Havana – November 2013 Moments, Meals And Cigars Part 3

7 Dec

 

nfc capWith Upmann and Partagas factories closed, I was fortunate to arrange a visit on short notice for the group to La Corona factory through a good friend.

Happy to greet Inalvis, Omar and Fidel, a great Salomones roller who showed us his skills.

Next day it was off to visit Hector Luis and Miguel and a half day at the Vega. The most pleasant surprise was arriving to a full bar staffed by barmen from Espacios in Havana and getting perfect Mojitos.

That is progress I can get used to … forget about repairing the access road.

What can I say about the pork, rice and beans lunch – Unique as always.

That night we had another great dinner of river prawns prepared by Silvia at Villa Campana.

My favourite Casa in Viñales is now larger as 2 new rooms have been added at the cost of not having the rear garden and the Ranchon that I loved – progress again and they need the income.
So be it.

While in Viñales it was celebration time for Andreas as it happened to be the “Day of the Pharmacist” in Cuba – we wondered when and where they have their back room cigar meetings …

Back in Havana more great boxes were found – MC Sublimes EL ’08 and Cohiba 1966. Both amazingly good cigars with an advantage by the ’66 due to the Sublimes being a bit humid.

Another group lunch was had at the Prado terrace, and the food was perfect again. Great place.

A new Paladar has opened near the Melia Cohiba, La Catedral, and we found it packed with Cubans enjoying their very affordable menu – Andreas was sooo swept away finding “The Nose” …

It was time to say good-bye to my favourite smoking lounge and what better farewell than having more Mulata Añejo and ’66 sticks ?

Last dinner was with local friends at La Guarida, arguably the best Paladar in Cuba, having the best Caesar’s salad, freshly prepared at the table and a remarkable Merlin filet, recommended by owner Ernesto and Vivian after being proudly shown the new kitchen facilities – La Guarida acquired 2 next door apartments and moved the kitchen from the cramped tiny space which has now become a bar – brilliant.

Another fantastic venue to visit again next trip.
But make that small tables, just the truly interested.
Hasta luego ….

Nino


 

5 Responses to “Havana – November 2013 Moments, Meals And Cigars Part 3”

  1. Simon 07/12/2013 at 17:59 #

    Socio,

    Era un tiempo muy precio. Buenos recuerdos 🙂

    Hasta pronto amigo!

    Simon

    • Nino Munoz 07/12/2013 at 19:12 #

      Gracias mon frere,

      corto y muy intenso pero buen tiempo – hasta pronto y gracias por compartir !

      Un abrazo / Nino

  2. michel 07/12/2013 at 20:36 #

    hi nino

    toller eintrag und schöne fotos.

    da ich nächstes jahr, das erste mal, mit meiner freundin nach cuba gehe, wäre ich dir sehr dankbar, wenn du mir vielleicht ein paar casas empfehlen könnstest.
    danke im voraus und weiter so mit dem blog.

    grusse aus der schweiz

    michel

    • Nino Munoz 24/12/2013 at 17:46 #

      Danke Michel,

      und sorry für die verspätete Antwort – hier eine Seite von einem befreundeten Zigarrenblogger die IMHO sehr gute Casas Particulares in Havanna vermittelt :

      http://www.cubacasarentals.com/properties.html

      Und hier eine andere für Cuba allgemein :

      http://www.casaparticular.info/

      Gruss / Nino

      • michel 31/12/2013 at 19:26 #

        danke vielmals nino

        wünsche dir noch einen guten und rauchigen rutsch

        LG michel