What Cuban restaurant do I recommend? That’s a question I frequently get, especially when friends are having out of town visitors. Since there hasn’t been one I really like, there was no recommendation, at least until now. Mr. W, Cuban born, and a Cuban friend convinced me to try Havana Harrys, and my English girlfriend and I are now converts. Why?

First, the atmosphere. The restaurant is casual and easy, two large spaces and a bar with TV where what obviously were regulars, enjoying their lunch. There’s no outdoor seating.  An adjacent area is for the large takeout business they do along with a display case of their over the top cakes, but more about that later. Service is attentive and friendly.

Next, the food and the initial challenge at Havana Harrys. Getting through the seven page menu with all of the 300 dishes. Find traditional dishes and preparations and, shall we say “fusion”, as in new takes on favorites. I’m not going to do what I usually do, write the menu categories. Let’s just say it has everything with a capital E including tacos, ceviches, milanesas, pasta and more.  Never fear if you or someone else in your party is weight watching. There’s a choice of over a dozen salads with add ons, a choice of protein including lechoncito (suckling pig) and vaca frita for those who are ambivalent about weight watching.

Since we were “newbies” we opted for the classics. We started with the yummy chorizo (sausage) croquettes which were crisply fried outside and creamy inside with just the right hint of chorizo ($1.50 each). Next up were three large tostones (fried green plantains) guayaberos covered with copious amounts of shredded and grilled onions in a guava sauce, a favorite ($13.95). There were no fewer than nine options for tostones, from ones with shrimp and avocado in a creamy sauce to picadillo and more.

Another favorite was the chicken vaca frita – c hicken fried on the grill with garlic and onions topped with a mojo sauce. A welcome change from the usual chicken I have, it was tasty and tender ($17.95). Each of the entrees comes with a choice of two side dishes: white rice and black beans; brown rice; sweet plantains; marquitas (green plantain chips), French fries, mashed potatoes, yuca or fufu made of root vegetables (extra for house salad, Caesar salad or tostones). You can also opt for broccoli which thoroughly surprised me, as my experience is that you seldom find vegetables other than salads at a popular Latin restaurant.

We also had the ropa vieja, shredded beef with onions and peppers cooked in a tomato and wine sauce, another popular classic ($14.95). One order of an entrée is easily enough for two people and more like three. Portions are very large. If we were to get dessert, we couldn’t order any more entrees, so we stopped there and were glad we did.

OMG the desserts. The manager said some people call Havana Harrys the “Cuban cheesecake factory” and in the dessert department I can definitely see why. We tried the multiple layer cinco leches cake with three layers of sponge cake, stuffed with dulce de leche and covered with burnt meringue ($9.95);  tres leches coconut cake ($10.45), add $2.95 for ice cream; and the wedding cake ( pavlova) with strawberries, meringues and cream ($10.45). The portion size is huge. Next time I want to try the guava tres leches topped with heath toffee bar ($8.95) Most importantly, if you like meringue, sponge cake and dulce de leche you’ll be in heaven as was I. In fact,next time I have a dinner party I’m going there to get a few slices for dessert. It will definitely be a topic of conversation.

There’s an entire page of drinks including classic Cuban cocktails, wines, beer, natural fresh juices, and milkshakes. A glass of wine starts at $8 (5 ounce pour) and bottles at $20. Cocktails are $12.

It’s open for lunch and dinner daily and offers lunch specials weekdays with a soup of the day and four different entrees that vary daily. Specials start at $11.95 (less for soups). They also offer build your own bowls with choices of  protein, rice, toppings and sauces.

Note that the restaurant was recently bought out by the Centurion Restaurant Group that owns Bulla Gastrobar and Pizco y Nazca.

There’s a parking lot for restaurant patrons but it fills up quickly. On the other side of Le Jeune Road find street parking and the garage for the Village of Merrick Park.

Havana Harrys, 4612 Le Jeune Road, Coral Gables, FL 33146.