Hit S.F. rooftop reborn with colorful new bar
Cubita will open June 6 at 2516 Mission St., formerly the home of El Techo, an oft-packed Mission District rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city. It's the latest project from Back of the House, a Bay Area restaurant group that ran El Techo as well as Argentinian steakhouse Lolinda on the building's ground floor and popular spots Super Duper Burger, Flores and Beretta.
Owner Adriano Paganini has wanted to open a Cuban spot for years. Recently, it hit him: He could convert the 12-year-old El Techo, which despite its intended direction as a Latin American complement to the downstairs Lolinda turned into a Mexican bar where people ate tacos and, he said, 'were drinking margaritas by the gallon.'
Paganini has never been to Cuba, but he hopes to channel the country's food, music and allure. Cubita will be a bar first, with cocktails like the Havana Heat with dark rum, passionfruit, lemon, maraschino liqueur and a high-proof rum flame; or a spin on a Carajillo with dark rum, mezcal, Licor 43 and spiced coffee. There will be daiquiris and mojitos, plus shareable punch bowls. The bar will make its own cola from scratch for the Cuba Libre, an iconic rum and Coke cocktail.
Customers will be able to snack or put together a full meal from the menu. Expect dishes like empanadas stuffed with ropa vieja, stewed beef; tostones and grilled chicken wings marinated in citrusy mojo. Sandwiches will come in the form of a Cubano with house-made lechon and a hamburguesa with a chorizo-beef patty and grilled onions. There are two large entrees: a fried, whole rock cod for two with arroz congri, tostones and tomato salad; and lechon asado, or roasted pork shoulder marinated in green mojo, served with sides.
The open-air Cubita will be a colorful, vibrant space, with checkerboard floors, tropical pink accents and murals. The owners hope the vibe and prices will feel approachable. Almost the entire menu is under $20, except for the entrees.
'It's more glamorous than El Techo but at the same time … somewhat affordable. San Francisco needs more places like this,' Paganini said.
Back of the House partnered with CubaCaribe, a San Francisco nonprofit whose mission is to preserve Cuban culture, and hopes it will be able to provide music and events at the bar. The nonprofit also gave feedback on the menu.
Cubita. Opening June 6. Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 2516 Mission St., San Francisco. cubitasf.com
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