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If you’ve never thought of plantains as a food group, think again. Havana Alma de Cuba will force you to happily reexamine your starches. Among the appetizers, the fufu chicharrones (mashed green plantains with knobs of pork), fufu con camarones (with shrimp and garlic) and chorizo salteado (Spanish sausage with plantain chips) all make use of the tropical fruit in appetizing ways. And that’s just the start. The popular ropa vieja is a mound of shredded skirt steak with onions and green peppers parked in a plaintain basket while the filetillo salteado, (sautéed slices of prime beef) comes with the same delectable accompaniment. Havana is justifiably crowded and exudes a festive hominess, with its hanging lanterns and gigantic wall murals. And once the live music kicks into action on the weekends, a few sangrias or mojitos are likely to put you in a mood that’s just as convivial. — Nina Mehta

Fufu con camarones, $9; ropa vieja, $18; filetillo salteado, $19