I told you I had taken a lot of pictures of cars while I was in Cuba on my last trip. This is one more group of the pictures I took last fall. I never get tired of seeing these beauties (and the not so beautiful).
Robaina's
Robaina's plantation
Friday, 26 April 2019
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
La Flor de Cano Casanova Edicion Regional Italia 2016
I found a bunch of these cigars in my humidor in Cuba, I had forgotten I had them. I decided to try one to see what they were about....after someone telling me they weren't that great.
The one I tried this day was hard to the touch with some soft spots. It was darkish and bumpy in appearance with a couple of visible veins and a rounded cap. It's rough construction made it look a bit unattractive, the wrapper wasn't very pretty.
The pre-light gave me coffee and cedar while the first puffs gave me hints of floral, moving to earthy shortly afterwards. The burn was off right from the beginning and kept that way all the way through....it showed me that the roll was uneven. The draw was full but not too loose and it was medium to full body in strength. At the 3/4" mark the burn is way off to the point that I touch it up. The flavours went to a chocolate earthiness with the floral notes dissipating. I kept touching up this cigar or it would have burned completely on one side only. Past the one inch mark it goes back to a one-dimensional earthiness and continued that way until the end....very boring.
The person who told me this wasn't any good was correct. I still have several remaining and probably won't touch them for a few years. However, I wouldn't bet on them getting any better. I won't buy any more if I'm given the opportunity and don't recommend these to any of my readers. Save your money.
The one I tried this day was hard to the touch with some soft spots. It was darkish and bumpy in appearance with a couple of visible veins and a rounded cap. It's rough construction made it look a bit unattractive, the wrapper wasn't very pretty.
The pre-light gave me coffee and cedar while the first puffs gave me hints of floral, moving to earthy shortly afterwards. The burn was off right from the beginning and kept that way all the way through....it showed me that the roll was uneven. The draw was full but not too loose and it was medium to full body in strength. At the 3/4" mark the burn is way off to the point that I touch it up. The flavours went to a chocolate earthiness with the floral notes dissipating. I kept touching up this cigar or it would have burned completely on one side only. Past the one inch mark it goes back to a one-dimensional earthiness and continued that way until the end....very boring.
The person who told me this wasn't any good was correct. I still have several remaining and probably won't touch them for a few years. However, I wouldn't bet on them getting any better. I won't buy any more if I'm given the opportunity and don't recommend these to any of my readers. Save your money.
Toros y Tapas Restaurant (Havana) Miramar 2019
A Cuban friend of mine introduced me to this place back in March of 2016. I went a couple of times that year, we enjoyed it, and then for some reason never went back. It was probably because with limited time during my stays in Cuba, I want to try as many new restaurants as I can. On my last trip I didn't have an excuse, my stay was lengthy and being in Miramar, I practically walked by this restaurant once or twice a week. Finally, one day I decided to have lunch here by myself and later returned another time with my wife.
The restaurant hasn't changed, that's saying it still serves up mostly Spanish Cuisine and the quality of the food being served is still good. The service wasn't amazing but it wasn't horrible either. I will continue to keep this place on my list of go-to restaurants. I sat outside on both occasions since smoking is allowed only on the patio and as you all know, I smoke cigars. On previous visits we were given menus and a special board was brought to us. This time, on both occasions, we had a tent menu on the table and a special board was brought to us. I don't know if that means that they've done away with the menu but since there were so many things available otherwise, that made my decision difficult, the thought of a menu had never occurred to me at that time.
The first time I returned by myself I had the Duck Sliders topped with Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onions and the Garbanzo Fritto. Both were very good, the Chick Peas contained enough meat but in my opinion they could have used a little more sauce, they were a bit dry. When I returned with my wife I changed it up....I had the Veal Goulash (mini portion) to start and finished with the whole Red Snapper. I was very happy with both. My wife had the Tamal en Casuela (tamale casserole) as an appetizer, her favourite and finished with the Fish of the Day, she too was happy with her meal. A couple of menu items in mini sizes were given to us at the start, to pick at while we waited to order....that's where I got the idea to start with my Goulash appetizer. We went inside for dessert, where the air was a little cooler. The choices weren't great, we settled for a Lemon Tart and an Ice Cream. I will return here again and recommend it to anyone who's in the area. Reasonably priced, good value for your money.
Toros & Tapas
Calle 6 e/ 3ra y 1ra. No. 124.
Playa, Miramar, Havana
tel. +53 7 2021548
Email: torostapas@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/torostapashavana
Hours of operation:
From 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight. Everyday
The restaurant hasn't changed, that's saying it still serves up mostly Spanish Cuisine and the quality of the food being served is still good. The service wasn't amazing but it wasn't horrible either. I will continue to keep this place on my list of go-to restaurants. I sat outside on both occasions since smoking is allowed only on the patio and as you all know, I smoke cigars. On previous visits we were given menus and a special board was brought to us. This time, on both occasions, we had a tent menu on the table and a special board was brought to us. I don't know if that means that they've done away with the menu but since there were so many things available otherwise, that made my decision difficult, the thought of a menu had never occurred to me at that time.
The first time I returned by myself I had the Duck Sliders topped with Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onions and the Garbanzo Fritto. Both were very good, the Chick Peas contained enough meat but in my opinion they could have used a little more sauce, they were a bit dry. When I returned with my wife I changed it up....I had the Veal Goulash (mini portion) to start and finished with the whole Red Snapper. I was very happy with both. My wife had the Tamal en Casuela (tamale casserole) as an appetizer, her favourite and finished with the Fish of the Day, she too was happy with her meal. A couple of menu items in mini sizes were given to us at the start, to pick at while we waited to order....that's where I got the idea to start with my Goulash appetizer. We went inside for dessert, where the air was a little cooler. The choices weren't great, we settled for a Lemon Tart and an Ice Cream. I will return here again and recommend it to anyone who's in the area. Reasonably priced, good value for your money.
Toros & Tapas
Calle 6 e/ 3ra y 1ra. No. 124.
Playa, Miramar, Havana
tel. +53 7 2021548
Email: torostapas@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/torostapashavana
Hours of operation:
From 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight. Everyday
Garbanzo Fritto 5.50
Duck Sliders 10.00
Mini Eggplant Parmigiana & Veal Goulash Free
Appetizer Goulash 2.50
Tamal en Casuela 4.00
Fish of the Day 8.60
Snapper 14.00
Ice Cream 2.50
Lemon Tart 4.00
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