A report by Dana Massey-Todd. As previously reported on tablehopper, Oakland’s CAÑA CUBAN RESTAURANT (musica alert!) was opening in the former Circolo location in the Mission. Well, it is now open softly for lunch. The new outpost features many of the same Cuban dishes as the Oakland one, though they’ve also added a wood-fired oven to the kitchen for cocas, or flatbreads, and other fire-roasted choices.
For now, Caña is only serving lunch until its liquor license comes through, at which point there will be a full bar with a list of rum-focused specialty cocktails and dinner service. The lunch menu features sandwiches, including a Cubano, of course, plus empanadas, salads, and a nice coffee selection with Roast Co. beans. While Caña isn’t open for dinner yet, there is a sample sneak peek menu with entrée platters and plenty of small dishes for sharing.
The space is lovely, with a tropical/industrial elegance thing going on. The open kitchen has a counter if you like to watch the action, and the ceilings are tall, with exposed and painted ducts plus crystal chandeliers for a fun contrast. There’s a glassed-in water fountain at the entryway, and elegant tile along the walls and floor, plus hardwood in the dining area. While the preservation of the hard industrial surfaces looks great, they might run into a bit of a noise control problem once things pick up and they add the planned live music and dancing. But then again, maybe after a few mojitos and a turn on the dance floor, no one will mind.
There’s an upstairs mezzanine that large groups can reserve, plus plans for booths and humidors for cigars. There are reportedly ideas about some sort of cigar salon situation, though whether that will be inside, outside, or even legal is still unclear. There will also be weekend brunch, in addition to the coming dinner service. For now, though, it’s open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, and do note that they are cash only. 500 Florida St. at Mariposa, 415-580-7888.
The dining room at Caña. Photo: Dana Massey-Todd. © tablehopper.com.
