Bella Cuba (tastes like Versailles but in OC!)

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ps99472

ps99472

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A new cuban restaurant opened near South Coast Plaza, found it on yelp, didn't have high hopes but was pleasantly surprised by how similar it tastes to our old fav Versailles' up in LA.  We'll definitely be back for the garlic chicken... 
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bella-cuba-santa-ana

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simple french baguette slice, toasted on both sides with garlic butter, really good.

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empanada's with garlic dipping sauce (a bit underdone, middle tastes a bit doughy)

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sirloin steak (bistec palomilla), loved the grilled onions with the garlic citrus sauce.. definitely related to Versaille's sauce.. plantains were done perfect.

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garlic chicken...  a bit well done, but still tender..  first time having chicken and there was no pink... our new fav

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traditional white rice with black beans

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cuban coffee/cappucino... really strong, but is perfect after this heavy meal...



 
Nice find... if this place is good... I'll take you there for lunch one of these days PS.

Gonna try it tonight... I love Versailles.
 
So we went (and I finally took pictures before we ate):

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Scallops (main entrees come with rice, beans and plantains)

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Closer view

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Bistec de Pollo - Chicken Steak
It's a pounded breast of chicken in a lemon garlic sauce (mojo?) with onions. The chicken is in there... I asked for extra onions.

This place is just as good as Versailles... and I actually like the bread better. Seems like there were quite a few people on a Sunday night and man of them were eating the different sandwiches which I want to try.

My wife's favorite is the Pollo Al Allijo, the half chicken in the garlic sauce, but she didn't get it this time because she just had the Brick Chicken at Paul Martin's today (sorry... forgot to take a picture).

Looks like I owe PS9 a lunch.
 
momopi said:
Did you used to dine at Versailles in Culver City?  (On Venice Blvd)
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Yeah... try to get out there once or twice a year... then head on over to 3rd Street Promenade over in Santa Monica. We've even been to the one in Manhattan Beach. I think we even bought a bottle of the Mojo sauce on one of our visits there.

Haven't been lately because of the kids... when they were younger the street performers scared them a bit.

The last time we had Versailles-type food was at Universal City Walk about 2 years ago... they had a small space there... so having Bella Cuba close by is awesome. I talked a little bit to the staff and they just opened a month ago... they seem very friendly... similar to Versailles.

This is so coincidental because ever since we tried the Brick Chicken at Paul Martin, I've been craving Versailles and was even about to go to the Cuban place at the Lab or the one in Orange (been to both a long time ago). So again, props to PS9 for this find... I think the place Bella Cuba is in used to be an Italian/Pizza place... the decor looks familiar.
 
I've only been to the one on Pico and La Cienaga... not the cleanest, though they remodeled recently...  parking is a bitch though and nearly impossible during lunch/dinner rush... 

IHO, how were the scallops?  Never thought to order that at a Cuban restaurant..  love seafood though, when I have more time, gonna try the paella..
 
My wife ate the scallops... I don't eat those. She wants to try the paella too.

Before the remodel... it was always a long line to get into Versailles... and while I want Bella Cuba to do well... I don't want those kind of lines.
 
If they ever get too busy, there's always that DX peruvian place next door...  or the Japanese place....
 
My mother used to run a shop in front of old MGM studio (now Sony) in Culver City.  Versailles was down the street from us and I had a royal crush on the receptionist (prolly owner's daughter) when I was 18 or 19.  It was a sad day when I saw an engagement ring on her finger.  =/
 
We used to eat at the one in manhattan beach all the time. We went to dinner at Bella Cuba tonite and as previously mentioned is just as good as Versailles. I had the ropa vieja, it was very good. My wife had the garlic chicken and she really liked it as well. I finished off my plate, she took the other half of her chicken home for lunch tomorrow.

Great find. Thanks for the suggestion. No need to drive to te south bay for our Cuban fix. Habanas in costs mesa sucks and is nowhere as good as this place.
 
We had some of the chicken left over... 3 days later and it was still delicious, can't say that for other leftovers...
 
Went to Bella Cuba for lunch today... was glad to find it reasonably packed and I can't get over how glad I am to have a Versailles-type place in Orange County... and so close to Irvine.

PS9: Seriously... if you don't mind casting your eyes on the IHO view lot... I'll treat you to lunch here, just name the day.
 
ps99472 said:
Wow my first Internet man date
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Awww- how heart-warming!!  :) You're so lucky you'll get to meet IHO in person. When you report back please confirm or deny the rumors that he's really as intimidating / elusive / scary as he portrays. Jot down any birthmarks, moles, or scars and the locations thereof to help us compare notes in case we should ever cross paths. I am not against pitching in for a sketch artist's rendering. Sadly (?) this is probably the best way to make new friends these days. Anyway, don't mind me. I'm totally intruding here. Just happy to see everyone making new friends. It's a huge reason why I wanted the forum to go on.  :-[
 
SoCal78 said:
ps99472 said:
Wow my first Internet man date
Click to expand...

Awww- how heart-warming!!  :) You're so lucky you'll get to meet IHO in person. When you report back please confirm or deny the rumors that he's really as intimidating / elusive / scary as he portrays. Jot down any birthmarks, moles, or scars and the locations thereof to help us compare notes in case we should ever cross paths. I am not against pitching in for a sketch artist's rendering. Sadly (?) this is probably the best way to make new friends these days. Anyway, don't mind me. I'm totally intruding here. Just happy to see everyone making new friends. It's a huge reason why I wanted the forum to go on.  :-[
Click to expand...

PS, maybe you can snap a quick photo with your phone? Distract him with the food, take a quick picture, then post it to TI before he notices. Please do this as a public service for your fellow TI'ers. Thanks! :)
 
Food here was pretty good, though I think the steak sauce had too much lemon juice and the scallops sauce was too oily.  Bold flavors!


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