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Paella served lovingly at Havana's popular Restaurante Paella inside Hostal Valencia, near Plaza San Francisco. Photo: Phyllis Shess
Editor’s note: On a daily basis
from June 1 thru June 30, 2015 Pillar to Post online magazine is featuring
articles, photos and insights resulting from a recent group tour, an adventure
we dubbed: the April 23 Brigade’s Tour of Cuba 2015.
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LET’S EAT! / FORTUNATE COOKIES:
CIENFUEGOS TO HAVANA
The benefit to a group tour is
most of the culinary decisions are pre-made.
The tour companies have a lot of experience in knowing what restaurants
provide good service with good food. Our
Gate 1 experience delivered some wonderful choices, which included a bit of
personality to go with the menu.
From Cienfuegos to Havana (with Santa Clara, Trinidad, Playa Larga in between), we were provided lobster, salmon, local white fish, filet mignon, shredded pork, brown rice and beans. Ample portions of bread and flan desserts were offered as well as unending mojitos. The hospitality of our hosts, especially those in the culinary sector, will not be forgotten. Gracias, por todos.
From Cienfuegos to Havana (with Santa Clara, Trinidad, Playa Larga in between), we were provided lobster, salmon, local white fish, filet mignon, shredded pork, brown rice and beans. Ample portions of bread and flan desserts were offered as well as unending mojitos. The hospitality of our hosts, especially those in the culinary sector, will not be forgotten. Gracias, por todos.
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Main entre by master chef Odlavin
Castellanos Castillo at ArteChef Restaurant in West Havana. Bruce Henderson Photography
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Il Divino paladar is a fine
restaurant and an organic farm in a suburb of Havana. On this day, the main course was shredded
beef with mixed vegetables, and a small portion of potato. Photo: Mike Shess.
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Excellent salmon served at
Restaurante Café Del Oriente on Plaza San Francisco. Photo: Mike Shess
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Palacio de Valle restaurant in a
converted casino on the grounds of Cienfuegos Hotel Jagua. Roasted pig with potato, rice and a cup of vegetable
soup served al fresco in the restaurant courtyard. Photo: Phyllis Shess
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Bread Pudding Dessert by chef
Odlavin Castellanos Castillo at ArteChef Restaurant in West Havana. Photo:
Don Wilgus.
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Appetizer plate at ArteChef
Restaurant and cooking school. Chef is a fan of Spanish soccer and uses dishes with Real Madrid logo for larger groups he serves.
Photo: Don Wilgus
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Nice presentation of main course
of shredded pork with rice, beans and vegetables at Villa La Garta, a
remarkable paladar on the waterfront in Cienfuegos.
Photo: Tom Shess.
FOOTNOTE: Yes, this blog is fully aware of
the meager circumstances of many, many Cuban residents, who will not enjoy the
meals that were part of our tour. But,
we were part of a joint Cuban/USA sanctioned tour of the island nation and
we—as a group—are tasked to spread the word about Cuba. In doing so, if our discussions and posted
articles inspire on a small scale an increase in tourism to Cuba, then we will
benefit its egalitarian economy.
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