Cuban in Detroit

Armando's stays open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (until 2 a.m. the rest of the week), and the post-bar crowd that spills over from Dearborn and downtown Detroit's clubs can choose from the regular Mexican fare-or Mexican breakfast. They roll in at 2-3 a.m., and, depending on what's happening, there can be a line outside at 3 a.m. Owner Cecilia Benedict approves of the late night crowd, and says watching buzzed patrons, churlish lovers and new friends can make it worth working late.

Café Habana offers excellent, reasonably priced Cuban cuisine in a fun, funky-chic setting, along with Latin music and a full bar, in downtown Royal Oak’s ever-expanding restaurant hub. The Caribbean nation’s food is simple, with Spanish and Central American influences, but substantial. Grilled meats dominate platos principales, enhanced by fresh and spicy marinades and sauces.

Frita Batidos offers an array of cuban-inspired sandwiches and intriguing side-dishes.  Their quirky drinks include tropical milkshakes, coffee drinks and ginger-lime soda.  A street-vendor motif and communal, picnic-table seating add a bit of whimsy.

Familiar elements from the Caribbean are here — plantains, yuca, papas rellenas, thin beefsteak and lots of black beans and rice. Bistec de palomilla is steak pounded very thin, marinated in mojo sauce (orange and lemon juice, garlic, onion, sugar), then lightly breaded and well-fried. It’s served with fried onions on top and a side of plantains. Fried and breaded pork are on the menu too, as are lobster and shrimp, arroz con pollo, and several paellas.