Revolucion de Cuba, Leeds

Revolucion de Cuba is one of the latest openings in Leeds, situated at the end of Call Lane  Seriously, Leeds always has something new and exciting happening! At the launch, we were treated to an evening packed full of rum and food, which gave me a great insight into the new bar.

Revolucion de Cuba is an off-shoot of Revolution Bars, and I'd had a taster of their style before as the second floor of the York Revolution is Cuban-themed with a huge rum menu. However, I love the idea of giving the Cuban theme a bar of their own and the previous bar Baracoa has been transformed into a gigantic, bright and spacious venue - it feels about twice the size!

On entry, we were split into three groups and asked to rotate round three 'stations,' each with a different activity and focus. I thought this was a great idea as I got to experience the knowledge, cocktails and food in an intimate way and really get a feel for the bar. First, we headed off to a rum masterclass, where our bartender took us through everything you might need to know about rum. I'm not a huge rum drinker so it was interesting to learn more about the spirit, as well as try some expensive rums. My favourite was the 8 Crillo Cacau, which has a totally unique biscuity-chocolate taste, unlike any rum I've ever tried.

We then moved on to make our own mojitos and I was really impressed with how easy it is to make mojitos. We simply muddled some mint, squeezed in lime, added ice and some rum. Then I mixed in the mint some more and topped up with soda. The result was really tasty with just a few ingredients, but I definitely wasn't a natural behind the bar! Although the process for a mojito is simple, I was so slow at muddling the mint, adding ice and topping up with soda - it certainly gave me serious respect for the skilled bartenders!

Finally, we got to try some of the delicious food on offer at Revolucion de Cuba. I used to eat at Revolution fairly regularly as a student, as it's great value for decent food, so I knew the food would be good quality. However, tapas is a tricky thing to get right in chains I find so I was seriously impressed with the dishes. I particularly loved the chunks of roasted chorizo covered in a wine and honey glaze; the sweet overtone balanced perfectly with the rich meaty spice of chorizo. I also thought the aubergine quesadillas were not only a great vegetarian option but a great dish in their own right.  From Monday to Thursday, three tapas dishes are just £13 which I think is great value for a meal, especially when accompanied by a couple of delicious cocktails.

I was seriously impressed with the enthusiasm and passion of the staff and I think Revolucion de Cuba is going to be a great addition to Call Lane for Leeds. It's fun, great value and with plenty of room for big gatherings. Have you tried it yet?

Jess

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