Last Sunday I was finally able to drag the guys away from the pool to go with me and explore Little Havana. Little Havana is the Cuban neighbourhood not too far from our place in South Beach. We piled in the car and drove just over the bridge, windows down, warm breeze blowing, anticipating the pleasure of exploring a new area and hunting down some real Cuban sandwiches.
From the moment we parked the car I was smitten. It might have been the colourful murals, the many cigar shops or the promising scent of coffee in the air.
We headed down Calle Ocho.
We spotted El Cristo Restaurant which I had read good things about. We scored a table outside.
The beers were cold, and the sandwiches were filled with roasted pork and glazed ham, slathered with mustard, complimented with thin slices of dill pickles and held together with melted swiss cheese. The coffee afterwards was strong and sweet.
We walked the main strip after lunch checking out the shops, the parks and monuments and the old men playing dominos in the square.
I took a bunch of photographs. Here are a few of my favourites:
Cold Cuban beer, hot day.
"True" Cuban
Strong and Sweet
Yes, I Do.
Ser Madre Es Una Bendición De Dios
What a great day you all must have had..the pictures are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. I am a real fan of cuban food having lived in the Tampa,Fla. area and St. Armans Key, over the bridge from Sarasota, Fla. They know how to do GOOD FOOD.
So much colour! You know it looks like the Drive. I have the hugest craving for a ham sandwich now – and I would soak that beer label off and put it in my ideabook along with a splodge of mustard… ok maybe just a splodge of yellow paint. Nice exploring! Wish I was there roaming with you, the only colour we have today is rain!! Lucky for nice warm fireplaces…
October 22/2011 – Little Havana – Calle Ocho – Table for 5 – Big Cuban Tortas – De lic i oso!
Gail: We are really beginning to hit our stride here. I am on a particular E & E kick these days and our afternoon in Little Havana was truly been a highlight for me. I am now jazzed to move onto other Cuban specialties. Croquettes, Boliche, Moros and Yucca, Frijoles Negros, Mariquitas con Mojo are all on my radar.
Sheryl: Funny you should say that, it totally reminds me of the Drive. I will try to score one of the beer labels for you as I am hoping to go back next Sunday and try another restaurant I was reading about. You may have some more mail coming.
Mom: Thanks for commenting!! Yes, can’t wait until you guys come and visit in October. We may have more than a couple of places to try… xo J
It all sounds so wonderful! You are not letting this opportunity slip by without experiencing as much as you can!