New Whanganui cafe Cuban Belle opens in Glasgow St

Enjoying their new workplace in a renovated villa are Cuban Belle staff (from left) Stan Manthyng, Sarah Allison and Meila Cvitanovich.

A touch of the Caribbean has moved into Glasgow St with the opening of Cuban Belle.

The cafe is a sister cafe of Ambrosia Delicatessen and La Bolsa Negra in Ridgway St and is run by Ambrosia's Nevanah Turner.

Turner, who has been in business in Whanganui for 21 years, says she thinks there is always room for something new and different. With that in mind, she warns customers not to expect bog-standard bacon and eggs on toast when they visit Cuban Belle.

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"Cuban Belle has an inventive menu offering modern takes inspired by Cuban, South American, Latino, Mexican and Caribbean cuisines," Turner said.

"We've always had Cuban coffee at Ambrosia and a slight Cuban and Caribbean food theme so I thought I would try a full Cuban-type theme in the new cafe. We've had really good feedback since we opened. People have been saying it's great to come in and get something nice that's a bit different."

As well as cabinet food, there are three cook-to-order menus - regular, vegetarian and gluten free and vegan and gluten free. The meat and poultry is organic free range.

Because of the small size of the kitchen, the baking is done at Ambrosia but chef Jerram Gudsell makes everything else in the Cuban Belle kitchen. The menu will change regularly to make the most of seasonal produce.

Cuban Bell is sharing the villa at 85 Glasgow St with Rayner Brothers Gallery.

Turner has high praise for Bryce Smith and Sue Cooke who bought the Glasgow St villa.

"They've done a thorough renovation of the place and have done a really wonderful job," Turner said.

"They have moved the Rayner Brothers Gallery into the other side of the villa and there will also be an artist in residence with an apartment and studio.

"Bryce asked me to set up a cafe there so we've been talking about that for a while. The name Cuban Belle comes from an old cigar label. The dining room is decorated to look similar to the ruins of Cuba and the art is all vintage Cuban cigar labels."

Turner has been dividing her time between Ambrosia and the new cafe.

"The staff at Ambrosia have been great, working more hours to help while we were getting ready to open. We wouldn't have been able to do it without them."

The cafe is open Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 10pm and Saturday 9.30am until about 3pm.