With its simple blend of well-made Cuban cuisine and candlelit ambiance, Cafe Cortadito captures the Hemingway-esque romance of pre-revolution Havana. Clad in guayabera shirts, waitstaff bustle among the wooden bar, open kitchen counter, and candlelit tables. They load tables with classic dishes, such as braised oxtail in a red wine and tomato stew, or the picadillo cua cua—ground sirloin steak in a sweet stir fry of veggies, raisins, and olives, crowned with a golden fried egg. Tying everything together is a musical score that fits the mood. Tunes from the Buena Vista Social Club, and occasionally members of the popular group, burst out of the speakers. New York magazine says Café Cortadito has the "unpretentious, hospitable aura of a home kitchen, with the chef toiling away behind the counter and his wife greeting guests and taking orders."