e're not all Skye Masterson and sadly we can no longer fly a guy or doll to Havana for the night to impress them with an exotic Cuban getaway. Of course, America’s current foreign relations with the communist country prevent this from happening (as might limited financial means), but we New Yorkers can still enjoy a romantic evening of Cuban cuisine without breaking the bank at newly opened Café Cortadito in the East Village. However, be prepared with your own bottle of wine and your best lines if you want your Sarah Brown of choice to break into spontaneous song -- this place is strictly BYOB.

After working in the restaurants of others for years, husband and wife team Patricia Valencia and Ricardo Arias decided they wanted to break away and open a place of their own. Five years later they found the perfect location at 210 East 3rd Street, and so far so good.

A combination of passion for their native cuisine, their own business, and their loyal customers has resulted in packing the small café on a daily basis. Serving mostly traditional Cuban fare from breakfast through dinner, the restaurant is open to satisfy hungry diners seven days a week. Not bad for a resto sans liquor license.

Does you education of all things Cuban begin and end with Desi Arnaz? Not sure what a menu item means or the flavor of a particular ingredient? Don’t be shy - pipe up and ask! Your server, or even Mr. Arias (the chef), will happily explain it to you. The atmosphere here, while intimate, is open and friendly, and the owners seem to sincerely want their customers to love their food as much as they do. After one visit, it’s evident that the inborn Latin passion for Cuban cuisine is easily transferable.