Mmmm...Mojitos and Yummy Yucca, too

i had resisted the siren call of the mojito as if drinking one of these cuban concoctions of cane sugar, lime, mint and rum would brand me as a character in desperate housewives, a "mojito mom" who drinks with the gals while dishing on her hubby. the mojitos at havana central, however, are irresistible, and sipping one of these strong, sweet drinks (with a crunchy sugar cane swizzler) requires you to snack on an appertivo, such as bocadillos de yucca, fried yucca sticks dipped in a homemade chimichurri sauce ($5).

a tough-barked, brown, twisted tuber, yucca is the starchy root of the cassava plant. they're ugly in the bodega, but beautiful when peeled and cooked. bland and finely fibrous, havana's melt-in-the-mouth yucca sticks take on the flavor of whatever they're paired with-in this case, chimichurri, redolent of parsley, garlic and olive oil. while you're there, have an empanada. these are not standard fare, but crispy hot packets filled with mini cubano sandwich fixings, beef picadillo or a stewed chicken sofrito that you'll want as a main course ($3 each).

actually, havana central may be just the right place to meet my girlfriends and become a "mojito mom." it's loud-too loud for an intimate conversation with my lager-drinking hubby.

-- havana central 2911 broadway (between 113th and 114th streets) 212-662-8830 -- got a snack attack to share? contact nbrand@aol.com