CoCo Havana

Don’t ask me how I️ ended up in Hoboken, NJ of all places, but today I️ found myself there and fight as the bell chimed for dinner time.

I️ had just gotten off the path train at the Hoboken station and quickly did a scan of the neighborhood. I️ have a hard pass to the chains and sports bars and decided to try the white tables clothed Coco Havana instead.

The menu is moderately priced, topping out at 25 dollars for a steak entree. Their signature cocktails are about $10 each so no real shocker there.

I️ started my meal with the Strawberry Champagne Mojito

The champagne fizz I was looking for was swallowed up by the rest of the strawberry Mojito but it was refreshing and light.

For my entree I️ opted for the Salmon Varadero, a pan seared wild caught salmon with pineapple salsa and fried plantain, adding yellow rice and red beans as my included sides.

IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
The yellow rice is the same as the veggie paella (yes you read that right) and DAMN IS IT GOOD. The red beans are deliciously soaked in juice and the salmon was moist albeit not the standard medium, a firmed medium well.

The flavors popped in my mouth and I️ couldn’t stop eating.
Well I️ did stop long enough to order the Sparkling Guava Margarita.

YALL. YALL. LOOK AT MY FACE. THAT REACTION IS REAL. I️ EVEN LEFT MY BROKEN NAIL IN IT BECAUSE THAT SHOT WAS TOO REAL. IT IS THAT GOOD.

Coco Havana does sound like its namesake and even adorns itself in the traditional Cuban pride artifacts like a mural of the country and countless bottles of Havana Club and Run in general.

Unironically, they sell Classic Mojitos for ONE U.S. DOLLAR on Tuesdays and boast about bottomless Bellini brunch weekends for $27. You may catch me back in Hoboken sooner than later.