plantain syrup, ginger beer and lime ($12 and $15 respectively).

Habana Cuban restaurant cocktails
PubClubette Kristina holds up the creative mojitos at Habana. Photo: PubClub.com
Habana Cuban restaurant cocktails
The Before Night Falls (left) and Hell Blossom are two creative cocktails at Habana. Photo: PubClub.com

You get a choice of three rums and I opted for the Flor de Cana, an excellent dark rum from Nicaragua. One certainly doesn’t get that everyday. Unless you happen to spend a lot of time at Habana, of course.

For dessert, Kristina has the Flan Caribbean ($16) – which she fawned over with every bite – and since I don’t eat sweets I had the red sangria ($8).

Habana Cuban restaurant Costa Mesa CA flan and sangria
The Flan Caribbean – shown here with red sangria – is as good as it looks here. Photo: PubClub.com

Both were ideal to end our delicious evening. We then took a quick walk around the quirky area in which Habana Costa Mesa is located, The Lab. There, with an old VW bus and other quirky and vintage items, it actually kind of felt as if we were in Old Havana.

There’s one other thing to add here. Beyond the food, cocktails and atmosphere, the service is outstanding at Habana. Our waitress verbally walked us through the menu, made recommendations on what to order and was always there at the right time to follow up with us.

Habana Cuban restaurant Costa Mesa CA cocktails bartender
A bartender at Habana makes a Hell Blossom cocktail. Photo: PubClub.com
Habana Cuban restaurant Costa Mesa CA food
The Medianoche may be the best Cuban sandwich you’ll ever eat. Photo: PubClub.com
Habana Cuban restaurant Costa Mesa CA
PubClubette Kristina is ready to roll at Habana located in Costa Mesa’s The Lab. Photo: PubClub.com
Habana Cuban restaurant at The Lab Costa Mesa
The entrance to Habana is through this archway covered in old CDs. Photo: PubClub.com
Habana Cuban restaurant at The Lab Costa Mesa
The dining room of Habana helps mentally transport diners to Cuba. Photo: PubClub.com
Habana Cuban restaurant cocktails
These cocktails will help you do a little Havana Daydreamin’ at Habana Cuban Restaurant. Photo: PubClub.com

 

Habana is located at the following locations:

• 2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa

Phone: (714) 556-0176

• 708 Spectrum Center Drive

Phone: (949) 419-0100

• Hours:
– Thursday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-Midnight
– Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
– Tuesday-Wednesday, 5-10 p.m

• For the full menu, click here.

• Website: www.restauranthabana.com

• Instagram: @restauranthabana



Filed Under: Foddie Blog Tagged With: dining, Food & Drink, food blogger, Habana Cuban restaurant

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Unfinished Man

Search

Today On PubClub.com

EVENTS CALENDAR:
• Sept. 16-Oct. 3 – Oktoberfest, Munich

LET’S BE SOCIAL!
 
PubClub.com is a member of the Travel & Tourism Marketing Association, Inc.​, and the Travel Massive chapters in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County (CA).

Instagram

Follow on Instagram

PubClub (@pubclub) • Instagram photos and videos

Destinations

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Destinations (2,266)
    • Africa (1)
    • Asia (18)
      • Japan (5)
        • Tokyo (3)
      • Taiwan (1)
      • Thailand (7)
    • Australia (19)
      • Surfer's Paradise (3)
      • Sydney (5)
    • Brazil (7)
      • Rio (2)
    • Camping (1)
    • Canada (21)
      • Montreal (2)
      • Niagara Falls (5)
      • Toronto (2)
    • Caribbean (63)
      • Cuba (1)
      • San Juan (7)
      • Virgin Islands (24)
    • Central America (1)
      • Costa Rica (1)
    • Europe (106)
      • Amsterdam (14)
      • Britain (1)
      • France (3)
      • Germany (6)
      • Ibiza (2)
      • Kiev (1)
      • London (6)
      • Malta (1)
      • Monaco (1)
      • Moscow (1)
      • Munich (5)
      • Paris (5)
      • Poland (3)
        • Krakow (2)
      • Prague (6)
      • Sweden (1)
      • Switzerland (33)
        • Basel (5)
        • Bern (3)
        • Swiss Alps (1)
        • Zermatt (3)
        • Zurich (4)
    • Greek Islands (29)
      • Corfu (3)
      • Ios (2)
      • Mykonos (7)
      • Santorini (5)
    • Mexico (13)
      • Baja (1)
      • Cabo San Lucas (1)
      • Puerto Vallarta (1)
      • Tijuana (2)
    • Ski Resorts (73)
      • Aspen (1)
      • Austria (5)
      • Big Bear (15)
      • Big Sky (6)
      • Mammoth (18)
      • Squaw Valley (4)
      • Whistler (3)
    • Tokyo (1)
    • USA (1,905)
      • Alabama (3)
      • Alaska (1)
      • Arizona (8)
        • Lake Havasu (1)
        • Scottsdale (3)
        • Sedona (1)
      • Boston (6)
      • California (1,427)
        • Carmel (24)
        • Central Coast (9)
        • Lancaster (16)
        • Los Angeles (830)
          • Catalina Island (12)
          • Culver City (1)
          • El Segundo (4)
          • Hermosa Beach (177)
            • Fourth Of July (12)
            • Smackfest Events (23)
          • Hollywood (17)
          • Huntington Beach (3)
          • Lake Arrowhead (2)
          • Long Beach (43)
            • Grand Prix (12)
          • Manhattan Beach (78)
          • Marina del Rey (6)
          • Newport Beach (44)
          • Orange County (29)
          • Party Report (16)
          • Redondo Beach (82)
          • Santa Monica (4)
          • South Bay (93)
          • Sunset Strip (5)
          • Temecula (13)
          • Venice Beach (5)
        • Mendocino (13)
        • Monterey (30)
          • Restaurant Reviews (10)
        • Napa (5)
        • Oakland (7)
        • Palm Springs (9)
        • Paso Robles (9)
        • San Clemente (1)
        • San Diego (347)
          • Balboa Park (1)
          • Del Mar (14)
          • Events (83)
          • Gaslamp (56)
          • Imperial Beach (6)
          • La Jolla (1)
          • Lifestyle (4)
          • Music (1)
          • Ocean Beach (6)
          • Oceanside (1)
          • Pacific Beach (5)
        • San Francisco (75)
          • Events (15)
        • Santa Barbara (1)
      • Chicago (10)
      • College Towns (1)
      • Colorado (4)
        • Denver (4)
      • Florida (87)
        • Daytona Beach (1)
        • Ft. Lauderdale (4)
        • Jacksonville (1)
        • Key West (24)
        • Keys (8)
        • Miami (10)
        • Panama City Beach (3)
      • Hawaii (25)
        • Waikiki Beach (15)
      • Indiana (1)
      • Indianapolis (3)
      • Las Vegas (173)
      • Michigan (2)
        • Traverse City (2)
      • Nevada (2)
      • New Jersey (1)
      • New Orleans (43)
      • New York City (16)
      • Newport, R.I. (1)
      • North Carolina (1)
      • Oregon (9)
        • Portland (8)
      • Seattle (2)
      • South Carolina (4)
        • Charleston (4)
      • St. Louis (1)
      • Tennessee (51)
        • Franklin (4)
        • Gatlinburg (6)
        • Knoxville (13)
        • Nashville (5)
        • Smoky Mountains (3)
      • Texas (7)
        • Austin (6)
        • San Antonio (1)
      • Utah (2)
      • Virginia (1)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Hong Kong (1)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Events

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Events (521)
    • BVI Interline Regatta (5)
    • Carnival (5)
    • Cinco de Mayo (2)
    • Exercise and Socalize (2)
    • Fourth of July (8)
    • Halloween (9)
    • Holidays (19)
      • Thanksgiving (7)
    • Indy 500 (10)
    • Kentucky Derby (12)
    • Memorial Day Weekend (5)
    • New Year's Eve (43)
    • Oktoberfest (11)
    • Party Report (46)
    • Running Of The Bulls (5)
    • Spring Break (7)
    • St. Patricks Day (8)
    • Sundance Film Festival (8)
    • Super Bowl (16)
    • Valentine's Day (10)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Sports

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Sports (526)
    • Baseball (9)
    • Beach Volleyball (3)
    • College Football (297)
    • Golf (13)
    • NFL (45)
    • Olympics (13)
    • Racing (27)
    • Soccer (8)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Lifestyle

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Lifestyle (1,660)
    • Beach Reads (1)
    • Cannabis (4)
    • Celebrity Sightings (6)
    • Entertainment (22)
    • Mr. Sorehead (3)
    • Music (295)
      • Bands (3)
      • Festivals (59)
      • Jimmy Buffett (47)
      • Trop Rock (13)
    • Party Stories (2)
    • People Profiles (10)
    • Singles Life (7)
      • Men Vs Women (2)
      • Relationships (2)
    • Social Media (2)
    • Spirits (27)
    • Travel (665)
      • Airlines (32)
      • Airports (1)
      • Blogger (369)
      • Cruise Ships (28)
      • Hotels (15)
      • Product Reviews (3)
      • RV (1)
      • Singles Travelers (1)
      • Solo Travel (2)
      • Touring Blog (12)
      • Weather (17)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

From the Bar Stool

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • From The Bar Stool (321)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Bars

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Bars (279)
    • Bars & Food (27)
    • Bars & Nightlife (205)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

News

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Business News (4,802)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • News (7)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Colleges

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Colleges (30)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Food and Drinks

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Food and Drinks (428)
    • Beer (99)
    • Bourbon (2)
    • Cocktails (59)
    • Foddie Blog (27)
    • Restaurants (2)
    • Rum (10)
    • Singles Cooking (1)
    • spirits (10)
    • Spirits & Beer Industry (79)
    • Tequila (22)
    • Vodka (3)
    • Wine (83)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Subscribe To The Party Report

About PubClub.com

PubClub.com is a content-oriented nightlife tourist guide dedicated to social-minded travelers with articles on worldwide destinations such as Amsterdam, the Greek Islands, Prague, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Canada, and more. Top keywords for search are pubclub, pub club, party pubs, club pub, travel pub, pub club night, pubs and clubs and the pub club.
Read More...
Our Terms | Privacy

Legal

Ads

Powered by imFORZA