It’s impossible not to notice the vibrant building on 28th and Glisan in NE Portland. The brightly hued facade, distracting passersby with walls of green, yellow, pink and orange, is home to Pambiche Cocina & Repostería Cubana, a restaurant dishing out deliciously authentic Cuban cuisine and beverages.
From the décor and the background music to the hospitality and flavors, Pambiche is an experience reminiscent of Old Havana, inspired by chef John Connell-Maribona’s grandmother, mother, aunt and godmother. Fortunately for us diners, chef Connell-Maribona was lured into the kitchen at a young age and has been practicing and perfecting his culinary prowess ever since.
In true Cuban style, the classic cocktail list centers on a single headliner, and this shining star is rum. Muddled, mixed, blended and shaken over ice, this liquor comes with a variety of versatile sidekicks from topical treats like pomegranate, guava and pineapple, to spicy tomato juice for those in need of a kick. The traditional Mojito is a safe crowd-pleaser whereas the Papa Hemingway (Bacardi Heritage Carta Blanca Rum, maraschino liqueur, fresh squeezed lime and grapefruit juices, blended with ice) packs a citrus punch perfect for those in need of a refreshing libation. Not looking for an adult beverage? Pambiche offers a diverse list of Cuban shakes, fresh juices and traditional Cuban soft drinks for those of all ages to enjoy. If caffeine is your pick of poison, a long list of traditional Cuban coffee and espresso delights is also available to order.
With a beverage list as lengthy as a novel, it comes as no surprise that Pambiche offers a wide variety of plates sure to appease any flavor-filled desire. Carnivores as well as those who are gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan will all find a dish to meet their fancy.
As put best by their About page, Cuban cuisine is “500 years of fusion culminating in a delicious mix of Spanish, African and Caribbean foods to make one dynamic cuisine.” The plates are rich with tropical root vegetables, hearty meats and stews, rice and beans. Be it you are in the mood for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a festive happy hour, Pambiche is the place to go for Cuban fare any time of the day. The Camarones al Ajillo (gulf prawns rubbed with fresh garlic and olive oil and sautéed in a sour orange and garlic mojo sauce) is one of the great options for seafood lovers while Lengua en Salsa (marinated pork tongue simmered tender for hours in a rich red sauce, built with bacon sofrito and tomatoes, scented with Thompson raisins and toasted almonds) may satisfy the more adventurous sorts.
Pambiche’s house made pastries and desserts cannot go without praise, but words simply cannot do them justice. Try the Guava Cheesecake, or anything sitting in the case that catches your eye, and savor the indulgence.
With a culture as complex and interesting as their dishes’ flavor profiles, Pambiche offers and experience you will not want to miss out on. The next time you are looking for a new breakfast, lunch, dinner or happy hour spot, look no farther than the brightly painted building on the 28th and Glisan.
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