CubaNu Restaurant & Lounge — Restaurant in Rahway

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines reservation as, "an arrangement to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's use; also : a promise, guarantee, or record of such engagement". However, from my experience on Saturday, 3/14/15, the staff at Cubanu's is not aware of this definition for table reservations.

I made an 8:30 p.m. reservation for my daughter's 22nd birthday celebration for a party of 8 family members the previous week, received a call from Cubanu to confirm the reservation on the 14th which I did. I also later called them to advise we were running about 10 minutes late due to the rain/foggy weather. We got to the restaurant at 8:40 p.m.

However, when we arrived at the restaurant, the hostess informed me that our table "was not ready". I was under the mistaken impression that perhaps they were setting the table for our party - very wrong! What I learned after waiting about 15 minutes, and asking the hostess again, was that there was no reserved table, they were waiting for a table to empty so they could seat us!

On top of not having a reserved table (as promised), the hostess was rudely abrupt in her explanation that "just as soon as we can get a party to leave, you'll be seated". I would have hated to be the seated party she referred to in this way. Also, it was another 15 minutes before a table became available and they began setting it for us.

When we entered the dining area, it was quickly evident that the restaurant size is much smaller than represented on its website's photo gallery (about the size of a medium living room). So, while they take reservations, they actually operate on a first come, first served basis.

With the above said, our waiter was professional and seemed to be doing his best to serve us despite obvious issues with the bar and kitchen (no margarita serving glasses, burned rice hidden in one of our dishes). The drinks and dishes that were served without incident, were good, but not great for the prices. The paella was the best - nicely flavorful.

There is a good DJ with a varied mix of Latin, popular and "throwback" music and after 10 there's fun dancing that is not like an over-hyped club scene. The lounge area is just that, so it's another smallish space.

All in all, the management would be well served to hire a professional hostess who knows how to speak to guests without being rude. If they're going to accept reservations, they need to honor them, or do away with the policy so that patrons don't have the expectation of reserved seating. Also, the kitchen as well as bar need to become more organized.

I might return and hope they've "polished" their operations...

I went to take my mother out for her birthday and we ordered what are empanadas and some other appetizer I don’t quite remember the food tasted old. We tasted it immediately. It tasted like it has been out for at least three days. Also, it had no flavor. We did not even barely touch it.As soon as I came in I went to the bathroom and asked the waiter to bring in a slice of cake for my moms bday and paid him a great tip it was my mom’s surprise cake .when my mom went to go speak to the waiter so she could speak to the manager’ about our meal The manager came out and accused us of not having money to pay for our meal he was not polite. He was being very sarcastic and lying about the food. we even asked him he could taste it for himself, but he did not want to , but still being the classy people we are we still pay for food and included a tip. We do not recommend this restaurant to anybody. The food is horrible. It’s over price and the service is horrible as well. . also, if we wanted to skip the bill, we had the chance because m for 25 minutes for the waiter to come back and check bring us the check mind you this was after being rudely insulted but we are not the type we have money and would never do that but the the manager still accused us of not having enough money to pay for the bill even though we were insulted and served old stale food that was barely untouched we still paid whole bill with tip . Again the manager was being biased and very rude beyond belief my mother and I were appalled but still walked out with class .I do not recommend and again I say, I do not recommend this...

I would give this place zero stars if I could. I met my girlfriend here for a nice dinner and some dancing. Being that we both drove we had one drink with our dinner and cut off the drinking after that. While on the dance floor we were approached by a waiter who said we needed to fit in more. I asked what and he stated “please fit in more, please just go ask somebody to buy you a drink if you can’t get one jeez”. I paid for their overly priced food to have a Good time and dance but sadly was made to feel like I did not fit in with the environment because I was not drinking. If I were to be underaged, instructing me to “get someone to buy me a drink” is not the safest thing and against your “ Cubanu regulations” that I see are mentioned in other comments. I told the young man that I was unsure of how old he thought I was but he should not be going around assuming the ages of individuals and pressuring them into drinking because this prevents people from coming back. If there was a concern my ID should have been asked for , which it was not. He simply shrugged his shoulders and said “okay bye”. Such a shame that their staff is so rude. Waitor was Hispanic skinny and had glasses I did not...