Vicente's Cuban Cuisine

Located in Downtown Detroit, Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine is a colorful change to your average restaurant. I’ve been meaning to try Vicente’s ever since my last trip to Miami. So last weekend, Allison, Emily, and myself decided to take the trip. We sat on the patio because we just didn’t feel like waiting 45 min to sit inside a packed dining room. Plus, the patio was cool, breezy, and allowed for people watching and conversation. See how Vicente’s ranked.

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 bites

Price: 3.5 out of 5 bites

Quality/Taste: 4 out of 5 bites

Service: 4 out of 5 bites

Wow Factor: 3.5 out of 5 bites

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Sangria: Delicious blend of red wine, fresh fruit, and brandy. I’m sure there was some other amazing ingredients added that made this sangria the best I’ve ever had.  I could taste a hint of cinnamon, but it was very subtle. I like that the taste of strong alcohol didn’t slap you in the face when you took a drink. The pitcher was served with all sangria, not watered down with ice, for $35. What a steal for 7 glasses.

Bread: Fresh and soft with a chewy crust. The dip tasted like a red pepper butter spread and was excellent.

We decided to order a bunch of tapas (appetizers) and share. It worked out really well.

Lobster Bisque: Rich, creamy, and smooth. You could really taste the lobster, which was almost too much for me. I definitely couldn’t eat a while cup.

Tostones: Double fried green plantain, topped with light garlic. Crispy with a subtle garlic flavor. The only think I didn’t like was that these were a little dry.

Papas Rellenas: Delicious seasoned mashed potatoes. Generously stuffed with flavorful ground beef. Breaded then rolled into a ball and lightly fried. I wasn’t as impressed with these as I thought I’d be. I heard very good things and think maybe my expectations were high because of that. They were still delicious and unique. Crispy, light, airy outside with a creamy mashed potato inside.

Croquetas Preparadas: Homemade ham and chicken croquettes. Not as good as in Miami, but still yummy. The filling was creamy and almost that of a pate, but still had some texture. The spicy tomato and cilantro dipping sauce was a nice, cool compliment.

Filetillo de Lomo: Tender strips of beef sauteed with garlic, onions, mushrooms, and peppers in a Rioja wine sauce. Rich, meaty, and the perfect amount of salt and savory.

I was really impressed with Vicente’s. The service was great and the food was delicious. It was a little pricey, between $18-30 for dinner prices, but the tapas were reasonably priced. Even though I hate waiting to be seated, I know when a restaurant has a wait, it’s a good thing. Pay them a visit on a weekend, Vicente’s offers salsa dancing and lessons. It’s a great, fun place with a lot of culture. I really enjoyed myself and it seemed as though everyone else did as well.