On our strategy to the Caribbean, we stopped over in Miami because it had been a number of years since I had an opportunity to play on this American metropolis, one which oozes all issues Latin with worldwide flavors laced all through. My reminiscences of Miami are a bit like my reminiscences of sure elements of LA — FUN is the predominant phrase. Integral is meals and wine.
Regardless of the numerous occasions I’ve been to Miami for a convention or just to absorb native tradition, I had by no means been to Little Havana, so Anthony and I made a decision to embark on a meals tour of the realm: the place Cuba meets America.
Cubata vibrantly adorned tables in Little Havana
They kick issues off on the Tower Theatre in Little Havana and from there, it’s a food-walking expertise that explores this vibrant and historic neighborhood. We began off with Cuban espresso – whoah! It’s each robust and candy, so be ready. It’s one of many causes they serve it in such small-sized cups. La Ventanita, a gathering place for Café Cubano, is understood for its iconic Cuban-style espresso, often known as colada. That is how our information defined the completely different espresso choices to us: Horvolito and Cafe con Leche each have sizzling steamed milk with a shot of espresso. Cafecito is a standard espresso sweetened with sugar only for you and Colada is a Cuban espresso to share.
At El Pub, you’ll style ever-so-delicious empanadas and the Peanut Man (not his official identify) will doubtless present up and promote you peanuts for a buck for a small tube of them.
There needs to be a baked possibility in a meals tour, proper? PC Bakery is a enjoyable spot on the principle drag and has been round for the reason that 1980’s. The place felt like a mishmash of Cuba, Miami and Paris.
Beneath, our tour information shares the cheese pastries with contributors.
The Ball & Chain transports you again to an older period with music, dancing and the spirit of what you may name Outdated Havana. There’s delectable Cuban tapas and nice drinks. Los Pinarenos Fruteria provides recent produce, freshly squeezed juices and tropical smoothies.
There are additionally nice murals to be discovered all through Little Havana. They inform a narrative (and a historical past) that isn’t typically shared with a mainstream viewers.
And naturally, there’s reside music in lots of locations — sure, even through the day mid-week.
There are fairly a couple of cigar-making outlets alongside the principle drag and down among the facet streets. I ventured into practically each one in all them as we had time to stroll round after the tour ended. It was so fascinating that we frolicked for a couple of hours to stroll round earlier than testing the native bus system to get to a different neighborhood in Miami. For those who’re brief on time, I’d recommend taking a taxi.
Beneath, we cease at Cubata Restaurant for longer than some other cease, for a sandwich and an epic Mojito. We cherished all of it — you should definitely watch our video under because it brings our Cubata expertise to life.
Mojitos at Cubata – sure, please. Deliver them on!
Sitting exterior strolling the world go by at Cubata. It’s a terrific place to folks watch.
This woman is such a gem. Devoted to her craft, she stands on the sugarcane juicing machine and churns out one drink after one other. And she or he’s been there for YEARS.
At La Churreria, their crispy exterior churrerias are generously dusted with cinnamon-sugar. Common in Cuba, these cinnamon-sugar coated deep-fried pastries have turn out to be very talked-about amongst locals.
Additionally on the tour, you find out about Cuban historical past. I cherished that Celia Cruz was honored on one of many statues. For those who’re not conversant in her, she was a Cuban singer (one of the identified Latin artists of the twentieth century). She rose to fame in Cuba within the 1950’s, the place the nickname “La Guarachera de Cuba” took off and later, she turned referred to as the Queen of Salsa. Not everybody might learn about her dedication to appearing as an energetic spokeperson for the Cuban neighborhood in exile.
Additionally, do you know that Ernest Hemingway lived in Cuba for thirty years? I didn’t till I found it on our stroll. Devoted to Hemingway and his ebook The Outdated Man and the Sea, this seafood restaurant alongside the principle drag known as Sala’o Cuban Bar & Pescaderia. It’s received a terrific vibe when you’ve got an opportunity to go to it. There’s additionally reside music as nicely so you should definitely ebook a desk on a weekend.
There are enjoyable outlets as nicely to purchase clothes and conventional Cuban hats. We had a blast exploring a number of of them.
Hanging out with our tour information after the tour.
For extra info, try this hyperlink for extra particulars together with how you can ebook. Beneath is a enjoyable brief video highlighting our expertise.
Renee Blodgett is the founding father of We Weblog the World. The positioning combines the magic of an internet tradition and journey journal with a worldwide weblog community and has contributors from each continent on the earth. Having lived in 10 nations and explored practically 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural variety.
She can be the CEO and founding father of Magic Sauce Media, a brand new media companies consultancy targeted on viral advertising, social media, branding, occasions and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped corporations from 12 nations get traction available in the market. Recognized for her international and natural method to product and company launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an energetic person of social media, she helps shoppers navigate digital waters from world wide. Renee has been running a blog for over 16 years and recurrently writes on her private weblog Down the Avenue, Huffington Submit, BlogHer, We Weblog the World and different websites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Journal and is listed as a brand new media influencer and recreation changer on varied websites and books on the brand new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed because the sixth most influential girl in social media by Forbes Journal on a Prime 20 Listing.
Her ardour for artwork, storytelling and pictures led to the launch of Magic Sauce Images, which is a visible extension of her writing, the results of which has led to producing six photograph books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee can be the co-founder of Touring Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to different nations to share and study from friends, governments, companies, and most of the people with a purpose to educate, share, consider, and promote progressive applied sciences.
