Isla Cuban-Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar — Restaurant in La Palma

On our way back from Disney, we stopped at seal beach and then decided to get early dinner at a Cuban place before heading back to Arizona. I’ve had Cuban food in Florida and Puerto Rico. This was first time with my family trying Cuban food and California. We were party of 10. I picked this place because of the reviews. At 4p or so on Sunday, I called ahead of time asking if they needed a reservation since I’ll be driving 30mins to be at the location and we are a large group. I was assured no reservation was needed and they will accommodate us. When we got there I was told they had no tables. We would have to sit outdoor in the heat with no shade. It was 445p, bright and sunny. No way we would sit in the heat with the kids. I was surprised how they didn’t care. I talk to the manager and told him I called before driving and were driving back to Arizona and I talk to his staff. He asked me to wait and confirmed with his staff that I had actually called. He then somehow accommodated us and said we need to leave before 630p before his next reservation. I should have just left with my folks but I really wanted my family to try Cuban food and the reviews were great; so, I agreed. We ordered a lot - appetizers and entrees. Place was nice and clean. However, 2 of the entrees took forever and so my sister and I had to sit and wait while other shared and started eating. We all were starving. 2 of the entrees for 2 guest didn’t come out until everyone had already eaten and ready to leave. When it finally came out we had already eaten so we had to pack/Togo the 2 entrees. The food was ok. Not at all close to what I ate in PR and Florida. Worst part of our trip: after we were done eating, we headed back to Arizona. We stopped at temple which was 2 hours away from the restaurant. As soon as my sister got out of the car, she started throwing up. She throw up the whole food and fell super sick. She had rashes all over her face. We got her allergy and pepto tablets and it took her 3 hours to stabilize. We reached Arizona at 3:30a on Monday instead of our planned time 11:30p. It was disaster. Wasted $350+ over this place. Never ever will I go to this place again. Not...

OMG come with an empty stomach because you will need it!!! from the Yuca and Platain chips with a garlic sauce that OH my goodness, you will ask for refulls! I'll get back to the food in a bit... let's cover the restaurant first... the decor is simple but very nice, I think what gives it a great flair is all of the chandeliers and the picture on the back wall of Old Havana plus the other pictures that adorn the restaurant. The chandeliers are also on their outside cover sitting area. The bar displays all kinds of great looking bottles that I know are the main ingredients of some pretty delicious drinks; I know, I had two (Isla Margarita with Tamarind and La Mulata). Let's talk service, they have great staff, all are very knowledgeable on the menu (ask them for recommendations or about the menu) very helpful and very attentive. They serve you with a great big smile! Señora Deysi (owner's mom) is very sweet and friendly and you can ask her about the menu as well, she will certainly guide you in the right direction...not that their is any way you can make a wrong decision here as all of their dishes are Delish. Ok, to the food... I had the Mofongo with Pork, my husband had a Cubano, my sister had the Ox tale and our friends had the Lechon Sandwich, Pollo a la plancha and another Mofongo with Shrimp...let me tell you, there were no left overs, that is how good the food is and their portions are just right. Bravo to chef Ridel, you are killing it! If at the end of your meal you still have room in your belly for dessert, you must have the cheesecake and most deffenetly their Rice Pudding; the recipe for it has been in their family for many years. They also have live music I believe on the weekends. It actually starts tonight. Congratulations to #Isla. I am so happy to welcome you to our little city...

We first discovered this place after watching Chef and wanting to try a cubano and that we did on our first visit during the day which wasn't as delicious as the movie makes it out to be. That is not to say it wasn't good, it was great! I would still go and grab a cubano again sometime.

Second time we aimed for a friday evening date night to listen to some live cuban music. Called and was able to get an estimate of the wait time and when music was happening. The great thing about this place is the parking not isn't crowded so always easy to find parking. Got there and was seated right away with no issue and just before music was in full gear! Music was a little aloud so we opted to sit a little further in the restaurant so it wasn't as loud. This night we ate a little at home so we would fully enjoy a shared three course meal with each course shared. The appetizer we chose was the empanadas which were hot out of the fryer and delicious with the dipping sauce! Then we got the Pollo Asado Isla which in the mood lighting made the fried plantains look like something not to be mentioned but boy was the chicken fall off the bone delicious with the sauce and the fried plantains just tangy and sweet mmmm good. We of course finished off the meal with the flan cause I have a sweet tooth. Oh my goodness how heavy of a flan it was, thicc custardy goodness, heavy set lol. Very good pacing of the meal too I do applaud that. The waiter was also the one who was at the hosting stand so great job on monitoring and pacing the meal so we weren't idling waiting too long for each course.

Would definitely recommend coming on a live music night to enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy some...