Evaluation of Guanabanas Restaurant

Evaluation of Guanabanas Restaurant

Yesterday, I received an unexpected call from an old friend in Boston asking if it was possible for her to visit me for the weekend. I only just recently relocated to Florida after living in Boston Massachusetts for many years because I wanted to escape the long cold winters. She mentioned that she would like to go out to dinner somewhere nice during her stay. I thought this would be a great opportunity for us both to experience something new. So after discussing exactly what we wanted out of our venture, we established three criteria: a fun atmosphere, a variety of delicious entrees and good service.

After discussing with several of my coworkers, I decided to try Guanabanas in Jupiter.

Guanabanas met the first criteria: It had fun atmosphere. It is a popular outdoor restaurant and bar located by the water. The tables are surrounded by beautiful lush plants and palm trees, giving it a laid back tropical island feel. It is lively and loud with live music performances every night. There is also a small dance floor for the livelier crowd to kick up their heels. The one drawback is that if it rains there is no coverage and the atmosphere would definitely be ruined, and this is also not a place for someone looking for a quiet night out.

For the second criteria: There were a variety of delicious entrees available. The menu has a Caribbean theme but also offers some Mexican style dishes and a large variety of appetizers. I ordered the slow smoked BBQ pork plate. The pork was so succulent that it melted in my mouth and the Cuban black beans and rice added just the right amount of spice. The menu is limiting, in the sense that all of the items have an element of either a Caribbean sauce or they are deep fried. This would not be a good choice for weight watchers or health conscious individuals.

The third criteria: We were greeted by two friendly hostesses who informed us that it would be at least one hour wait for a table. The bar was an option for a drink while waiting, although it was difficult to get a drink due to the large crowd surrounding the bar area. After over an hour we were shown to our table. The wait staff was amiable and took time to explain the menu and make recommendations. On the downside, no one come back to the table to ensure that there were no complaints with the food after it had been delivered.

Guanabanas is a good choice for taking an out of town quest. The ambience and lively crowd allows for a fun atmosphere. The unique feel that the palm trees, tropical plants, and the water view make the long wait for a table worthwhile. The menu has a limited amount of non-Caribbean items but there is the option of a beef burger or chicken wrap. The staff is pleasant but not overly attentive but easily visible if you needed them.