We arrived about fifteen minutes early so we hung out in the bar area until our table was ready. The restaurant is beautiful. They have nailed the Cuban theme with paintings, plants, pillars, and rich greens balanced with earthy tones. The bar area is large with high top tables set up along the perimeter. The bar area was also slammed at 6:30 so odds of getting a seat at it are pretty slim. It was also a bit loud in the bar area, between the music and all of the people.
The dining room offers a very different feel. It's not a huge space but the soaring ceilings make it feel large and airy. The same music that was playing in the bar, plays in the dining room but it's softer and adds to the ambience. There's a perfect level of hustle and bustle that makes you feel like you are definitely at the "it" place without making it hard to talk to the person across the table from you.
We tried out several different small plates. Each plate was well put together, with a beautiful presentation, but certainly not out of this world. I think my favorite dish was the donuts and "coffee" featuring hot rum donuts and a coffee cheesecake with a toasted, whipped marshmallow topping.
The drinks were the real star at this place. JO enjoyed a gin and tonic and one of the mocktails and I tried the mojito, beautifully balanced and garnished, and the signature frozen strawberry daiquiri. It was delicious!
On our way out we had to weave our way through the crowded bar area. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the fashion on display~ black jumpsuits with plunging necklines, sequins galore, and lots of high heels. Overall I really loved the experience and would recommend Mariel but I would say the bar scene leans more towards "scene" and less towards "relaxing."
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