if it's your first time, make sure you try something involving rice and beans - most entrees come with either black beans & white rice or congri (mixed rice and beans) on the side as well as plantains or yucca. puerco asado, with yucca con mojo (cassava in a garlic & lemon sauce) and congri is wonderful, as are the chuleta ahumada (smoked pork chop) and rabo de res (oxtail stew). i've not tried the cuban tamale, but the tamal hondureno is a great variation on the tamale theme - steamed in a banana leaf and stuffed with olives and stewed pork. the cuban sandwich is also top-drawer for those not hungry enough to tackle the entrees, which are big enough to share.

i'd stay away from some of the steaks, which can be a bit chewy. all the stews are excellent, though.

for dessert, definitely try the bread pudding. the centerstage critic missed out by going with the more mundane (though tasty) flan.