Reviews for Calle 8 Restaurant & Lounge

09/06/2017 - GastroEclectico
Not so HOT! But worth a SHOT! This sparsely appointed setting, cavernous space, non-specific décor and warehouse-like atmosphere scarcely lends itself to it’s namesake in Miami or the Cuban Lounge scene! Although offering tremendous dance area and seating area, I found the décor lacking in either Cuban or Mexican motifs or acoutremonts, with very few and scattered decorations! It was heartwarming to meet the hard-working owners who are striving to make this place work and their perseverance in doing so. They have a way to go… the noshes offered in their ambiguous and small menu, with items many unavailable when ordering, barely reflect traditional nor nouveau Cuban or Mexican fare. Tacos, plantains, yuca – limited. In strong agreement with other Yelpers, their Cuban sandwich is good, but by no means a Cuban Sandwich (see my Cuban Sandwich entry in my Yelp List entry: Cuban Sandwiches [El Cubano] at https://www.yelp.com/list/cuban-sandwiches-el-cubano-north-miami). We visited late afternoon, early evening – too early for their DJ floor show, but can see that they have the potential for dance and frolic based on their DJ set up, dance area and promotionals. Recommendations: please expand your limited alcoholic beverage repertoire; increase your Cuban and Mexican cuisine offerings; and by all means a wait staff that can speak English will be beneficial to the English-only crowd. I look forward to coming back, I see great potential in Calle 8, see you soon? Bon appétit from El Saguecero (aka: Gástro Ecléctico)!