My wife and I were drawn into Moreno’s after a stimulating day exploring Viñales and some surrounding caves by bike. I had been clipped by a taxi earlier in the day and gotten pretty banged up. Some of the adrenaline of my scare had worn...off, so we were mostly just looking for a place that seemed comfortable. The outdoor couches did trick, I was offered an ottoman for my battered leg, and after two well-mixed cancháncharas I was quickly on the road to recovery.
The service was truly wonderful. Viñales had experienced a brief blackout that afternoon (this happens occasionally in Cuba) which probably threw a wrench into Moreno’s food prep schedule. Our server could not have been more apologetic about some of our choices being unavailable, and actually sat with us and talked through the menu until we found the right combination of plates to share that sounded appetizing. In the end, it seemed as though the kitchen threw together a custom assortment of off-menu items that were prepared-to-order and absolutely delicious.
As NYC natives, we were warmed to hear some Marc Anthony classics blaring on their sound system (both in English and en Español!) and had a conversation with the host about how Marc is considered a treasure to both New Yorkers and Caribbean Latin folks alike. Lastly, despite the fact that we ate and drank to our hearts’ content, our bill left our wallets just as full as our stomachs. Just because a spot looks tourist-friendly does not mean it is a “tourist trap.” You should definitely check it out, especially if you enjoy drinking cocktails out of a pineapple on a comfy couch!More
