Cubanidad 1885 Catering
Ham and Cheese Empanadas
Cod Fish Croquette
Guava and Cheese Pastelito
Medianoche Sandwich – Smoked Ham, Roasted Pork, Swiss Cheese, Homemade Mustard Sauce, Sweet Egg Dough Bread
Shredded Beef Ropa Vieja Cubana
Mojo Roasted Pork Lechon Asado
Sweet Potato Mash Puré de Boniato
Fried Plantain Tostones
White Rice
Tres Leches Cake
Homemade Flan
Now inhabiting the block south of Spring Mountain Road on Fort Apache since just before Memorial Day, it was seeking something different for lunch that Cubanidad 1885 sparked interest, e-mails answered in a timely manner by Sam Chen making catering for twenty-five simple, though the portions that arrived were probably better suited for a group of forty.
Dubbed “the Ybor Original,” locations in Tampa Bay as well as Miami highly regarded for the Cuisine of Chef Dennis Martinez Miranda, it is inside recently constructed confines that guests will find tables juxtaposing a counter lined in Pastry, customer service not only efficient but pleasant and the order ready to go promptly at the time of Cubanidad’s 11:00am opening.
Packing everything in temperature-controlled containers, a fifteen minute drive to the office finding everything but Desserts and Sauces piping hot, it was with items unpacked that staff explored flavors novel yet familiar, several Hispanics quick to praise Empanadas packed with Ham and Cheese as well as Ropa Vieja that balances sweetness and heat with a tangy linger that can be amplified by Housemade Salsa.
A locally-owned import, Chef Miranda’s Cuban upbringing and professional training in Venezuela followed by Miami yielding products with big flavors as well as proper technique, it is great fortune for fans of Brandade, Baccala or even “Fish Sticks” that Cubanidad’s Coquettes match the quality of those seen throughout southern Florida, the fried Plantains equally oil-free with just a touch of Salt while “Puré de Boniato” sees Sweet Potatoes made into a velvety Mash with hints of what tastes like Molasses.
Hit-and-miss with Lechon Asado, the best bits those from the edge as they had taken up more of the roasting Juices and Citrus Rub, it was by adding Oil perfumed by Garlic and Cilantro that fattier cuts fared better, though nothing more was needed to make Cubanidad 1885’s Medianoche exemplary, the “Midnight Cuban” easily Las Vegas’ best iteration from lightly sweetened Brioche to Pickles, Pork and Homemade Mustard Sauce.
Not about to skip Dessert, the housemade Flan darkened by nearly-burnt Sugar stunning at merely $1.50 per round, Tres Leches is mostly forgettable at a similar price while Pastelitios for a quarter more are better than those at any local Panaderia thanks to Butter-laminated Pastry nearly bursting with Guava Jam and melted Cream Cheese.
N/A: Making it blog policy to not ‘rate’ places based on catering alone, Cubanidad put on a very impressive display in terms of customer service and preparedness while the product served far outperforms the modest price point.
RECOMMENDED: Cod Fish Croquette, Medianoche Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, Tostones, Flan, Guava & Cheese Pastelitio.
AVOID: Large orders of the Lechon Asado seem compromised by the Mojo Rub poorly penetrating center cuts.
TIP: Online Ordering available by Yelp! with delivery fulfilled by Grubhub, Doordash and Postmates. See weekly ValPak for coupons and check-in for free Tres Leches.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.cubanidad1885.com
