2 minute read
NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT
The venerable Versailles is an excellent Looking to bring back some authentic starting point. Although named after Cuban souvenirs? Sentir Cubano is
France’s Palace of Versailles, this is MIAMI just four blocks east of Versailles. It has the sweet spot for Cuban culture. a little bit of everything, from apparel, It features the perfect intersection of artwork and home décor to domino food, coffee and sweets, mixed with political roundtables on the topic of the day. You will never go wrong with a Cuban classic: picadillo, white rice and plantains. sets. It’s a bit much to take in at first; but draw a breath, browse, and no doubt you will find a little (or big) piece of Little Havana. Little Havana
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Fact: Cuban people love to dance. You can join the fun at the High Note Jazz Club at Cuba Ocho. It’s a vibrant buzz featuring live salsa and bachata music, Cuban art décor and yummy cocktails. A must is the mojito: rum, lime, mint and sugar, with roots that date back to 1932.
George Diaz
Little Havana is the heartbeat of Miami’s vibrant Cuban culture. You will be immersed in the sights and sounds and scents of a different place and time as you walk along Southwest Eighth Street, the main corridor.
Speaking Spanish is optional. All you need to do is point and smile, and the logistics will sort themselves out. Next thing you know, you will have a warm pastelito in one hand and an espresso in the other. Here are a few places that resonate with that Cuban vibe.
If you want to take a historical detour, check out the Bay of Pigs Monument, honoring about 100 fallen heroes of the Bay of Pigs Invasion in April, 1961. Their names are engraved on the monument, which includes an eternal flame at the top. The monument was dedicated on April 17, 1971.
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Sweet tooth? Come on down to the Azucar Ice Cream Co. It’s hard to miss with a gigantic ice cream cone on its front facade. It is home to many eclectic flavors including a chocolate and cayenne pepper concoction |called “Burn in Hell, Fidel!”
We’re not going to suggest a best bakery in Little Havana. There are just too many of them. You will never go wrong with the bakery at Versailles; but take a walk along Southwest Eighth Street and pick any of the openair coffee shops. Savor a café con leche or cortadito. A guava or guava and cheese pastelito is a must; doubledown with an éclair oozing with cream. And get a loaf of Cuban bread to go. You won’t be disappointed.
