El Oriental de Cuba, Back on the Block Starting January

The little Cuban place that could is still poised to make a come back. City Councilors Hennigan and Tobin were on the scene in July after El Oriental on Centre St. in Jamaica Plain had apparently been firebombed. Bostonist has walked by longingly these past few months waiting for the place to be rebuilt. An outpouring of support from the local community through cards posted to the plywood covering the exterior to donations made at a benefit concert will help to reopen one of our favorite Cuban restaurants.

Nobel Garcia, proprietor of El Oriental de cuba, is currently operating his catering business at Nuestra Culinary Ventures, a communal kitchen business development project helping new businesses (and recently displaced ones, apparently) get off their feet. The JP Gazette reports that Garcia saw good business from Menino’s mayoral camp. team and Felix Arroyo in his race for re-election to a city council seat. Garcia had hoped to have the Centre St. store open in December. Bostonist was hopeful of the promise of Maduros and some of that deliciously dense flan wouldn't have to wait until after the new year. Unfortunately due to reported red-tape (we assume this is tape in the form of permits and building codes to which the new El Oriental space must now adhere) the Cuban kitchen won’t reopen until a target date of mid-January. Espresso (or Expresso on their menu—that’s 'x' as in fast, not 's' as in steam) for under a buck will warm us up in the wintry Boston weather. Bostonist chatted with Nobel Garcia and he gave us a copy of the catering menu which largely resembles the menu at El Oriental de Cuba before the building burned, some deletions have been made but the standbys are still included. We’re sure those curious Chowhounds will be happy to hear the news.

El Oriental can be reached for catering at 617-594-9026
Photo courtesy of Ben Brophy