HAVANA KOI, MORRISTOWN
Asian/Cuban fusion confusion is what we experienced at Havana Koi in Morristown. The space is lovely with bamboo poles creating separations throughout the room, a three-panel painting in the foyer of a Cuban woman and an Asian woman, glass chandeliers, and waitresses colorfully dressed in red blouses with flowers in their hair. For the most part though, the food was disappointing.
We started with four tapas to share. Miso-soy braised pork belly was tough and dry, although the accompanying jicama and mango slaw was refreshing. Crispy calamari were better without the accompanying bitter, red-pepper coulis. Adobo pork sausage, cabbage, quince, and coriander empanadas could have used much more filling, while the Asian pumpkin and chicken spring roll was dry and tasteless. A side of plantains were not crispy and as hard as a stale roll. Two entrees were shared. An eye-catching battered and fried, whole striped bass was presented wrapped around slimy Asian pear and mango slaw. Lemon or salt would have been a bit of improvement on the bland fish. We could taste the herbs on one piece of the Cuban roasted chicken, but the second piece was overcooked. The accompanying string beans were perfectly cooked al dente and devoured. Luckily the South Street Creamery is very close to Havana Koi and that is where we had dessert.
Whole striped bass with Asian pear and mango slaw
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Havana Koi
90 South Street
Morristown
973-998-8939
BYO
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