Little Havana

My mother was a wonderful cook. Her roasts sent our neighbors into fits of greener than green envy. The rich cakes were towers to the temple of frosted goodness. Ruthie’s gorgeous salads were colorful mosaic art pieces. And Mom’s crisp tender vegetables could make anyone a lover of good-for-you plants; it certainly did for my…

You have to hand it to the Latin culture- they can transform something that is ordinary into something that’s beyond extraordinary. Take dance for example. Except for disco, one of the greatest trends of all time, ( you have to admit that the Hustle was the bomb. Ok, ok, we can agree to disagree), there…

If you had to describe the neighborhood of Little Havana, it would be hard to pin it down in just a few words. But collectively, the phrases would for sure connote liveliness. Most of the district is turbo-charged with high energy from the lusty beat of Cuban music, to the spirited sounds of gabby street…

It’s perpetual summer in Miami. That bold declaration is just not based on the year-round warm weather. When one thinks of the sunny season, it’s time to make a beeline to the nearest outdoor fair, something Miamians, unlike most of the country, can enjoy everyday no matter what the season. The city’s carnival atmosphere (…

“I just arrived this morning to Miami and I am looking forward to a lot of things, but I can’t wait to have Florida orange juice actually in Florida”, so said my Midwestern guest at the beginning of my Little Havana Tour. “Yes we have delicious orange juice, but on today’s tour you are going…

“I’ll have a decaf coffee” “I’ll have a decaf espresso” “ I’ll have double decaf cappuccino” “ Do you have any decaffeinated coffee ice cream?” “ I’ll have the half double decaffeinated half caf with a twist of lemon” While the above is actual dialogue from a scene that pokes humor at ordering coffee in…

What’s tasty, comforting and oh so satisfying? An empanada!  That description can be said about many food and drinks in the Miami Culinary scene. A super cool beach-worthy cocktail- check! Moist, tender and succulent stone crabs-check! Tart, and creamy Key Lime pie-check! Empanadas- double check! Coming to Miami and not having the half moon pie…