in 2004 , I knew we couldn’t keep him. His savory tapas and hot Latin Jazz were too big to contain in a small neighborhood restaurant. He needed a whole house. Today, he’s bringing the house down with a Cuban café and club that’s so popular it’s often packed to the rafters. Of course, there’s the ever-changing weekly menu, from small plates with various combinations of grilled chops, plantains and spicy sauces to such platos grandes as garlic-studded slow- roasted pork and snapper almandine. Then there’s the dancing. Take a Saturday night this past summer, for example, when a room full of patrons paid $8 each to learn how to salsa. The instructors were the sexy dance duo of Garry Johnson (longtime dance teacher at Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville) and his partner, Viola Gonzales. As the lesson progressed, the warm yellow house at 3909 Grand Ave. (formerly the site of Autumn Moon restaurant) started to come alive. Women in sleek, sexy outfits and guys in cool cotton cabana shirts were pouring into the bar, the back room, the outside patio and two rooms upstairs. The champagne mojitos started to flow and bodies pressed seductively against one another as the primal beat pumped through the halls. I could sense that something was about to explode—like spontaneous combustion from too much heat. And then it began; couples twirling in tandem to the intoxicating rhythm, as if they were dancing under a star-studded Havana sky. It’s human nature to want what you cannot have. Cuba is off limits to most Americans, yet we have an insatiable urge to taste—to experience—if only for one passion-filled night. La Taza de Café answers the call. La Taza de Café, 3909 Grand Ave., (510) 658-2373, is open Tue.–Sun. for tapas, dinner and dancing, and serves brunch 10 p.m.–2 p.m. Sun. For a schedule of dance lessons and entertainment see www.latazadecafe.com. -Ginny Prior |
Fri, Feb. 11, 2005
THE TOWN CRIER: Ginny Prior
I'VE OFTEN admired the Latin culture. They really know how to embrace life. So, I wasn't surprised to see a
rumba line through the window of the new La Taza de Café on Thornhill Drive the other night. With the
building flooded in moonlight, the silhouettes of dancers called to me. I parked the car.
Live Latin jazz sent sparks through the room as my waiter, Diego Escobar, beckoned me to enter. The
sangrias were flowing, and the smell of warm tapas filled my senses, though I'd just eaten. This was the place
I'd written about just months earlier when I interviewed the owner, Daniel Brajkovich. La Taza was finally open,
and the word was starting to spread.
"Amazing entertainment and I'm already craving the tapas again," wrote one diner in an online restaurant
review. Another entry said "Excellent food and service -- cozy, quaint and delicious." But the best
endorsement came from neighbor Robbie Neely, whose group "Friends of Montclair Village" asked folks a
while back what they wanted to see. "A number of pleas were made for more nightlife, good music, more
variety of restaurants," she said, adding, "This is it!"
I couldn't agree more. We've been starving for music in our little village. We've been yearning for a place to
gather and dance and celebrate life. If it means taking rumba lessons, then so be it. I'll be the first in line.
ON THAT NOTE: Speaking of music, La Taza de Café is so authentic, even the musicians are Cuban. The
Evelio Roque combo is from Havana, and Evelio now lives on Thornhill Drive, after marrying a teacher from
Montclair. His Latin Jazz rhythm is punctuated by his talent on two reed instruments, the sax and clarinet. But
Evelio ran into some bad luck recently when his clarinet was stolen while he was unloading his car for a gig.
(Until he comes up with the money to replace it, he's playing a more vintage instrument from his youth.) You
can check out Evelio and his partner, Coto Pincheira, from 5-11 p.m. Thursday nights, and on Valentine's
night for the cafe's special four-course dinner.
San Francisco Chronicle:
Link to Original Article Website
Latin touch may bring luck to location
Friday, May 27, 2005
Link to Original Article Website
Latin touch may bring luck to location
Friday, May 27, 2005
Sunset Magazine: Link to Original Article Website
Five great Cuban sandwiches
issue: May 2005
Five great Cuban sandwiches
issue: May 2005
April 1, 2005
Ginny Prior: Drawn To The Nightlife
SPEAKING OF MUSIC: I would be remiss if I didn't mention La Taza de Cafe here. Owner Daniel
Brajkovich is creating a wonderful Latin music club where the old Thornhill Cafe used to be. Two of the
featured musicians are from Havana and they (Evelio Roque and Coto Pincheira) set the mood for the
sumptuous tapas that are served right up until closing at 11 p.m. It was Daniel's dream for this to be a
gathering place, too, and it's become even more -- as neighbors bring instruments to play with the band.
It reminds me of Europe, where music is life and rarely a meal goes by without song.
Ginny Prior: Drawn To The Nightlife
SPEAKING OF MUSIC: I would be remiss if I didn't mention La Taza de Cafe here. Owner Daniel
Brajkovich is creating a wonderful Latin music club where the old Thornhill Cafe used to be. Two of the
featured musicians are from Havana and they (Evelio Roque and Coto Pincheira) set the mood for the
sumptuous tapas that are served right up until closing at 11 p.m. It was Daniel's dream for this to be a
gathering place, too, and it's become even more -- as neighbors bring instruments to play with the band.
It reminds me of Europe, where music is life and rarely a meal goes by without song.
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Oakland Magazine:
La Taza de Cafe; Burning Down the House
November 2007 issue
La Taza de Cafe; Burning Down the House
November 2007 issue
