March 2004
We Toast the Re-Birth of Little Havana!
It's happening! Slowly, but surely Little Havana is coming alive again! With new businesses opening and old businesses sprucing up. With events like Cultural Fridays and artist's exhibits that are bringing people back to Calle Ocho. With a new spirit of cooperation and hard work.

The foundation has been laid for the rebirth of Little Havana.

Once again it will become a vibrant destination for both locals and tourists alike.

In this issue we salute Little Havana in words and photos!
Possibly the best frita in Miami can be found at El Rey de las Fritas. No trip to Little Havana is complete without lunch or dinner here!
Nothing but thumbs up for Little Havana.
Talented artists are a big part of Little Havana's surging popularity.
El Pescador Restaurant -- a great place for seafood.
The Walk of Fame salutes Latin American stars.
Felix Continental
Cafe
Calle Ocho Festival Caps 10 Days of Carnaval Miami Festival Events

They call it the largest street party on earth, and with 23 blocks of food, music, and fun the Calle Ocho Festival lives up to it's reputation. Once each year the Kiwanis of Little Havana organize a little party for a million or so people. It may not be the best way to see little Havana -- you can't see the city for the people -- but you will literally be immersed in Latin culture!
Photo Courtesy :
Kiwanis Club of Little Havana
Felix Continental Cafe is located in the Orange Plaza in Old Towne Orange, California in an area of many antique stores. If you are visiting Disney or Knott's and staying nearby, Felix's is very easy to find. Just go south on Harbor Boulevard and then east on Chapman Avenue until you reach the traffic circle. It's well worth the trip for great Cuban food at very reasonable prices.

Felix makes a very respectable paella with steamed crab legs and grilled shrimp and a delicious arroz a la Cubana, a casserole of pork, chicken and chorizo with yellow rice and ripe plantain chunks. The Pierna De Puerco is slow roasted and basted with plenty of mojo for an intense garlic flavor. Everything comes with moros y cristianos and maduros of course. Felix Continental Cafe has seating both inside and out. The outdoor tables are the most desired and they go fast...
This year's Carnaval Miami runs from March 5th through March 15th. Events are planned throughout the event. The highlight for most people is the Calle Ocho Festival on Sunday March 15. The event runs from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, so get there early! If you like high-energy parties, this is the place for you...
Tostones
Sangria Pitcher
Plantains are a staple in the Cuban diet. We use them in many different dishes, but you most frequently see them served as maduros (fried sweet plantain) and tostones. Tostones are unique because they are fried twice. This double frying technique is very popular in Cuba! Many cooks use this technique to make French fried potatoes and boniato (sweet potatoes).
This great ceramic sangria pitcher is hand thrown and hand painted in Spain. Each pitcher is made by hand and individually signed.

No two pieces are identical! High quality glazing and food safe lead free materials make these ceramics the perfect way to enjoy something from Spain in your kitchen.

The tradition of the tostone comes from African slaves. In the Congo, the people prepare plantains in the exact same way, even to this day. Some purists insist on a completely starchy tostone with no sweetness. For them, only a perfectly green plantain will do.

Others like a little sweetness in the tostones, and a plantain with a few speckles of black makes a sweeter version...
A Chicago girl is about to turn 15 and she's not so sure she wants to go through with the traditional celebration...
Havana Shirts | Guayabera Shirts | Serrano Ham | Best Miami Cuban cookbooks | Spanish Chorizo (Sausage)

SEARCH THIS SITE