Hector Pina, Nivia Pina and Dennis Benzan of LaFabrica Central

Hector and Nivia Pina are behind La Fábrica Central, as well as Vejigantes in the South End, Merengue in Roxbury, and the recently opened Doña Habana in Newmarket Square. Former Cambridge vice mayor Dennis Benzan is also involved… The new venue follows in the footsteps of its 450 Mass. Ave. predecessors with a bar, lounge, and dining room in the front part of the space and a function room with a stage and bar in the back. There’s live music with a focus on Latin jazz. La Fábrica Central features food from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica and has a ceviche bar… Chef Giovanna Huyke is a cookbook author, television personality, and former executive chef of the now-shuttered Mio Restaurant in DC.

“For years I’ve talked a lot about how important it is to have the local community represented in the business community,” said Benzan. “This is an opportunity for me to demonstrate what local folks are capable of doing when given the opportunity. Central Square has some of the greatest restaurants, but doesn’t have a restaurant that really represents the Spanish-Caribbean.”

Sources: Eater Boston and Wicked Local Cambridge