La Campana

CA4
Style of place: Contemporary Bar
Cover: CUC 5
Style of music: Electronic music / DJ
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service
Best for: Wonderful location for private parties
Worst for: Out in the boondocks of Havana. Mixed food reviews.
Calle 212, No. 2904 entre 29 y 31, La Lisa, Playa
(+53)7271 - 1073
Open 10am-midnight

  • Chill out bar and grill, La Campana seems at first glance more an upmarket homestead finca (farm) than anything else. This is an upmarket ranchón beside a nice pool. The tables are comfortable and well furnished; a breeze takes away the hot and heavy summer night air. Depending on the night, you may also be able to combine dinner with a concert. Kelvis Ochoa, Descemer Bueno, David Torrens and D Jazz have all played poolside recently. On these nights, starting around 11pm, the place gets packed to the rafters with a trendy young crowd. Sunday lunch is more family time.

    The menu has evolved since its original opening. Initially, the menu had everything under the sun including sushi, which inevitably led to a certain amount of inconsistency. More recently, efforts have been made to focus on fewer dishes, which are done well. Sushi is no more and instead a lot more effort is being made to cook good quality meats on the grill (parrilla). At present, there is an all-you-can-eat meat extravaganza for CUC 12.95, which seems great value. There remain a number of tapas (seviche, Carpaccio, gazpacho etc.), as well as Chateaubriand, freshly caught fish and a range of paellas. The intention remains to create good quality dishes made as much as possible on the premises without excessive elaboration: ‘Hecho en casa’ (home-made) using fresh local ingredients.

    Where La Campana really comes into its own is for private parties, functions, weddings, you name it. They have the space and capacity to cater for a large crowd and the nature of the space naturally lends itself to a private party. Otherwise, there is perhaps not the single-minded focus on the quality of the food to merit a trip to the suburbs unless you are on for the after dinner party, which is to be recommended.

    This has to be one off the best desserts in the city (maybe in the island). It is a rendition of the classic Spanish sweet delicacy made from a sweet milk pudding deep-fried to form a perfect crispy crust dusted with cinnamon. Neither too sweet nor too rich or too much it is just great! La Campana also offers a great variety of grilled food and wines at a good price in a family friendly environment. The only down of this place is its location, it is out in the Western suburbs (at La Lisa just behind Pedrigal), nevertheless the Leche Frita is worth the trip and if you have the energy they have some great parties at the weekend.

    
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