Friday, September 15, 2023

Openings: Cantina Cubana on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Cantina Cubana debuts today (Sept 15) at 4 p.m. at 17 Avenue B and Second Street. 

Ricardo Arias and Patricia Valencia, the husband-and-wife owners, were happy that ConEd finally turned on the gas for the restaurant.
The couple previously operated Café Cortadito at 210 E. Third St., just east of Avenue B. They closed at the end of January after 18 years in business after the landlord increased the rent from $8,000 to $15,000 monthly. 

Cantina Cubana is opening with a full menu with a similar lineup as Cafe Cortadito. Ricardo says it's 99% the same menu, with some new additions such as tacos and guacamole, plus a smash taco burger made with tortillas. 

Here's a look inside...
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. breakfast hours are possible in the future. 

You can find the Cantina Cubana website here.

14 comments:

NOTORIOUS said...

Beautiful space!

Anonymous said...

It is a good location I used to eat at the Cornerstone restaurant when it was there all the time. Hopefully the Cantina Cubana will be just as good and successful.

Anonymous said...

con ed destroys businesses before they even start with their red tape. i see it happen all the time. abhorrent company to deal with.

Neighbor said...

Beautifully renovated inside! Please do breakfast.

Anonymous said...

I want to wish them the best of luck and hope to get there soon

Anonymous said...

The owners are so nice, can’t wait to try out the new location!

oldmanfancy said...

Looks fantastic!

Sarah said...

Looks like a nice cozy feel. That just screams "breakfast."

Anonymous said...

There is no breakfast in the east village. So unnerving.

Neighbor said...

Glad I'm not the only one frustrated by the no breakfast thing! So many "breakfast" places don't open until 10 or 11am.

Lenore Lopez said...

Been waiting for you BABY. missed you terribly/ GOOD LUCK

Anonymous said...

I agree please do breakfast. Esprciallly since thank GOD they aren’t allowed to do the drunk brunch shit anymore. I stopped going when they rode on pocos coat tails and made the corner even worse. Looking forward to the new iteration.

Anonymous said...

Love them! Wishing them continued success!

Anonymous said...

Yay!!!! 🥳 I’m so excited that they’re reopening!