Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar

My general rule of thumb is to not have my first experience at a restaurant be a happy hour, since you tend to get poorer and slower service than normal. While not wrong about the service, the quality of food and the strength of drinks totally made up for it.

There was one server and one bartender, and even though we were a party of 10, there were maybe 12 people in the entire place. Service was a bit slow, but because we weren't in a huge rush it didn't matter too much. If we had been, I think I might have been annoyed.

We went a a group to celebrate a co-worker's divorce, and immediately ordered drinks. My margarita appeared small at first, but a few sips and I realized it was pretty high quality and there was enough tequila to make me pretty happy. My second drink, a classic mojito, was also pretty (surprisingly) strong, and very tasty. The sugar cane in the drink as garnish was nice too, and I don't know if you're supposed to eat it, but I did.

There are only four happy hour apps: The nachos are really, REALLY, good. We had them naked, with chicken, and with pulled pork. They are all delicious, though I like the pulled pork ones best. They have mango salsa - how can they NOT be good? I also really liked the fried plantains with baby shrimp. I think given different sauces, the empanadas (filled with spinach) and dumplings would have been better, but I still thought they were pretty good.

Parking can be expensive, unless you're lucky enough to park on the street (and even then it's metered), but it's probably worth the fee. I'd love to go back and try some of the entrees.

I was here when this place opened a few years ago.
I haven't been back since.
It's cute inside but my mojito was kind of blahhhhh. I also ordered a side of rice and beans and it was so dry.
I love the idea of a rum bar because I am a huge rum fan- but wan't crazy. Wish I could've like it more.

Not a true Cuban restaurant, more of a rum bar with good, Cuban-inspired food. Great happy hour specials, happy bartenders.