Havana 1957 Brings a Taste of Old Cuba to Brickell

Havana 1957 Brings a Taste of Old Cuba to Brickell

Havana 1957 quietly debuted their third South Florida location in the former Brickell Irish Pub space a few weeks back, but they don’t officially open till tomorrow. The eatery, managed by the V & E Restaurant Group, serves up traditional Cuban fare in a space reminiscent of old Cuba in the 1950’s complete with famous prints and a Cuban rum bar with over 70 types of rum. Items from the menu, which is managed by chef Silvio Echazabal, include the Havana 1957 Specialty (roasted chicken in a savory Cuban gravy served with white rice, black beans, salad and sweet plantains), seafood plates, sandwiches, and desserts like guava cheesecake. The grand opening party, which includes menu samplers, drinks, music and an appearance from the mayor for the city of Miami, takes place tomorrow at 5 p.m. and is open to the public.

Source: http://miami.eater.com/

Local Chains We Love in Miami

Local Chains We Love in Miami

The Formula: Authentic Cuban cuisine
Number of Locations: 4 in South Florida
Meal for One: Traditional grilled Cuban steak topped with chopped onions and parsley, served alongside boiled yuca ($15.50) and paired with a mango mojito ($9.95)
Menu Highlights: Classic Cuban dishes full of juicy meats, fried plantains and roasted potatoes

https://www.zagat.com

Dining scene: From shrimp tacos to chicken-turkey meatloaf

Dining scene: From shrimp tacos to chicken-turkey meatloaf

The former Stir Crazy could pass for a Hollywood movie set with walls that alternate between stone and a rustic green finish with red accents including tufted banquettes. Sit at one of the red-and-silver diner stools at the bar where 120 different kinds of rum, mojitos ($10.95-$11.95) and Cuban libres ($9.95-$13) are served, as well as snacks ($4.95), such as mini pan con bistec.

“Havana’s biggest legends and famous prints decorate the restaurant from ceiling to floor,” says the restaurant’s Maribel Garcia. “It sets itself apart by creating a unique dining experience that allows you to relive the glory and glamour of old Cuba during the 1950s. Each of our four restaurants combines the flavors of authentic Cuban cuisine, classic Cuban music and vintage memorabilia, bringing Cuban nostalgia to each neighborhood.”

The house specialty is Pollo Havana 1957, traditional roasted chicken with gravy, rice, black beans, salad and sweet plantains ($13.50). Other highlights are tostones rellenos — green plantains stuffed with beef or shrimp ($8-$9.95), vaca frita — grilled shredded beef with onions in Cuban mojo ($12.50) and guava cheesecake made with guava shells ($6.95). “The Skinny Cuban” menu section promises dishes with less than 500 calories.

Lunch and dinner are served daily, plus weekend breakfast. The Rum & Coffee Band performs classic Cuban music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

http://www.southflorida.com

Havana 1957. Brickell. Miami

Havana 1957: tirar la casa por la ventana

Con música de los años 1950, comida cubana de la buena y un menú para comer sin culpas, ‘El habanero delgado’, este restaurante-club pone sabor en Brickell.

ALBERTO SÁNCHEZ

Casi a la una de la madrugada el grupo Palo!, que dirige Steve Roitstein, sube al escenario del Havana 1957 de Brickell para celebrar su onceno aniversario. La cantante Leslie Cartaya pide “Tabaco y ron pa’ mi santa”. Ed Calle, Philbert Armenteros y Raymel Olalde completan esta mezcla virtuosa y contagiosa del afrocuban funk de Miami, música genuina de la Ciudad del Sol. Se escuchan La malanga, Qué lengua más larga tú tienes, Camina con los codos y Están afuera fumando.

La música en vivo los fines de semana distingue este salón ubicado en el área de Brickell de los otros restaurantes de la marca Havana 1957. Temas típicos, los de antes y los de ahora, se escuchan de jueves a sábado. La Charanga Típica Tropical de Ramiro Aguirre, Luis Barbería (Habana Abierta), Robertico Carcassés, William Vivanco y Luis Bofill son algunos de los cantautores que se han presentado aquí. Para julio se anuncia a Vanito Brown y en agosto a José Luis Barba, David Torrens, y Janet Dacal.

El happy hour del Havana 1957 es más conocido por La casa por la ventana. Es el momento de la tarde en que se puede probar la variedad de whiskies, vinos y cervezas a mitad de precio, o si prefiere a dos por uno. Están los clásicos cocteles como el mojito, el Cuba Libre y cuatro variedades de martinis. O si quiere algo más directo, pude pedir cualquiera de las 70 marcas de rones que sirven en el bar.

La especialidad del menú no consiste en complicar la elaboración de los platos, sino en la variedad de estilos, opciones, y costumbres. Junto al menú regular, tienen El habanero delgado, una versión que han creado para los que prefieren comer pequeñas porciones, bajas en grasas, a la plancha, menos calorías, mucha fibra, integral… y sin remordimientos. En ambos menús las carnes, el pescado, las viandas y los mariscos aparecen en muchos de los platos, como la vaca frita, la palomilla o los tostones rellenos.

Para los que vienen por primera vez se les recomienda el Pollo Havana 1957, un medio pollo de los grandes que se ha marinado durante tres días y asado durante tres horas, que se sirve con arroz, frijoles negros, plátanos maduros fritos y ensalada. Antes puede pedir un Combo Cubano: croquetas de jamón, yuca frita, mariquitas, papas asadas, tamal y cerdo.

Todo lo que está en las paredes del restaurante es auténtico, original, de colección, como las camisetas de los equipos de La Habana y el Almendares. En algunas partes hay firmas, frases y nombres que recuerdan a La Bodeguita del Medio de La Habana, que hacen juego con el decorado del lugar. Sobre el bar hay un gran cartel de la Coca-Cola, de aquellos que se veían en muchas partes de La Habana en la década del 1950, y al lado una gran foto publicitaria de jóvenes que se divierten, recreando el ambiente nocturno y glamoroso de la capital cubana. También hay fotos de Beny Moré, María Félix, Los Matamoros, Errol Flynn y Celia Cruz.

Juan Reina, un septuagenario, natural del barrio Los Sitios, con una memoria musical increíble, que frecuenta el lugar, recuerda a La Habana por las canciones de moda que se escuchaban en la radio o en las vitrolas de los bares. “Muchos estaban abiertos”, dice, “sin aire acondicionado, cuando ponías una canción de Roberto Faz, Orlando Vallejo o Bola de Nieve, se escuchaba hasta en la esquina. Así sonaba mi Habana”.

De esa época, recuerda las reuniones en casa del compositor Candito Ruiz, en Concepción de la Valla, entre Manrique y Campanario. “Por las noches se reunían a descargar y a componer, César Portillo de la Luz, Frank Domínguez, Ernesto Duarte, Marcelino Guerra y Tania Castellanos, entre otros. Al menos dos veces estuvo por allí Ella Fitzgerald acompañada de Sarah Vaughan.

Música, decorado y menú se combinan para hacer de este lugar una noche de La Habana en aquellos años 1950, cuando en el show del cabaret Tropicana podía estar Nat King Cole cantando en español El bodeguero. En el club La Red La Lupe se desgarraba con Qué te pedí y en el Alí Bar, Beny Moré, que había llegado un tanto tarde, compensaba la paciencia del respetable con Hoy como ayer o Me voy pa’l pueblo. Se iba por la mañana, y regresaba en el último vuelo de Pan Am, o al día siguiente. Con cierta resaca, pero sin permisos de entradas ni de salidas, y sin muchas restricciones de aduanas, solo a divertirse. Tal como era antes. •

Havana 1957 en Brickell, 1451 South Miami Ave., (305) 381-6651. Horarios y eventos en www.havana1957.com

Source: http://www.elnuevoherald.com

Cinco de Mayo Parties in Miami and South Florida

Cinco de Mayo Parties in Miami and South Florida

Break out the lime and salt. This Cinco de Mayo, here are the best places to drink tequila and wear a goofy sombrero and fake mustache.

Oh! Mexico on Espanola Way
The biggest street party takes place in South Beach at Oh! Mexico’s annual festival. Starting at 6 p.m. the entire area along Espanola Way will be closed to cars to make way for a huge stage featuring live music, mariachis and senorita dancers. Give a high five to one of the stilt walkers, or say, “hola,” to the restaurant’s favorite sexy ambassador, Margarita. Down the street, check out the newly opened Señor Frogs (1450 Collins Ave., Miami Beach) for more drink specials and sombrero searching.
Where: 1440 Española Way, Miami Beach; Ohmexicorestaurant.com

Source: http://www.miami.com/

The Molcajete at Oh! Mexico in Miami

The Molcajete at Oh! Mexico in Miami

As a native New Yorker, I hear the word “touristy” and cringe, so after checking out the mixed bag that is Yelp, I had my reservations (see what I did there?) about dining at Oh! Mexico. Here’s why I gave it a chance. In Miami, I am kind of a tourist, even though I’ve circled Lincoln Road several times in my short life. I’ve also had my fair share of unimpressive Mexican in my native New York City, and honestly, nothing could have been worse than the “nachos” we had the day before at our hotel pool, served with a side of bitter store-bought salsa in a plastic cup.

The eatery on the corner of Española Way is incredibly charming both inside and out. The outdoor seating is the obvious choice, though, peppered with art-deco buildings in pastel hues. The interior dining room is also pleasant, and features giant portraits of famed Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo along with blown glass trinkets and other knick-knacks.

We ordered the Molcajete, a lava rock bowl filled with Mexican guajillo sauce (or green tomatillo sauce,) nopal (cactus), onion, bell pepper, Mexican cheese, and chorizo, with chicken, steak, and shrimp. It was garlicky and delicious – I even had leftovers to take to the beach the next day. At $36, it’s a bit pricey, but those are the brakes when you’re on vacation, especially in South Beach. We also had the pork chop lunch special, chuletas de puerco en salsa chipotle, which were smoked chops smothered in mild and chipotle sauce.

We went for lunch, which I would recommend over dinner—then again, we didn’t try their margaritas, so the choice is yours.
Were there lame people in stupid visors and puka shell necklaces sitting at tables across the way? Yeah. Did they scream “Oh my gawwwdd!” when a guy rode by on a bike with a monkey perched on the handlebars? Yes. Who cares? It’s a charming experience, and you’re on vacation, so have a nice lunch, walk down Collins Avenue, and enjoy your trip, lucky tourist!

Source: http://www.thedailymeal.com/

Tapas y Tintos Spanish Cuisine and Flamenco Show

Tapas y Tintos Spanish Cuisine and Flamenco Show

On July 24, SFG went to Tapas Y Tintos located on Espanola Way in Miami Beach to experience their weekly Flamenco show and Spanish dinner. The Spanish tapas bar has been bringing its Spanish inspired atmosphere t0 the historic street since 1981. From ceiling to floor, the walls are covered with authentic photographs and décor of Spanish novelties such as Spanish Matador costumes, Spanish fans, flamenco dancers and Spain’s beloved soccer team.

Source: http://sfgmag.com/