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Asia de Cuba at Mondrian
7353 E. Indian School Rd.| 480-308-1131

     Located inside Scottsdale’s trendy Mondrian hotel where celebrities like George Clooney and Will Smith partied during Super Bowl weekend, the Asia de Cuba restaurant overlooks the lush gardens of the Scottsdale Civic Center.
     The entire dining area is mostly white—sheer drapery panels flank floor to ceiling windows, white laminate tables with white cloth napkins, and circular banquettes divided by stands bearing towering white enameled fruit baskets.
     Every single patron that came in that night, including myself as it just so happened, was dressed all in black to match the dark floor tiles, the only contrasting color in the room.
     Frankly, with my dining companion in his blue shirt and tan Dockers sticking out like a sore thumb, I am surprised they let him in.
     The menu at Asia de Cuba offers an intriguing blend of Asian flavors infused with the spice of Latino cuisine.
     My boneless tender Char Sui Beef Short Ribs ($39), arrived pre-sliced and fanned across the plate alongside a complimenting chili orange mojo relish and congre tostones, a stacked layered mix of rice and beans that was deliciously like no rice/bean combo I’ve ever experienced.
     The whole black beans and Asian spiced rice was the perfect side dish to the sweet sauce that coated the beef.
     Companion’s Miso Cured Alaskan Butterfish ($38) is a house specialty our waiter informed us. I can see why with its flaky, moist flesh and the side Cuban black bean and Edamame Salad was a perfect example of the restaurant’s amazing array of mixed sweet and spicy selections.
     We had left just enough room for something from the large dessert menu, but be forewarned—Asia de Cuban’s dessert portions are huge compared to other restaurants, then again they are twice the price. The Cielo de Coco ($13) consisted of a humongous slice of coconut layer cake drizzled with a rich white chocolate fudge sauce between two huge scoops of dulce de lece caramel ice cream. After one sample of the blend of flavors, I almost regretted ordering the Bread Pudding ($13), until I dug into the rich blend of flavors concocted into a stupendous slab worth every calorie.
     Needless to say, the next time you and your family are arguing between going out for Mexican or Chinese food, give Asia de Cuba a try and everyone will be happy. You might even end up getting some celebrity's autograph.