Havana South - Portland Restaurant Review

A birthday dinner this past week found us on Wharf Street in Portland at Havana South, a delightful new (opened in June 2010) restaurant featuring a Latin inspired menu. While the interior decor offered a fascinating atmosphere and a perfect setting for a calm dining experience, we choose to sit on the outdoor patio overlooking the cobblestoned Wharf street and those passing by.

Might I recommend carefully considering the extensive wine list, as we did before being greeted by their in-house wine expert. We made his work easy, opting instead for a carafe of the sangria, which was very pleasant on the warm evening.

While awaiting the arrival of our appetizer Lobster Empanada, we enjoyed a basket of cornbread with sweet butter and olive oil. The lobster empanada with the mango sauce held us over wonderfully until the entree was served. What was most appealing about Havana South was the courteous waitstaff, each attentive to their evening task and ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of the customers, sometimes overlooked by a number of Portland food establishments these days. For the entree, I was pleased with the Paella South Style, featuring clams, mussels, lobster, and shrimp, "over saffron infused short grain rice" was a pleasant reminder that we were one short block from the fishing boats off the wharfs of Commercial Street.

Overall, the experience at Havana South was fantastic; great atmosphere and wonderful service.

For further information on the restaurant at 44 Wharf Street, Portland, please visit their website Havana South Portland, Maine