5 Bites from Cuba! Want To Go?

photos by Maddy Beckwith

Metrocurean's good friend Maddy Beckwith (and 5 Bites repeat performer) got the chance to visit Cuba on a recent trip with Cuba Libre chef Guillermo Pernot. I lived vicariously through her stories upon return of the state-run restaurants, paladares, sweet mojitos and vibrant city life in Havana.

For this very special edition of 5 Bites, Maddy recounts the highlights of eating through Cuba.

1. Vaca frita, beef sirloin that is seared, braised, chilled, thinly sliced and fried, at the state-run Cafe del Oriente

2. Papaya lasagna stuffed with crabmeat, “holland" sauce and topped with a lime citrus compote from La Guarida in Habana Viejo

3. Scrambled eggs with peas, bananas and raisins — standard hotel breakfast fare

4. Cuatro leches — four milk cake — with evaporated milk, condensed milk, heavy cream and dulce de leche at Habana Chef in Verdado

5. Yucca con mojo con chicharrones at Ajiaco in Cojimar


... And, of course, mojitos, everywhere, all the time, made with more sugar than you can imagine, Havana Club Anejo Blanco rum and a few drops of angostura bitters.

Want to go to Cuba? The April trip that chef Pernot organized with Insight Cuba, a provider of authorized people-to-people travel to Cuba for US citizens, filled up so quickly that they're planning a second trip this November. To reserve a spot or for more information on how to join the next trip to Havana email: cubatrip@cubalibrerestaurant.com.