RESTAURANTS: Cantina in previews

Cantina, the newest member of the I Love Cuba fan club sweeping the NY restaurant scene, is currently in previews. Unlike other recently opened spots, this preview will sadly come to an end some day (right now, they say on November 1st) at which point it may be difficult to get a table and the current BYOB option will be replaced with a long list of Spanish beer and wine. No doubt, the list will probably be stellar, but anyone who can't appreciate a  gift like BYOB is just crazy. Last night, consulting chef Jason Neroni was on hand and checking on tables. On his brief  preview menu were creamy sheep's milk cheese balls served with strands of piquillo peppers and  an unbelievably tender braised lamb's tongue sandwich. He did his thing with pork shoulder -  served with a perfectly prepared dulce de leche sauce that provided just the right amount of sweetness to the soft meat and a soft strands of meat fell off an oxtail bone perfectly. A chorizo and cheese empanada was an option as were desserts of coconut flan that could have used a tad more coconut and perfect berry and cream cheese turnovers.  Dinner is not rushed here, which is a treat. Dishes arrived nicely spaced and the cozy flea market chic decor makes you wish you could make used furniture look so good. Cantina is just plain cool. And owner Jason Swami does a prefect job of making you feel welcome. Noticing Latin blood at the table, he steered us in the right ordering direction, but even without his help, I am sure we would have enjoyed the ride. 

Oh and among the crowd trickling in which seemed to be 70/30 women, was a stuffy reporter type who tried poorly to hide the fact that she was taking notes on the place. She  seemed put off by something before she even ordered and seemed more into her friend's iPod then anything else. Now, that is annoying. Put your notebook away honey and have a drink. Hey it's BYO so have a bottle!