The Lab Bistro Co. in Virginia Beach
I can confidently say, dear reader, that you’re missing out on the best Cuban sandwich in the Coastal Virginia area. Tucked away among look-alike office and warehouse buildings is The Lab Bistro Company. The dual carryout restaurant and wholesale bakery is unassuming from the outside, but inside showcases a pop of color and Latin American flavors.
The Lab Bistro Co.
I was invited to check out The Lab Bistro, located off Dam Neck Road, after the eatery expanded its offerings to the public in April. The Lab Bistro has primarily spent the last four years operating as a commercial bakery, distributing their house-made breads and desserts to local grocery stores and restaurants.
Owner Kris Ramil, alongside his wife Wendy, has been quietly turning out some of the best Hispanic food in the region. While the couple is known for their over-the-top custom cakes, they also specialize in what Kris calls “Miami-style cafeteria food.” This includes classic bites, such as sandwiches, empanadas, pastries and even Cuban-style coffee to wash it all down with.
Kris looks at his kitchen like his laboratory—get it…Lab Bistro. There, he brings to life the recipes from his childhood and travels. Kris grew up cooking with his parents and grandparents, then expanded his culinary education when he traveled through Central America and the Caribbean. Now, as Coastal Virginia residents for over a decade, the Ramils are ready to give the region a taste of Hispanic fare.
“Anything Hispanic, people always think Mexican. I’m here to break that,” Kris declared. “I’m here to explain to people that there’s a lot more to Spanish food than just Mexican.”
He continued, “our cuisine—Central and South American, as well as the Caribbean—is cuisine that’s described as comida criolla which is food prepared with ingredients from the land.”
Kris explained that comida criolla has a huge emphasis on local ingredients and spices. This is why the Ramils make as much of their ingredients in house as possible, including the bread, desserts and pork. Oh, the pork.
When presented an array of menu options to choose from, my mouth immediately started to salivate when Kris mentioned their Cuban sandwich. While I’ve had many variations of a Cubano, nothing beats a classic, and The Lab Bistro knows that.
The Lab Bistro stays true to what has made this such an iconic sandwich. Kris starts with his mojo marinated pork, which was so juicy and flavorful that I could eat it entirely on its own. Next, the staples—ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. The ingredients are loaded between two pieces of The Lab Bistro’s homemade buttered Cuban bread, then pressed until it has that perfect balance of crunch on the outside with a soft inside.
Since The Lab Bistro is carryout and delivery only right now, I hastily ran out to my car to start eating. With no regard for the steam coming off the sandwich when I separated its diagonal cut, I peeled back some of the paper and took my first bite.
Perfection. I have no other way to describe this Miami-style Cuban sandwich other than perfection. Between the melt-in-your mouth roasted pork and the tanginess from the pickles and mustard, my taste buds were in heaven. I only ate half my sandwich, saving the other half for later that evening, but the affordable portion size is enough to make for a hearty lunch.
Kris told me that he’d like to expand The Lab Bistro’s offerings to Venezuelan-style hot dogs, loaded with toppings, and hamburgers. I’m game for whatever the Ramils are cooking up in their lab.
The Lab Bistro Co. is located at 2608 Horse Pasture Road, Suite 104, Virginia Beach.