The Havana Room: Poolside Cuban Cuisine in Northern Liberties

Grilled dry-aged New York strip with chimichurri; Image via Facebook

By Danya Henninger

As part of the rebranding of Northern Liberties’ short-lived Arrow Swim Club into the North Shore Beach Club (the $1000 annual membership is now down to $500 per year), The Havana Room has opened in the poolside restaurant space that was formerly Chenango. Open to the general public, the eatery will serve Cuban cuisine from chef Angel Diaz Rivera, who attended culinary school in Mexico.

Beside walls painted with colorful murals of Havana street scenes, diners can partake in small plates that include island classics like plantain chips, ceviches and empanadas (perhaps a worthy competitor for those at 943?) and sandwiches - the infamous Cubano is definitely on the list, as is a manchego-topped veggie burger ($7-$14).

Entrees are more ambitious: those who’ve already done their swimming for the day can chow down on a platter of oven-roasted suckling pig or slurp up a grand bowl of sopa de mariscos, a Latin-style cioppino with shrimp, fish, octopus and mussels in a spicy broth ($18-$26). Hours for the month of May are 11 AM-11 PM, Monday-Thursday, 11 AM-midnight, Friday-Saturday and 11 AM-9 PM on Sundays.

1031 Germantown Ave.; 215-600-2583