Cafe Bolero

We went to Cafe Bolero early on a Saturday evening. The atmosphere was very charming. I liked the open kitchen. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. When she found out that this was our first time there, she spent additional time making some recommendations from the menu. The combination platter of tapas was a wonderful option to sample of some of there offerings. Nicely presented with a variety of tantalizing flavors. The roast pork and vegetarian stuffed peppers were flavorful and ample. The total bill came to under $50 for two with one cocktail each. Not bad for a city location. Parking was a little inconvenient, but not a serious problem.

Pros: Reasonable prices, delicious food

Cons: parking

Posted 01/23/09

If you go to Bolero will love the food specially the skirt steak w/ white rice and beans , mojitos are not the same than befoore , too sweet now , neither is the service . The new family related waiter avoid him if you cuold , worse service ever , starting with his language barrier to the point of his ego wich is the worst . Well I dont want to get to cranky about that , exellent food and drinks . Just don't forget to drink their sangria wich is one of the best in town .

Pros: Amaizing food

Cons: Horrible service

Posted 11/21/08

Ok, for a while there after the reopening the service was good and attentive but the last few times I've been there it's been lacking and it almost seems like it's a chore to wait on us. I mean it's not like we're demanding people but please don't make us wait fifteen minutes to ask what we'd like to drink especially since it's practically empty. I remember going there mid summer and it was late with some friends and the hostess and our cute waiter were more than accomodating and didn't seem to mind that it was near closing time. The margaritas were good but the sangria was the best I've ever had. The steak was cooked to perfection and the ceviche was delicious. The food and the prices are reasonable but alot has changed with regards to service. Someone needs to tell the manager that the staff should leave the "attitude" at home.

Posted 11/14/08

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Bolero. We went on a Friday night around 7 p.m.; we didn't have a reservation but that wasn't a problem. We were seated immediately. The bread with garlic butter was a great start to the meal because I was famished. I ordered a $7 mojito and it was fantastic! My husband ordered a pineapple drink that I didn't care for, but he enjoyed it. For dinner, I had the ropa vieja. The dish was massive and flavorful -- mounds of shredded flank steak with rice, plantains and black beans. The dinners are priced reasonably (especially considering the amount of food!). The hostess and wait staff were overly friendly. I'll definitely come back!

Pros: Inexpensive, lovely ambiance, mojitos, mojitos, mojitos!

Posted 08/26/08

for a new experience. I've been to Cafe Bolero twice now and both times have been great. First time was on a Tuesday and I ate outside. I asked about the music and the waitress mentioned there is music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last night (thursday) I went at 9:30 and ate inside in the back bar. They had an awesome group playing music heavily laden in spanish guitar and drums. The food was great, people were dancing, and the music was awesome. (Guitarra Azul is the group's name). I bought a CD and found out they now play there on Thursday nights. I definately recommend checking it out. It also looks like a family run place. All of the people there were happy. Always good to see. Good change from the "Dine here because we're the newest fancy place downtown", but leaving the place with only bragging rights of having been there.

Pros: Parking is easy.

Cons: Don't expect to go with a large group late in the night and sit front stage. (Late being after 9:00p)

Posted 07/17/08

I really can't agree with people that are "in love" with a restaurant or that really hate it because it's horrible. I think all places are in the middle. Some have bad dishes, but good atmosphere and drinks. Other can have great food but the place itself may be ugly or with no class. Some are beautiful locations but the food its just bad. Cafe Bolero has a nice balance overall: The place used to be cheaper but after a complete renovation of the main area, the increased prices a bit. No you can find better furniture, and the lighting its more classy. Now, the good part: FOOD.-The repertoire its pretty good, but of course, it won't be so attractive for veggie people (Go to cuba and ask people around "Who is vegetarian?! They will laugh at you!) The carne asada is one of the best stakes I ever had. Cooked to perfection and so tender! Black beans and rice with lots of flavor, and that butter and bread that you can't have enough.
The Pulpo a la Plancha its well done and full of flavor too. Shrimp and veggies with this salsa that its so flavor full... I'm not very attached to fried stuff, but it seems that people like maduros a lot, along with tamales and rellenos.
DRINKS.- I think Bolero has the best mojito in town, they call it "Killer mojito" and that's because its so big that you will be done after having just one. The one the serve at Rumba in downtown its 10 times smaller and just 5 bucks less! Not to mention the difference in flavor and the bad service the bartenders offer in Rumba...
MUSIC.- Tuesday is my favorite night, listening to a very original cuban orquesta, with a mixture of traditional tropical music and the new Jazzy style from the Island. Beware of the noise, the cuban cigars and the heavy flirting at the bar... It might be just too much for some people.

Pros: Food in general is very tasty. Drinks well served. Good desserts. Great music!

Cons: Prices aren't cheap anymore, Tables are too close to each other, bar is small.

Posted 09/11/07

Live music was a nice surprise during my Tuesday night visit. I ordered the veggie combo plate which was standard with fried plantains, black beans & rice but good, filling, and cheap ($8). Beer menu was above average with selections like Xingu from Brazil and Famosa from Guatemala. Lively atmosphere--i would recommend this Cuban joint to a friend.

Pros: Live music, Good value

Posted 12/19/06

If you are a vegetarian DO NOT bother visiting this restaurant. The stuffed green plantain tasted like something out of a can. When mentioned to the manager, he stated that I had eaten too much of the dish, thus he could not do anything about it. The manager never came near our table nor saw that the dish was practically untouched. His bad customer service combined wit the bad dish has assured me that I nor my friends will never return to Cafe Bolero.

Pros: Meat dishes according to my meat eating friends were tasty

Cons: Vegatarian selection very limited and tasted like something out of a can

Posted 09/21/06

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR LUNCH OR DINNER, SERVICE IS FAST AND FRIENDLY. BEST TAPAS: COMBINATION PLATTER (STUFFED POTATOES, CROQUETTES, CUBAN TAMALE), CHICKEN OR BEEF PIES (EMPANADAS). ENTRY: SKIRT STAKE IS SIMPLY AWESOME, THEY HAVE EXCELENT VEGGIE DISHES, DELICIOUS DESERTS, TRY A VANILLA FLAN (CREME BRULEE) WAOOO!!!! BEST MOJITOS AND DRINKS. WE WENT IN A GROUP OF 8; WAS A WONDERFULL EXPERIENCE IN TASTE AND SERVICE.

Pros: AMBIENCE, MUSIC, FOOD

Cons: PEOPLE COMES WITH SPOILED KIDS?

Posted 07/10/06

Potentially worst than the cafeteria food in a public school. Being from Miami and having eaten real Cuban food this place is a complete disaster. HORRIBLE food that I do not think my dog would eat and the service may be even worse than the food. The manager was extremely rude when I said that the food was not good and told me I'd have to pay for it anyway and did not offer an apology and just walked away. Not only was it not authentic Cuban it was disgusting. I wouldn't recomend it to anyone.

Pros: none

Cons: food horrific, service even worse, nothing positive

Posted 07/08/06

What a great deal. This restuarant has friendly service. The food is amazing and authentic. Try the mojitos!

Pros: Service, Tasty food, Mojitos

Posted 05/28/06

The service was fast, friendly and resourceful. Our server was sweet and nice. The Mojitos were good, the ropa vieja was great, the fricasse, black beans, and flan was fabulous. We thought the experience at this restaurant was just the kind of pleasing adventure you want when you go out. Not too expensive either.

Pros: flavorful food , at good price

Cons: More comfy chairs?

Posted 04/28/06

Make a reservation and go only if you are a relaxed person. Don't go if you're in a rush, because you won't enjoy it. I've NEVER had a bad meal there, and I NEVER left hungry. I've always had very good service, whether I go with just my wife, or with a group of 8 of my best friends. Try the "Chuleta de puerco", or the "ropa vieja". You can't go wrong with those. To drink, try a "Cuba Libre", or one of their fruit shakes if you go during lunch. The Licuado de Mango is awesome.

Pros: Price, Good Parking, Service

Cons: wait to be seated

Posted 11/29/05

The food is cheap and pretty good. But try waiting 45+ minutes for it, that becomes pretty tedious. If you're not starving and want a cheap and tasty meal, come here. The sandwiches are about 5 to 7 bucks, the tapas options were 3 to 7, the entrees were about 9 to 12.

Pros: inexpensive

Cons: horrible service

Posted 08/16/05

It's kind of hard to rate this restaurant in the food part of it, I went there with my husband on sat around 6.00pm the restaurant was empty except for a nother couple sitting a few tables infront, two different server went out to check on them, while we sat out ther for about 20 minutes, only the bus boy came out to sever water and bread, no one acknolweged us so we finally got up and left, when I called back to talk to manager, she apologized but didn't offer to make up for it , over all it was very dissapointing, as for the food we couldn' t tell you, as I don't plan to go back, instead I found another cuban restaurant, that takes care of it's patrons.

Cons: waitstaff stunk

Posted 07/09/05

We went to Cafe Bolero recently and had a very positive experience. We went early (before a play) and it was not crowded. This was first time with Cuban food and all the items we tried were very good. Service was good, too. We are recommending this place to all our suburban friends who like to venture into the city for something they won't find in their local strip mall.

Pros: Ample Parking, Variety, Tasty

Cons: 45 minute drive

Posted 06/17/05

The service was poor - the bartender took our order and forgot the drinks, the busboy brought our food out and forgot the black beans. Usually the food would make up for the poor service, however, even the food did not compare to authentic cuban food and I'm from HIALEAH Florida. "Home of the CUBANS" The restaurant did have a beautiful environment, however, this is not enough for me to come back or recommend to anyone else. I'm sorry this was a real disappointment.

Pros: Nice candles

Posted 12/19/04

Papa rellenas aka potato balls were fried to perfection, but lacked the requisite spicy oomph. The media noche was missing the Cuban love and energy - it came out with a bean salad and a few thin strips of plantain chips. A Cuban grandmother might shake her head and frown at those. The service was good, the place was packed. The mojitos were great and all were in a good mood. They just need to figure out the kinks in their menu and all will be well

Posted 12/07/03

Easily one of the best places in it's value range. The tapas sample platter is fantastic and the filled potato balls are to die for.

For drinkers I recomend the mojitas. The best in the city.

Pros: fantastic food, great drinks, good parking

Cons: noisy, service sluggish

Posted 08/11/03

Ate lunch at Cafe Bolero with some co-workers. Citysearch helped us decide to go here.

All of us enjoyed it. Great atmosphere, good food and very reasonable. However, the service was slow so don't eat here at lunch if you're in a hurry.

All of us said we'd like to go back for dinner and enjoy an entree, a drink and the music.

Pros: Great atmosphere, Good food, Inexpensive

Cons: Slow service at lunch

Posted 07/23/03

Great food, good service, interesting variety. Nice local spot to check out.

Pros: Food, Seating

Posted 02/18/03

This is a great Cuban Grill Restaurant. I am from Chicago and I recently moved to Florida, let me tell you the best foods are up there!! And not only that no other CITY can top my CITY the WINDY CITY...CHICAGO!! I LOVE IT!

Pros: , Parking Lot

Cons: Expensive

Posted 11/04/02

This has got to be one of the best date spots in the city. The atmosphere is ALWAYS lively and fun and the food is priced right! Don't leave without having at least one Mojito!

Pros: live music, friendly people, outdoor dining

Posted 10/07/02

Tuesday nights at Cafe Bolero is the place to be. Good looking Latino singles crowd the retaurant and bar for the after-work live Latin Jazz show. Unfortunately, I chose the spot for a corporate group dinner. Although the back room atmosphere was wonderful, the service left much to be desired. Half of our table had reluctantly completed their dinner while others hadn't yet received the appetizer. The food, when it arrived was good, but definitely stick to smaller parties.

Pros: Crowd, people watching, live music

Cons: crowded, slow service, sour mojitos

Posted 09/30/02

not great, not bad. good prices. the chicken was dry- not overcooked, but just bland, in the arroz con pollo. The mussels were good. Not a bad place, just not the best food in the city. Bolero has a nice, comfortable environment and we weren't rushed on a friday night.

Pros: reasonable price, relaxed service

Cons: bland

Posted 08/30/02

This was a great place for Thursday night dinner. Prices were excellent and the food was even better. I do not know what good Cuban food is, but I do know the food I had here, was very good. The place is a small romantic setting perfect for a date with a little outside dining area. I recommend this retaurant to anyone wanting to try something different without being disappointed.

Posted 07/01/02

I am always surprised when I read people's reviews saying this is the best Cuban food in the city. Do those people actually know what real Cuban food tastes like? C.B.'s food is ok, definitely not the best. If you order ANYTHING fried (most appetizers), all of your items will look (dark brown) & taste the same. How one makes papa fritas taste the same as croquetas is beyond me. Entrees are a tad better- ropa vieja, for ex., was at least better than the other Cuban restaurants in the city, although that's not saying much. Sandwiches are DRY. Stay FAR AWAY from Cafe Bolero's mojito, which they make with lemon juice, and not lime. Otherwise, it is a nice place to sit outside and drink and smoke a cigar. On Wed nights, the band is ok, but for the small room, do they need the speakers on full blast?

Pros: Good entrees, Good bar

Cons: Bad appetizers, Horrible mojito, Dry sandwiches

Posted 06/30/02