The location is absolutely beautiful. Across from a gorgeous lake in a picturesque neighborhood. We were greeted immediately when we walked in. We mentioned we had a reservation but we were early and they were able to accommodate us. The indoor dining area is lovely with that old school Florida feel. Beautiful spanish and Cuban decor. There also an outdoor seating area which was empty on our visit due to the rain storm, humidity and heat. Our waiter was on top of everything, friendly and very knowledgeable. The food, I grew up on Cuban food and cant help but compare all Cuban food to my dad's cooking. I had the lechón platter and it was good. The lechón was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The yuca lacked flavor for me and was a bit bland as were the black beans. The rice was good. I was able to try a bite of picadillo and it was really good! I also had a bit of a Cuban sandwich which was a little different, but it was really really good! We brought family from out of town and they were all very pleased with their meals. We will definitely be back. read more

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Made an reservation online and the hostess was a bit confused and I ven though we had reservation for 4 people, they sat us at a table with place settings and chairs for 3. So there was a quick shuffle. Mylee was our waitress and she was so nice, knowledgeable about the restaurant and the food. We had the croquetas, crab cakes and tomato salad to start and it did not disappoint. Had a mojito and it was phenomenal. Had fish for our main course and it was good. Would definitely return. read more

I have been to the locations in Tampa, St. Augies, & here in Celebration. They are all WONDERFUL! I love the way it looks inside. All of the decore is really unique and adds to the atmosphere. Today we started with the Sangria (Tinto). It was lovely! I myself don't particularly care for ice, & our server was kind enough to make a pitcher for us without it. It was so bright and fuity. The citrus is freshly squeezed into the pitcher. Our friends accidentally gave us the wrong time, so we ended up sitting at the table for, 55 minutes on our own. However, I don't know if I would call that a mistake, since we ended up drinking most of the sangria ourselves, and it was lovely! I had the Black Bean patties and they were VERY small. My mom had the salad & soup combo. She really enjoyed it. I will say this spot tends to run a little expensive, but the food is great and the atmosphere is lovely. read more

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The Columbia is a great lunch or dinner spot for visitors and regulars alike! There's so many options on the menu. I landed on the skirt steak and rice. I did end up asking for chimichurri sauce to put on top since it seemed to be missing something. That made it much better. The inside was clean and our waitress was pleasant. I've been to the Tampa and Clearwater locations as well. All three locations are gorgeous! read more

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Sunday afternoon place is full. Even reservations had to wait. Got my drink mango daiquiri was great. But when the salad came it had a thermal receipt in the bowl touching the food. Who does that. That is so unhygienic. I had to explain to our server about the dangers( look it up) it upset me. Got my plate palomilla steak( I didn't even see it worth taking a pic after the salad), was ok( maybe I'm being biased because of being upset). I will not be returning. Server said that this is how they always do it and no one has ever complained. Wow. My advice to management look up what dangers thermal paper has to the body. Change that policy of putting anything on top of food that people are going to eat. Not a good look. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

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Had a late reservation that was for outside but it was raining and we got there early and they accommodated us early and inside. The server was super fun and attentive. I was craving the 1905 salad and I got a full serving and it did not disappoint! Absolutely delicious. I have been eating at Columbia in Ybor since I was a little girl and it still is the best salad ever. Will definitely be back. read more

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Great food. Truly amazing. Always has been. I've come to this location. For years. And it's a spot for my girlfriend and I to go to for our anniversary, and the past 2 anniversaries that we've gone we've truly had horrible service. One time they sat us with no waiter. This time we got sat and the waitress took her time and or forever. I constantly saw her waiting around with other co workers or on her phone. I had my head on a swivel many times looking for her or even maybe management to notice it and make something happen. Other than that it's a loud environment nothing to go to in the hopes of a quieter ambiance but it's a family restaurant forsure. read more

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It was hard to find a restaurant that could accommodate a party of 18, but this establishment stepped up and gave us a great evening. We had one long table and we didn't feel crowded or too close to other tables. The servers were knowledgeable on the menu, answered all our questions, and came back with feedback in regards to my inquiry about seasoning and flavors. Warm bread wrapped in paper was delivered to each person. No hands in a bread basket! The tomato salad was a big hit with two members of our party. The black bean cake and scallop appetizers were also raved about. I had the salmon dinner and it was cooked perfectly. The rice was delicious, as well. I finished with a slice of key lime pie and decided that this was a place to come back to! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Grilled Salmon, rice, squash and zucchini - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

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The vibessssssssss were amazing. The service in this restaurant is so nice everyone is very respectful. The food was always made fresh. And the restaurant is well kept. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

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While staying in the area for business I looked up a place for lunch and came across Columbia. I wasn't aware they had more than just their original location in Ybor City, so I went to try it. Service was welcoming and helpful. The venue and décor was beautiful, very much like a Cuban place... tropical and nicely done. Their menu it loaded with lots of amazing options, they even have a half and half option, consisting of half a sandwich or salad with a cup of soup - A great deal! I started with their Spanish Bean Soup and it was fabulous! I loved the porky, smoky flavor it had. Next up was half their 1905 salad and half their Cubano. The salad is finished tableside before being served and it looked and tasted great! Nice, crispy lettuce and fresh veggies in it. The Cubano was nice, it had a decent amount of meat in it, I just wish I got more of the mustard and pickle in each bite. Overall, I really enjoyed lunch and would recommend stopping in! read more

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Stopped by Columbia in Celebration for lunch and it never disappoints. From the warm La Segunda Central Bakery Cuban bread to the iconic 1905 Salad, you really can't go wrong. We shared empanadas and crab cakes for tapas, both great starters. I went with the mojo grilled chicken sandwich for lunch, and it was layered with flavor--creamy aioli, lettuce, Swiss cheese, roasted peppers, and grilled chicken pressed between fresh Cuban bread. Already looking forward to coming back to try more of their featured specials. read more

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First time here, came with a group of friends, there was 8 of us total. The decor inside was fun to look at. But we weren't there for decor, we came for food. The food didn't disappoint. The mixed drinks we all thought could have been better. The service was good, timing was a bit off with appetizers and main meal. But overall everyone was happy with the food. read more

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It pains me to write this review as the Ybor City location has given us some lovely meals over the years. Overall the flavors at Columbia in celebration are great. We ordered the gambas to start, and I got my usual favorite as an entree...Ropa Vieja. Service was friendly, laid back good atmosphere good sized restaurant. When the plate came, I was pretty taken aback. Ropa Vieja isn't a filet mignon, it's not a super high end meal...it's humble. The portion was absolutely abysmal. It was predominantly tomato with maybe 2 small chunks of meat. Paying that price made me feel bad. I have noticed Columbia hasn't raised its prices much, but would gladly pay more in accordance with how inflation has affected businesses for a good portion. Shrinkflation is a thing... but just feels like I was ripped off. Do better. Or train your chefs better. read more

4 is the correct score for this place. Classiest Colombian restaurant I have been involved with. I sat in the bar and The whole experience gave me Italian vibes, but Colombian. I got the 1905 salad which was very reminiscent of a monkey salad. It was savory. The margarita garrison was a classic margarita made with the finest ingredients. And the pollo meal was a breaded chicken breast with some rice and asparagus veggies side. I may have over-savoried myself (i invented that word, it's a very good word. Some people don't like it. But a lot of people really like that word, A Lot.) read more

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This Columbia restaurant has been in the Celebration area for years! We used to come a lot for lunch, but it's been a while. We stopped for lunch yesterday and it brought great memories. The salad it's amazing! That's one of their signature items. Yes... we get excited about that salad. And they make it right in front of you. As always, service is great. Due to it is the Celebration town center it is a hit or miss on how quickly you can get in and out. So if you are in a rush then it is best go before the rush time. read more

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Wow! What a better experience than the original in Tampa! I must have come there on the wrong day. The menu at this place is huge! I really wanted to get the El Bambino steak as I was denied that in Tampa. Finally got it and loved the flavor and the tenderness. The big surprise on the plate was a solid Spanish rice! My table also shared a side salad which was more than enough for an app size for all! The service here was great and old school! We had a true professional waiter which made us feel special! The setup also allows quite a few large groups so grab the family and come to this hidden gem just outside of Disney! read more

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ALWAYS a Must when we are in the Celebration area. GREAT Staff and the Food is to Die for. From the warm bread, the Table made Sangria and salad to the Entrees, you will NOT be disappointed. read more

I have been to all of the locations of Columbia restaurant and I highly recommend it! The food is delicious and the atmosphere and Service are great. Definitely a quintessential Florida restaurant experience. read more

The food was delicious! I have black bean soup and rice. Husband had steak and our friend had a chicken sandwich. It was cooked and seasoned really well. Our server Alyssa was amazing and she even brought us a dessert to celebrate our anniversary. I highly recommend the Celebration location. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Flan and guava cake. - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

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Great place to go with friends! I suggest sitting outside if you can when the weather is nice! Don't skip out on the sangria (not pictured) and table side salad!! We sat down and our server got everything going pretty fast which was great and everyone was super nice. read more

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The ambiance was excellent with the most beautiful decor and the most attentive waiters! The bread was also delicious at the start. I got the famous salad (with turkey! Gobbled that up before taking a pic) and the gazpacho - it was so delicious! Not the best salad I've ever had but I am dairy free so perhaps the cheese is supposed to make the difference! The drinks were made freshly table side - and it was incredibly entertaining to watch! I came here for a dinner with my coworkers - and we all had a fabulous time! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

Location- can be difficult to find parking. I didn't see my valet. There are spots in the streets. Nice clean modern with large br area to the left as you enter and tables to the right. There's a area where you can purchase items specific to the restaurant The 1905 salad was f Pretty good,regular large portion can me a meal, started with warm Cuban bread. And some app shrimps and scallops. All good. Entree was the seafood linguine pasta and it didn't disappoint loaded with some good tasting shrimp Friend had Paella and that was good as well. read more

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Food looked great, let's start with the positive. Was it hot? No. Yellow rice was cold, as if preportioned in back held on the side station waiting to be picked up. Location is in down town Celebration. Dining room was brightly lit, even welcoming...Upscale dining they say....Service? I felt like I was in a breakfast diner. Server, Alma, brought water and asked do you know what you want yet? We did ask for a few minutes to decide, intending to order wine first but she turned on her heel and left us. On her return she asked so whaddaya want then. For what was supposed to be a great night out, the service made it otherwise. read more

This place is amazing. The inside is beautiful. They have a small bar area, a dining room and outside seating that is heated. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. We ordered a couple drinks at the bar and they were very well made but the star here is the food. The black bean soup was delicious and we adored the dressing on the salad. We also ordered a couple fish dishes at the table which were all cooked perfectly. Finished our meal off with multiple delicious desserts. Would absolutely recommend and visit again read more

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We stop at the Celebration Columbia restaurant fairly regularly. I don't think we've ever had anything that wasn't fantastic. Their 1905 salad is really really good, and I like to get double ham and turkey for mine which throws the protein level over the top. The bar is really good and the weight staff is extremely friendly. read more

Love this spot! We always stop here when we're in Celebration. I cannot stress this enough: TRY THE 1905 SALAD! Seriously one of the BEST salads I've ever had. Get the half salad and half cubano, you will not regret it! Service is always great, such sweet staff! Unique, bright, and beautiful! If you're in Celebration, this is a must try spot! read more

Columbia Restaurant - 1905 Salad - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

Amazing experience at this iconic Cuban institution. I ate the best Cuban sandwich I have ever had here. The flavors were perfectly balanced, not too strong and perfectly blended. The service was amazing as was the decoration. I also enjoyed the crema catalán, as well as the churros. The bread was delicia as well. I highly recommend this fine establishment. read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants whenever I stay at our timeshare. There is something about the ambiance and decor of the restaurant that I love. The artifacts and artwork from Spain and Cuba makes it feel like I have taken a step away from America. The food is excellent. We had the Empanadas de Picadillo which are chock full of tasty meat filling. The story of these empanadas is that the founders' mother and grandmother, Adela Hernandez Gonzmart, always had her empanadas ready when they visited her. The empanadas start with her recipe for picadillo, made with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomato, onions, raisins and olives, wrapped in two pastry turnovers. We shared Columbia's legendary salad tossed tableside. Crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins ® Worcestershire sauce and our famous garlic dressing. The award-winning salad won honors from USA Today as "One of 10 Great Places to Make a Meal Out of a Salad." The signature salad, named for the year the restaurant was founded in Tampa's Latin district of Ybor City, was inspired by immigrants to the Cigar City: Romano cheese from the Sicilians and the famous garlic dressing used by Cubans to marinate fresh roast pork, plus Florida tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, julienne of baked ham and Swiss cheese. Our main dishes were the Grouper Jimmy (Boneless fillet of fresh grouper, seasoned, grilled and topped with fresh blue crab meat, drizzled with lemon butter sauce. Served with yellow rice and asparagus) and El Combo de Cuba which is a sample of the flavors of Cuba which is a feast of roast pork, boliche, empanada de picadillo, platanos, black beans, yuca and yellow rice. I had a Mojito which was tall, refreshing and delicious. Since the Columbia opened its doors, people have enjoyed this flavorful and refreshing beverage made with Bacardi Superior Rum, muddled hierabuena (mint), lime juice and sparkling water. Our server, Aleteia, was charming and attentive. She made an excellent recommendation without hesitation for my partner's dish which my partner loved. read more

What a great dining experience! Our server was fabulous and helped us make decisions on what to order. The environment of the restaurant makes you feel like you are in a far away place or going back in time. The food was outstanding. We had the stuffed mushroom, croquetas de pollo and the palomilla. We also ordered the kids chicken fingers meal and it came with berries which made my son very happy! Everything was delicious and I hope we will be back soon. read more

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Our Floridian cousins wanted to bring us to a new place, and they chose Columbia Restaurant in Celebration. The restaurant was large and really beautifully decorated. The 1905 salad was so strongly recommended, and we couldn't say no. We also couldn't say no to a table Sangria. Both were prepared table-side and were delicious. Others in our party ordered the Cuban sandwich, black bean soup, Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas , and gazpacho. The portion sizes were generous, and we left feeling very well fed. Pro tip - look at the menu in advance - it is so dense - almost Cheesecake Factory-esque! It was almost overwhelming, but so good! On-street parking was a little hard, but not impossible. Start to finish, this restaurant was an unexpected treat! Don't skip the gift shop on the way out! read more

The perfect place to celebrate a milestone anniversary, we chose Columbia Restaurant in Celebration Florida as our destination. Our sweetest server, Diara, served up our house favorites of 1905 salad (the freshest ingredients), La Completa (a smorgasbord of columbian dishes), delicious key lime pie, and sangria to make our evening special. Definitely a dining experience worth its wait in gold. Diara kept us well attended and provided our leisurely dining the splendid ending to the evening. She asked us what was the secret to a lasting relationship. The answer is love, kindness, patience, forgiveness and of course celebration with great food and caring service. Please to report all accomplished! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Our sweet server Diara, 1905 salad, crusty bread, La Completa YBO, key lime pie - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

This location is great. We were able to park nearby and take a nice walk to the restaurant. We went for lunch and there was ample indoor and outdoor seating available. The hostesses and waitstaff had great recommendations for my partner who had never been to any Columbia restaurant location. We split two tapas plates, the crab croquettes and Scallops. The scallops were simple but tasty and really struck a nice balance as an appetizer. The croquettes weren't either of our favorite. Although the crab spoke well, they were lacking spice and flavor throughout, and I took to drowning them in the available hot sauce and lemon juice to add any taste. My entree was the half Cuban/half salad with the 905 salad made table side. Both were extremely tasty, no complaints there. My wife ordered the seafood paella which was cooked well but was a mixed bag with some gritty mussels/clams and off balance of chicken and pork to seafood. Overall we're definitely interested in revisiting, but will probably swap a couple of the items we ordered going forward. read more

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A few years ago I ate at Columbia Restaurant by the cruise port in Tampa and the food was fantastic! I saw this location when I was in Orlando and jumped at the chance to go. The black bean soup and the 1905 Salad are fantastic and worth the visit alone, but the whole menu looks amazing. The red sangria and the key lime pie were excellent as well. It was a beautiful evening to sit outside on the patio, which was good because it was loud inside the restaurant. Service was prompt and attentive. There is a small gift shop with ceramics and other items for purchase. I bought a garlic storage jar for a souvenir and the anniversary cookbook so I can make these when I'm at home over a thousand miles from the nearest Columbia Restaurant! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

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We stopped by for lunch today at Columbia in Celebration. We've been here multiple times, and the anesthetic inside is so awesome! It definitely feels like you are in a restaurant in Spain. The 1905 salad is the best salad I ever had. It's made table side and is so fresh. The black bean soup was very filling and great to share. I had the Cuban sandwich and its up there with one of the best Cuban sandwiches I've ever had. Overall if you are in Celebration, I'd highly recommend giving Columbia a try! read more

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We went here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. The food was very good. The chicken was very tender and the breadcrumbs were full of flavor. The salad was great too! The churros dessert was a big portion too. The dipping sauces of caramel and berry stood out the most for the churros, and the chocolate was just okay. They are accommodating for dietary restrictions. The atmosphere is very good too and it's a fancy place! There usually is plenty of street parking available too. The servers were very attentive too and kept our water glasses filled up! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Chicken Manchego - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

For our next meal, we visited Columbia, a Spanish/Cuban restaurant. My wife and her daughter-in-law shared a pitcher of sangria. Of course since we am writing this review, I had to take a taste. Very fruity and delicious. They brought out Cuban bread, which was good. We then opted for a cup of Spanish Bean soup. I like my food (and soup) to be hot when I receive it, and this was perfect. This soup is garbanzo beans, simmered with smoked ham, chorizo sausage and potatoes in a broth of chicken and ham. For our entrees, we shared the Melruza al la Rusa. This is described as a mild and slightly sweet fish with tender, meaty white flakes, grilled and garnished with lemon butter, hard boiled egg, and parsley. My wife's son had the Lechon Asado "1905." This is a pork shoulder marinated in a garlic citrus sauce, and slowly roasted until tender, and was it ever tender! His wife had the original "1905" salad. The signature salad, named for the year the restaurant was founded in Tampa's Latin district of Ybor City, was inspired by immigrants to the Cigar City: Romano cheese from the Sicilians an the famous garlic dressing used by Cubans to marinate fresh roast pork, plus Florida tomatoe iceberg lettuce*, julienne of baked ham and Swiss cheese. She couldn't finish it all of course so the rest was boxed up. For dessert, we tried the Flan and Key Lime pie Pie, and both were excellent. Our server, Steven, was quiet and respectful, making this a relaxing meal. He was on top of refilling our waters. If this type of cuisine appeals to you, then rush to Columbia Restaurant. read more

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With one of the most gorgeous restaurant interiors in the United States and impeccable service, Columbia is a safe pick if you want to impress family or friends visiting from abroad (though perhaps not if they are visiting from Cuba, as it'd be a bit too similar to what they could get at a high-end restaurant in Havana). This was my second time at Columbia, the first being in their location in Ybor City. The interior impressed me just like it did years ago when I went to the other location. It feels like you're transported to another time and country. Not only do the furniture, walls, and ceilings transport you to mid-20th-century, but the tablecloths, the silverware, and the waiters' classic uniforms do as well. We tried: - The complimentary Cuban bread, which, while I appreciated being warm and fresh, did not feel like a great option as a side. I'm of the opinion that Cuban bread belongs in Cuban sandwiches or for dunking into soup. - Their "legendary" 1905 Salad, "one of the 10 great places you can make a meal out of a salad" according to USA Today. Crisp iceberg lettuce, baked ham and Swiss cheese cut into julienne strips, olives, grated Romano cheese, and their "famous" garlic dressing. I can see why it pleases diners who are not into complex salads, and it is a safe option to start your meal with something fresh and light. The concept reminded me of the Olive Garden salad, but it was less acidic and included julienne ham and cheese, and no banana peppers. Hence, better. - Salmon Aurora: Fresh Verlasso Patagonian salmon topped with mojo verde; yellow rice and fresh vegetables on the side. It was perfectly seasoned and grilled, truly one of the best salmon dishes I've ever had in the US. The mojo tasted and looked like a chimichurri and paired very well with the slightly crisp top of the salmon. The yellow rice was soft, warm, and flavorful--exactly how I would picture comfort rice. Overall, a very positive experience. Me encantó y espero volver para probar uno de los platos de carne y el gazpacho! read more

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This was our first dinner at Orlando. We somehow ended up eating here bc a local recommended. A nice lady from our flight recommended us to go here in Celebration town. It's a super cute town. The ambiance was perfect! Food was perfect! The night was perfect! Even the beans were perfect! Mind you I do not like beans or platain but everything we ate here was so good that I can't believe Columbian cuisine can be this good. But the one thing I still cannot forget was the complimentary bread. I love bread so much that I cannot forget about how yummy their bread was. The bread pudding was amazing. I was so full I still finished it two days later bc it was that good! Crab cakes were filled with meat so if you like crab a lot, i definitely recommend ordering this dish! Boliche was super hearty, comforting, and warm. Perfect food for colder season but still super yummy when I had it. The meat was super tender it just breaks down in your mouth and pairing up with rice and bean with gravy was perfect! read more

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Shoutout to Señor Stephen our server who made my fist visit to Columbia Restaurant a wonderful and memorable diining experience. The food was super delicious and fresh. My family and I sat comfortably and enjoyed the relaxing ambience of the dining area. The entire staff was friendly and professional. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Celebration, Florida

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All of it! From start to finish! It was fantastic! We got the 1905 salad and it was great! That queso!!!!!! My wife had Mahi Veradero. I had the Saltadero Pollo. Our dinner was a symphony of homemade Cuban cuisine and I couldn't have been more impressed. It was absolutely perfect! Tiffany (our server) was supremely knowledgeable about the menu and her recommendations were perfectly on point. Ever sit on your friend's porch and share a homemade meal? Hanging out talking and having a great time? Yeah, that's the ambiance here...hanging out with friends and chilling while enjoying a nice homemade meal. I cannot say anything negative about this place and I cannot say enough good about it. We had an awesome time and enjoyed a fantastic meal. Thank you Columbia! read more