Havana Central Brings Real Cuban Cooking to Westchester County, New York

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Havana Central – known for its festive ambiance and high-quality, authentic Cuban comfort food – today announced the location of its newest restaurant. The latest property is slated to open at 238 Market St. at Ridge Hill Village in Westchester County, New York on Apr. 4, 2012.

The brainchild of entrepreneur Jeremy Merrin, Havana Central celebrates traditional Cuban cuisine, culture and lifestyle. "We are eagerly anticipating the opening of Havana Central at Westchester's Ridge Hill Village, our first location outside of New York City," said Merrin, Havana Central's founder and president. "Havana Central is proud to be taking this step toward our goal of becoming a nationwide group of high-quality, large-format Cuban restaurants. Our new location will offer the same authentic Cuban cuisine, delicious mojitos and live Latin music that our guests have come to love. We invite you to step in and be transported to pre-revolutionary Havana. Buen Provecho!"

Havana Central's new location is situated within Ridge Hill Village, the largest mixed-use outdoor shopping center in the New York metropolitan area. The restaurant will seat 235 guests, open Monday – Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Friday – Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. The restaurant will employ approximately 120 team members from the local community.

The 8,100 sq. ft. restaurant will transport guests to another place and time through its swanky design elements. Garrett Singer Architects, the firm behind the existing Havana Central locations, is creating a vibe that conjures images of a pre-revolution Havana through the use of warm tropical colors, brushed steel, old woods, vintage black-and-white photos of legendary Cuban stars and 1950s-era artifacts.

The menu, created by long-time Executive Chef Stanley Licairac, offers diners the chance to sample the best that Cuba has to offer. From the comfort of signature Handmade Empanadas to a perfectly executed Ropa Vieja, Chef Stanley proffer an expertly crafted menu of traditional recipes infused with fresh ingredients and seasonal specialties.

Havana Central pays sincere homage to both traditional and contemporary Cuban dishes as well as the country's signature cocktails. Crafted with the help of a leading mixologist, the restaurant's CLASSIC Mojito recipe is still a closely guarded secret more than a decade after its creation. Seven varieties of sangria – including Red, White, Champagne and Port – are served fresh-to-order and handcrafted tableside in true Cuban style. The wine list is comprised of varieties from Latin America and Spain, a full bar is offered along with a wide selection of beer.

For additional information, please visit www.havanacentral.com.

About Havana Central

Havana Central evokes the 1950s golden era of Cuba, capturing Havana's heyday as the world's most tantalizing playground. Through its festive ambiance, vibrant decor and mouth-watering food, dining at Havana Central is like taking a mini vacation. Executive Chef Stanley Licairac's traditional dishes like Vaca Frita, Ropa Vieja and Arroz con Pollo are an unmistakable celebration of Cuban cuisine. The cocktail list includes the best Mojitos and Sangrias in New York; the wine list is filled with Latin American favorites. Havana Central Times Square opened in 2005, followed by Havana Central Upper West Side in 2007. Hours and menus vary by location. For more information, visit www.havanacentral.com.

SOURCE Havana Central