Cucharamama   

An enormous ceramic wood-burning oven dominates this charming little restaurant and bar with its cool yellow walls and clay red floors. Cucharamama is the second and more formal of the two habitually packed, rapturously received pan-Latin restaurants owned by Maricel Presilla, the author of an upcoming book on the subject. Both restaurants focus on Cuban food but also serve an engaging mix of Mexican, Argentine, Ecuadorian, Chilean, Spanish, Guatamelan and Brazilian specialties, with painstaking attention to detail. Traditional favorites such as empanadas, tamales, and pollo asado blend in companionably with shrimp, octopus, and whole fish dishes. But while Zafra on Willow Avenue is a bustling BYOB cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Cucharamama is a destination for a night out, with a wide selection of wines, and an exuberant atmosphere. It would be wise to seek a reservation well in advance.