After a busy morning deep cleaning and dusting the house, which included rearranging the living room for optimal football viewing on Sunday, we decided to head to Little Havana for some downtime and just a bit of chill after a hectic week of planning, work, and travel. My hubby was in and out of town so much that I think I should have free parking at the airport by now. But anyway, we made the decision to hit up a few of our favorite spots in Little Havana and explore a potential new one. Now usually when we go we hit up Little Havana Cigar Factory, the Visitor Center and La Isla Art shop but, this trip I decided to change things up. I have always walked past it so today we hit the Ball and Chain next to Little Havana Cigar Company on Calle Ocho (SW 8th St for those not from here). We've walked by it a hundred times, but finally went in and made our way to the back courtyard. There's a small stage where a trio was playing Cuban music in the inner patio that has spaces set up for private conversation or dancing (depending on what you're feeling). We spent a little time at the bar sampling rum cocktails infused with coffee (I recommend the Havana Café) and mojo chicken sliders. We both spied what we first thought was bacon, but realized was sliced plantains, so we tried their MARIQUITAS DE MADUROS - plantains thinly sliced lengthwise, deep-fried crispy and salted. A great blend of salty/sweet. Our bartender humored us and gave us a sampling of three aged rums, Bacardi 8, Santa Teresa 1796, and Ron Zacapa 23. All are aged, spiced rums, each with their own flavor profile going from strongest in flavor to sweetest. I chose the Santa Teresa for my next cocktail, Calle Ocho Old Fashioned. It was splendor in a glass. Refined, balanced, spritely and luscious. It was a warm hug without the excessive sugar. So after closing our tab and stepping out the back way we rounded on to my most favorite cigar shop around, Little Havana Cigar Factory where we picked three cigars to share for Sunday NFL action. They gave us some complimentary shots of Cubano coffee which, by the way, pairs best with their cigars. This little shop always has a wide variety of cigars from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras just to name a few. They also have the best supply of cigar accessories and art. The art is locally crafted and a beautiful addition to anyone's home. (full disclosure I own two pieces from this store alone).
From here we walked back down Calle Ocho for some more snacks at Ella's Oyster Bar. A dozen happy hour oysters, two Pinot Grigio's, and some crab croquettes hit the spot. Now we've been to Ella's a few times and I have to say it is always fresh, a good vibe and easy to lose time in this space. The pinot grigio is cold, the atmosphere is prime for people watching or just catching up with a friend and definitely a good spot for some appetizers and chilled wine.
After chilling in Little Havana we decided to hop over to St Roch (they are about six miles apart). Bartholomew, Valentine, and Maxwell were on shift. Now normally, neither myself nor my husband are cocktail people but, when it comes to these guys I know I don't have to think or worry and that something amazing is about to be birthed. We asked Bartholomew to just make us "something" , he asked a few questions, knowing we have a preference for whiskey and he created the most amazing whiskey cocktail . . . It is winter and summer and bright and warm all in a single glass. What I think I love most is that it is never the same twice. You see, the ingredients may be the same but the flare is not thus the flavor is not. Bartholomew and Maxwell made me the same cocktail yet it was different each time. Valentine, on the other hand, is a genius when it comes to balance. His idea was completely different and totally Miami. The drink still had a rye whiskey base but the direction was opposite and the sensory journey something to lift you beyond the real. It's bananas and sour and sweet and succulent. So many flavors that you just have to close your eyes, sit back, breath it in and exhale into a wonderland. The nose and flavor are so opposite yet both feed into a sensory adventure that does not disappoint.
While hanging out we noticed that Maxwell was concocting a new brew of lemongrass and agave in the sous vide which just speaks to the creative genius of this group. They are constantly searching, constantly stretching the boundaries of what we expect. They understand the need to appeal to both senses, nose, and mouth. It is never a disappointment and yet what always amazes me is how well everything they create pairs with the food at St. Roch. These cocktails held up and somehow managed to enhance the flavors of Kali's Island Jerk Chicken, Chef Chloe's Cookies and Coop's Chicken Tacos plus the Beyond Burger (also from Coop). It just astounds me how good these guys are at their craft. How it always pairs with everything within the market space is astounding to me; I never tell them what food I've ordered yet it always pairs. It always leaves me wanting more.
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