Earlier this week, we brought news that Ravi DeRossi’s sit-down restaurant in the Cienfuegos complex would be called El Cobre, and now he confirms that it opens this evening. As anticipated back in April, the space, modeled after a public square, does indeed contain a fountain. Per DeRossi, the figure spouting water is “the blessed virgin of El Cobre of Santiago, Cuba, the lover of Chango, the god of drunkenness and debauchery.” Appropriate for a cocktail list that focuses on rum!
In addition to a number of classics (the Floridita, the Cloak & Dagger) and the intriguing-sounding Papa Double (a frozen daiquiri with grapefruit juice and maraschino), there are shaken and rocks options, and, as expected in these tiki-heady days, some sweeter-leaning swizzles. Food is in the same classic-Cuban vein as the offerings at next-door sandwich shop Carteles and the upstairs Cocteleria, with some additional snacks like tamales and crab gratin, larger plates including rack of lamb and grilled snapper, and a selection of seviches. El Cobre will be open nightly from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends for brunch. Get a look at the food and (draft) cocktail menu below, and glimpse the interior in our slideshow.
Platos chicos
Ensalada Criolla 8
tomato, avocado, red onion & herb vinaigrette
Ensalada de Palmitas 8
avocado, hearts of palm & grapefruit
Yucca Fritta 8
crispy batons with curry mustard
Plantain Chips with Avocado Purée 8
fried green plantain chips with creamy avocado dip
Albondigas 10
spanish style lamb and beef meatballs served in a roasted tomato & habañero sauce with fried green plantains
Croquettas de Jamon 10
ham & cheese with sofrito aioli
Empanadas de Vegetales 12
mixed vegetable turnover with fresh avocado purée
Empanadas de Carne 12
beef turnover with chimichurri sauce
Tamales 12
corn masa and braised pork steamed in a banana leaf
Crab Gratin 16
with saffron pickles & cuban roast
Drunken Shrimp 15
shrimp in garlic and rum mojo on a bed of sweet mashed plantains & jalapeño shavings
Croqeuttas de Cangrejo con Guava 14
lump crabmeat over goat cheese, fondue, roasted red pepper & guava paste
Costillas 15
pork ribs in habañero & guava glaze
Sandwiches 10
Cubanitos
roast pork, sliced ham, swiss, provolone, pickled & garlicky mustard
Choripan
hot popovers with cheese & chorizo
Sloppy Joe
twice braised beef (ropa vieja) with stewed peppers, onions, tomato & cheese
Bocadillos de sandwiches 12
combo plate
Fritta 16
cuban style burger, served medium rare (unless specified), pickled onions, sofrito aioli & swiss cheese
Platos Fuertes
Rack of Lamb 25
island spiced rack of lamb, grilled medium (unless specified), served with citrus salad, rice, black beans & avocado
Carne 24
10oz sirloin steak grilled medium rare (unless specified) with boñiato purée & crispy vidalia onions
Ropa Vieja 19
twice braised beef stewed with peppers, onions and tomato served with black beans, rice & tostones
Pollo a el Mojito 21
mint and lime marinated chicken over crispy yucca fries & sautéed kale
Crispy Snapper Filet 21
with mango salsa, coco rice & kale
Ceviches 22
Pulpo
octopus with hearts of palm, grape tomato & avocado
Snapper
with coconut, red and green peppers, cilantro, mint & lime
Shrimp
marinated in citrus with toasted cumin, cilantro, cucumber and avocado
Arroz Con:
Vegetales 10
Gandules 10
Pollo 12
Mariscos Asopados 14
Postres 8
Tres Leches
traditional yellow sponge cake soaked in three milks, topped with meringue & toasted coconut tuile
Turon de Coco
coconut macaroon, vanilla ice cream & warm chocolate sauce
Warm Rice Puddings
served with autumn fruit
El Cobre Cocktail Menu [PDF]
El Cobre, 95 Ave. A, nr. 6th St; 212.614.6818
