Asia de Cuba at Clift

01/15/06

terrible

by jared4553 at Citysearch

The food was overpriced and the service was terrible. You would think the dine about town special would be a nice way to introduce their restaurant but it was not up to my expectations. I heard great reviews from friends about this restaurant only to find it a so so place. How can you service cold food that's overcooked, have no presentation, and charge so much?

12/20/05

Highly Over-Priced, Average Food, So-So Service

by jrushin at Citysearch

Our small group knew of the high prices going in, and would have been forgiving if the food lived up to the expense, but it was average at best. And, if the service were stellar, we could have justified some of the expense. But, the service was nothing special. Definitely not the level that you would expect with $30 entrees and $12 cocktails.

The biggest insults:

- $42 tab for WATER that they kept pouring but never mentioned a cost or even asked if we wanted more (would they open another bottle of wine before asking?)

- 25% automatic tip for groups (which borders on stealing, even for above-average service).

Bottom line: Asia de Cuba is an extremely over-priced restaurant with average food and so-so service. In a foodie city like SF, with so many better options, there's absolutely no reason to visit this restaurant.

• Pros: Lobster mashed potato, Creative cocktails, Neat space
• Cons: EXPENSIVE, Average all around, Bad lighting

11/13/05

Will go for a drink but never for food

by jadeluo at Citysearch

I went to Asia de Cuba with 5 other friends and thought we would have a enjoyable dinner. The food is really bad and I'm normally very forgiving so long the ambiance is good. What a waste on a great ambiance. The service was ok, our server was a bit superficial. I've been in the restaurant business for over 15 years own and I'm very forgiving on service as well but our server was not good.

The only good thing is their cocktails like their mango mojito is really good and the ambiance is really nice as well. So I will go there for a drink with friends but I will never go there for food. There are just too many good restaurant in SF why waste your taste bud!!

08/22/05

I loved it!

by stance at Citysearch

I've been to Asia de Cuba twice for lunch and have loved it! The place is spectacular and the ambiance very good. The food was incredible! Not only authentic as far as the Cuban plates go (I'm Cuban so I should know) but also creative with some unexpected twists. They also serve a lot of food. I have never been able to finish a plate there having to take a doggie bag every time. The service has always been attentive and dedicated with a grandiose entrance for each plate. Granted, it is pricey but the experience is unforgettable. Especially the banana/coconut cake which is to die for!!!

• Pros: nice place, awesome food, great service
• Cons: parking, price

07/18/05

A dramatic, glam theatre of a restaurant for Euro-scenesters, celebrities and the fabulously privileged.

by Joanna Currier at Citysearch

The Scene
Phillipe Stark's soaring, glamorously be-draped space -- complete with a high, crucifix-shaped communal table in etched Murano mirrored glass -- provides an impressive, red, candle-lit backdrop for fashion-forward face time. Towering leather booths and jungle print carpet complete the design-rich atmosphere. If the ambience or prices don't succeed, the open view onto the scene at the legendary Redwood Room lounge will certainly take your breath away.

The Food
Expect dramatic presentations to match the lofty surroundings. Six beef dumplings "two ways" come half steamed with coconut rice, half crispy skewered artfully on sugar cane. A bowl of shredded duck "ropa vieja" is presented with lettuce cups and an array of crunchy raw veggies; thick hoisin port sauce finishes the dish. Waitstaff encourage diners to split entrees, though many -- like the seafood pad thai -- are only large enough for one. The cielo de coco dessert, however, is a towering, full-sized cake that could feed six.

12/10/04

DO NOT GO!!!!!!

by brklyn76 at Citysearch

I am in the restaurant buisiness, and this has to be the absolute WORST dining experience I have EVER had! Not only was the food horrible & made absolutely no culinary sense, the service was exceptionally bad (throwing plates down, and demanding that we order b/c he was busy). We were a party of 8, and our server added items to our bill that were never asked for or served! You would think that an $850.00 later (not including gratuity) we would get proper service and food.

They also add 20% to your bill & you are TAXED on it! Gratuity is optional or "suggested", for larger parties and when service is this bad YOU DON"T GET A TIP!

• Pros: NONE

07/20/04

Great Experience

by Jennifer30309 at Citysearch

I dined with six friends in Asia de Cuba, and we were all pleasantly surprised by the amount of food, the quality and creativity of the food, and the amount of the bill. We all drank freely, from specialty martinis to wine to sangria, and ate until we had to be rolled out of the restaurant, and still wound up paying around $70 each. For a long, sumptuous, and decadent dinner (and a nice little buzz) this place is fantastic. The host also booked us a table at the Redwood Room, which was great.

• Pros: atmosphere, great food, service

07/01/04

Lunch is insulting

by bryceshuman at Citysearch

Stopped in for lunch only to find the food tremendously overpriced, underseasoned, and cold. They seemed to have a salisbury steak on a bun for eighteen bucks. Upon ordering the cuban steak sandwhich the entirely attentive and competent server asked for a temperature. I ordered Mid Rare, the sandwhich arrived mid well and cold as well. As for my companions they agreed the food was terrible especially after paying 180 dollars for lunch for four. The space is breathtaking, really incredible, I just wish the food was as good.

• Pros: Service, Design
• Cons: , Price

06/18/04

Not worth it

by antibes23 at Citysearch

The food here is just so-so. It is outrageous that they charge so much for food that can be overcooked, dry, and just very plain. The only reason to go here is the scene. The service is OK, but certainly not good enough for this expensive of a restaurant.

• Pros: Scene
• Cons: , Price

05/22/04

You'll be SORRY!

by ooh_yummy at Citysearch

The food was not impressive. Small portions, high prices for food that was not worth it. We had lousy service as well. Kept having to ask that our glasses of water be refilled. This for $70/person!