According to the menu at this high-energy spot, if you've got Tumbao, you've got rhythm, and lots of it. The vision for this Latin restaurant/bar was five years in the making and well worth the time and money invested, says Luis Saldana, who owns Tumbao along with his brother, Javier. Modern touches include French doors, an exposed ventilation system and brick walls. A back area comes equipped with couches and a dance floor, which is regularly filled with singles, couples and groups.
If you come on a Friday night, expect to feel like you've walked in on a family holiday party. Guests range in age and all arrive finely dressed. An attractive crowd of real estate agents, up-and-coming attorneys and other Latino professionals network, appearing enthused about the venue. A gracious staff continually checks up on everyone, but not in an annoying way. Anticipate the occasional salsa band, house music DJ or Peruvian jazz band for entertainment.
While all aspects of the space deserve five stars, the unique cocktails ($7) deserve an additional five. Try the coquito, a smooth blend of coconut cream, condensed milk and cinnamon, spiked with Puerto Rican rum. Equally good is the pisco sour: Peruvian pisco, egg white, bitters, sugar and lime. Finally, complement your drink with a dish portioned for two. Luis loves the camaron de pina colada con espinaca (shrimp with pina colada sauce and spinach), $9.
Centerstage Reviewer: David-Anthony Gonzalez
