La Caridad

No one stays a stranger when the staff mixes with the patrons to peppy cubano music. The portions are gigantic; the bread is steamy and buttery; and specialties like masitas de cerdo (crisp, chewy pork chunks) or bistec en escabeche (a platter-size steak pounded thin and marinated with peppers, onions, garlic, olives and vinegar) come with heaps of rice, beans and fried plantains. By the end of the meal, you’ll be viewing the mirrored wall of painted beach scenes with great affection.