Robaina's

Robaina's
Robaina's plantation

Wednesday 27 June 2018

Melia Cohiba LCDH (Havana) 2018

                    This has always been one of my favourite Cigar Shops in Havana. It has a decent selection of cigars, an enormous bar serviced by an experienced bartender, a comfortable space for smoking with a large screen tv that always shows important soccer matches and has one of the best rollers in the city, Juanita. Unfortunately, I haven't seen Juanita in my last couple of visits, this one included. It seems that I always come around when it's Juanita's day off. The shop is located on the second floor of the hotel, up the escalator and turn right, you can't miss it.





Hotel Melia Cohiba
Ave Paseo entre 1 y 3, Havana




















Friday 15 June 2018

La Taberna del Galeon (Cigar Shop) March 2018

                        I love the manager that's in this place, Rene, he used to manage the Cigar Shop at the Romeo y Julieta Cigar Shop with Hamlet as the roller. Sadly, this isn't a shop where you'll find anything special in the way of Cigars. They mostly deal with the hordes of tourists that come by the busloads from near-by Plaza de Armas. I did find something here a couple years ago when I couldn't find it anywhere else but I think in a lot of cases it's being at the right place at the right time. Having said that, I love spending a little time here talking with Rene and catching up with the happenings in the cigar industry. Pay him a visit and tell him I say hello.





La Taberna del Galeon
Baratillo e/ Obispo y Jústiz
Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja
Havana












Manager Rene




Rene and his son

Club Melen (Restaurant) Havana

                         I came upon this restaurant during a walk along 1ra Ave. However, I've seen this place advertised for a long time in a magazine I subscribe to called 'Cuba Plus'. It was around noon, the place had just opened for the day, I decided to pop in and see the place for myself. I purchased a bottle of water and took a few pictures. The staff was pleasant and after looking over the menu I decided to make a reservation for dinner.
                         The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating but for some reason only the patio was open in the back of the house that's been converted into a restaurant. Just as well, it looked wonderful back there with the plants, trees and furnishing which the night lights made look even better. The service was great and the food passable...when I say passable I mean that for starters my wife had the Pumpkin Puree that was very difficult to eat due to all the garlic it contained. We both like garlic but it was way over the top. The waitress had the kitchen make us another one which was much better....I give her points for that. I had the Stuffed Potatoes which were ok but I was expecting them to be a little different, they had little flavour. We had the same main course, Swordfish with a side of mashed potatoes, and both were done very well. No complaints about the price, it was quite reasonable. Dinner for 2 with 2 glasses of wine and a sangria, $40 before gratuity.
                         The menu sports many appetizers, Pork, Chicken and Fish dishes as well as Pizza. My wife wants to return but I think I'd rather visit some other places before going back. If you're staying in one of the hotels near by like the 'Copacabana' across the street or one of the many Casas around that area, this would be an ideal spot for grab a lunch or dinner. Worth trying for yourself.








Calle 1ra #4603 e/ 46 y 60
Miramar. Playa, Havana
+53 7 2030433

















Pumpkin Soup $3.30


Stuffed Potato $3.30


Salad $2.50


Mashed Potatoes $2.15


Swordfish $7.15







Wednesday 6 June 2018

Cars of Cuba (March 2018 - 2)

                    This past March I was in Cuba for a longer period of time and I just couldn't resist taking pictures of cars....many of them. Below I've posted a second group of pictures that didn't make the first cut. It doesn't mean they don't equally deserve making the first post, it means I take way too many pictures. Enjoy.....