Construction work has been continuing at a steady pace in the old Symposium Cafe site at American Tobacco, which is set to debut in renovated fashion as Cuban Revolution, a new restaurant and bar opening its first location outside of Providence, R.I.
Cuban Revolution's arrival as a "mid-year" addition to the ATC came back in December, simultaneous with Capitol Broadcasting's announcement that the little-missed 'Pose would be closing, and that the much-hoped-for Ben Benson's Steakhouse was delayed for an unknown length of time due to the economy.
(Rumors continue to fly about the status of Ben Benson's, with some noise in the development community that other restaurateurs may be courted to take the space if the legendary Manhattan steakhouse doesn't make its Bull City debut.)
But back to Durham's forthcoming little taste of Havana. The folks at Cuban Revolution are redoing their web site, but their Twitter feed is up and running -- and they've teased their Durham opening with a few pictures:
Postcards making their rounds list a June 2009 opening for the restaurant, whose current Rhode Island menu features tapas, sandwiches, wraps and burritos along with a range of Cuban-themed entrees -- plus a full bar to boot.
More on an exact opening date as it draws nearer.
so excited!
Posted by: Gabe | May 21, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Can't wait. I hope the June 2009 opening is accurate.
Posted by: Bass | May 21, 2009 at 12:13 PM
FYI, many Cubans find the theme of this restaurant offensive.
Posted by: Betty | May 21, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Betty: Care to elaborate on that?
Posted by: DRR | May 21, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Wouldn't you be offended by the "world's best cuban sandwich" being called "The Fidel" DPR?? Mmmmmmmm. The menu has a pretty high kitch factor as well, i guess one could argue it glorifies Castro politics, but seems all in good fun. Then again, The Bay of Pigs wasn't all in good fun. I dunno. The Fidel sounds so good though...
http://www.thecubanrevolution.com/cubanrevolution2008menuMAYupdate.pdf
Posted by: bb | May 22, 2009 at 07:03 AM
Interesting. Hadn't thought about that connection. On the other hand, after reading the menu all I can think about is this Robot Chicken sketch:
http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=9007001b10560a10f4a2dd3108065d0a
Posted by: Kevin Davis | May 22, 2009 at 07:10 AM
What would offend Cubans is that in Cuba, the citizens can't eat this food. Castro took away my father's business, put my father-in-law in jail for a while, made one of my best friends not see his father for 25 years, shall I continue. This is the same as having a Restaurant named Hitler's Germany.
Who would go there.
You won't see me at this place.
Posted by: carlos | June 09, 2009 at 04:03 PM
I have heard the same sentiment from others of Cuban descent (although I think the equivalent would be naming a restaurant Third Reich...still not a good idea methinks).
Posted by: Erik Landfried | June 09, 2009 at 07:11 PM