For a while Bostonist had been hoping that El Oriental de Cuba in JP would be open a bit later. After downing some pints at Behan’s a walk over to El Oriental for some mashed plantains is much better than that foreman grilled cheese we end up making after bars close. Alas, they were only open on weekends until 10 p.m. Until yesterday that is, when El Oriental was firebombed overnight. Bostonist loves ethnic food and for Cuban food in Boston this little spot - located "the other way" down Centre St., away from the cute little shops that define the increasingly gentrified JP - can’t be beat. The Boston Globe recounted statements from Maura A. Hennigan, who heard the Molatov cocktail-like fire starter had been tossed through the window of El Oriental around 3:30 a.m. This unexpected arson has taken the neighborhood by surprise and left the Cuban community in Jamaica Plain distraught, waiting for the restaurant to rebuild. Nobel Garcia pledged to the community and reporters that he would reopen the restaurant he’s owned for the last 6 years. Garcia said he had no enemies and didn’t know who could have done it. The food is great, the space itself left a little something to be desired, but nothing to firebomb over.

The fire at El Oriental de Cuba seems to be grabbing a bit of political attention. Mayor Menino’s advisor for Latino issues, Tony Barros, weighed in for the Globe’s report that the Cuban community has really suffered a loss with the $400,000 damage that resulted from the fire. State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez held open forums at El Oriental from time to time. Maura Hennigan (mentioned above) was quoted in the article and John Tobin, an advocate for all things Jamaica Plain, Rozzie, and West Roxbury, equated El Oriental de Cuba to "Cheers or Doyle’s." Wait, Cheers? Sure, Bostonist gets Doyle’s, it’s been around for ever, has more types of whiskey than we’ve been able to try in our lifetime and good pints, and is famous all over again for being the first bar in the United States to serve Sam Adams. But Cheers? John Tobin might be reminded that it’s a fictional bar from a sitcom. Sure it’s been recreated at Faneuil Hall and they even renamed the site of the famous staircase to Cheers from the original Bull and Finch Pub, but Bostonist can’t remember ever going there because it was quintessential Boston.

Photo from the Boston Globe at Boston.com