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Awaken your Latin spirit at Rumba |
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Written by and photos by BEATA DZIEDZIC
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Wednesday, 15 September 2004 |
The first thought that crossed my mind when I entered Rumba was, "I must be in the wrong place." My friend had promised a night of Latin dancing and instead I found myself in a fancy-looking restaurant.
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Rumba
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351 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 222-1226
rumba351.com
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I called my friend, wondering if I was in the wrong restaurant with the same name, but she confirmed that this is the right place and I shouldn’t worry - the place would definitely pick up. She was right. A few hours later, the place was pumping, and we were pirouetting around the dance floor pulling moves a la Ricky Martin in his "Shake your bon-bon" video.
OK, so this is definitely a fast forward version of my experience at Rumba. For the purpose of this article let’s backtrack a little and focus on other things that make Rumba a perfect Saturday evening destination.
SPIRITS
After an evening at Rumba, my new life motto has become "you can’t have too many mojitos." Minty, refreshing and muy deliciosa, this seems to be the most popular choice among the patrons. You might also want to try a "caipirinhas" or a "chocolatada." The added bonus is the hot bartender that will most likely serve them to you (granted you’re a woman or a gay man, of course). I could’ve sworn that the bartender I saw there on my first visit looked exactly like Antonio Banderas. Unless, of course, one too many mojitos was skewing my vision.
GRUB
According to the owner Edwin Ross, the essence of Rumba and its mood is incorporated into each plate. The dishes are infused with flavors from Latin countries - from Cuba and Puerto Rico to Argentina. A vast assortment of appetizers is offered, as well as many seafood entries. The restaurant is also known for some excellent desserts which I highly recommend trying, not only for their taste but also sugar content. The extra energy they provide will definitely come in handy if you’re planning to keep up with all the people on the dance floor. Plus you can enjoy them pretty much guilt-free with the knowledge that you’ll burn all those calories dancing later in the night.
PRICES
The prices range anywhere from about $10 for an appetizer to $30 for an average entrée. Rumba is certainly not one of the cheaper places in the city, but if you prepare yourself accordingly it is still possible to enjoy a nice meal while avoiding a panic attack when you see the bill.
ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS
The music at Rumba is - yep, you guessed it - Latin. Pulsating dance rhythms are delivered courtesy of a live band and guests can dance Thursday thru Saturday. Some nights also feature professional dance performances which will either inspire you to take some dancing classes or make you feel incredibly inadequate. CROWD I was amazed at the high energy level of the Rumba’s crowd. The patrons definitely know how to party. Be warned, however, that Rumba is not the place you want to go to if looking for a laid back hangout full of college students. The crowd is a little older and a more sophisticated; the place calls for dressier attire than a pair of torn-up jeans and a t-shirt. This is the place you want to go to if you want to impress your date or take a break from the usual bar scene in order to try something more grown-up.
ATMOSPHERE
The interior is another aspect worth mentioning and by far my personal favorite (yes, I admit it, I’m a self-proclaimed sucker for décor). Rumba is an interesting combination of traditional elements such as Moroccan candle holders and ultra modern details such as plasma screen TVs above the bar area. Reds and burgundies create a cozy yet lively atmosphere and the candlelight makes it intimate enough for a romantic dinner. The overall effect is undeniably impressive adding a definite "wow" factor to the place.
WHY IT’S UNIQUE
I don’t know about you, but any place that will feed you, get you drunk, and make you meringue your way back to the car at the end of the night is a winner in my book. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
