Dining Out:

I have to admit, I have a slight bias when it comes to anything Cuban. During those formative years growing up and attending St. Robert Bellarmine Elementary School, my best friend and compatriot of misadventures, Gabie, was Cuban. She taught me the true meaning of ethnic pride and an appreciation of other cultures. And no one made better flan than her grandmother.

So when my friend, Kathy Segura, recommended a Cuban restaurant in Burbank, Guantanamera, I knew it had to be good. I was not disappointed.

Disregard the deceiving strip mall location. Once inside Guantanamera, you are transported to a relaxing yet elegant atmosphere reminiscent of the Cuban cafes in Miami. Tiled floor, wicker chairs and bright colors welcome you. Formal place settings, glassware and cloth napkins create the sophistication inherent in Cuban culinary culture. Together, these elements make this a perfect spot for a romantic date or simply an evening out for the entire family.

My cousin Ron was a reluctant companion for dinner because he had no idea what to expect in Cuban food. Fortunately, the menu, even with the Spanish titles, had clear descriptions written in English. Of course, most any menu reads like a love poem to me, so my real test is always Ron and how he responds. I wait for either a frustrated sigh or surprised hum. I was shocked when Ron said almost everything looked good.

And why not? Who could refuse a breaded top sirloin steak, grilled lamb chops, fried pork, grilled halibut, or chicken simmered in Spanish wine? The misnomer is that if an entree is Spanish, it must be spicy. The Cuban spices you will find in most of the dishes in any Cuban restaurant are spicy, but they do not carry the heat like Mexican entrees.

Guantanamera is the sort of restaurant that makes you wish you had two stomachs. Deciding on one entree for dinner seems so unfair.

Fortunately, I’m the “little cousin,” so if my fork lands on Ron’s plate “accidentally,” he has to forgive me. Otherwise, I would still be at Guantanamera a week later and unable to fit my body through the door.

Although the appetizers, especially the empanadas made with ground beef or chicken in a pastry and the potato balls with ground beef, are always delicious, we started with a couple of mojitos.

The mojito is a traditional Cuban drink made with simple syrup, rum, lime juice and mint.