I just got back from a fabulous trip to South Florida (more about this later). One of the biggest draws for me when I am visiting Miami (Area Code 305), besides visiting family and enjoying the mostly perfect beach weather is, of course, the Cuban food.
Bistec de palomilla, moros y cristianos, maduros (you could die from such beauty):
I had this suberb meal at a place called Casavana in Homestead, Florida.
Another very Cuban phenomenon in South Florida is the mass consumption at all hours of the day and night of authentic Cuban espresso. Always ordered with the diminutive "-ito" at the end.
"Un cortadito."
"Una coladita."
"Un cafecito."
"Un (insert your favorite coffee drink)-ito."
When I'm at home I don't usually have much more than two cups of mild coffee in an entire day, but being in the 305 makes me crave Cuban coffee after every meal and at all hours. It must be a recessive gene stimulated by geographical proximity to the Motherland.
If nothing else, we have an informal "coffee break" in the afternoons. At my house, we call it Taka Taka Time. (If you're on Facebook you can "like" Taka Taka" here.)
Watch my daughter, Amy Kikita making coffee and you will understand about the Taka Taka at about the 1:37 mark. (What's up with all these numbers today, Marta?)
Which begs the question: what time exactly is Taka Taka Time? In Miami, there's a movement to make 3:05 (like the area code) the official Miami Cafecito Break Time. I love that! That's right. Thanks to the genius of JennyLee Molina of JLPR who came up with the concept and my friend, Elena Santayana Power, who shared it with me (of Santayana Jewelers, who also happen to be in the 305, but that's not important right now) the 3:05 Miami Cafecito Break has its own Fan page. Click here to "like."
Although, I'm thinking that here on the West Coast, the Cafecito time would be at 3:10. (For those of you who don't know, since Pitbull never sang about our area codes, 310 is the area code for greater Los Angeles. You're welcome.)
There is something so sublime about that first sip of freshly brewed Cuban espresso with the perfect Killer Espuma®. (Please ignore my 305-frizzy hair as this photo was taken in the middle of a rain storm. Thankyouverymuch.)
I got so used to the multiple coladas during the day, that I had a hard time adjusting to the lack of Café Cubano windows on every corner like there are in The 305.
So much so that I had to resort to the next best thing, but at 3:10, of course. I know. Shut up.
I kept wanting to “Like” your pics and statements!!! LOL!!! Too much Facebook for me!!! LOL!!!! I love you my friend! So glad you had a great time!!!
Marta, I have to disagree with the “305-frizzy hair” statement. While you were here, we were having “Good Hair Days”. Yes, believe it or not, even when it rains in the winter in South Florida, hair frizzies are at a minimum compared to the dog days of August/September/October. I think your hair looks great in these pics!
Thanks for following me, Ody! You are a faithful friend. 😉
True. It could be 1,000 times worse if I was sweating, too. LOLYou are being nice. Thanks. =)
There’s a Casavana just over a mile from my house, and a Sergio’s 2.5 miles away. Very, very dangerous…That is NOT frizzy hair!
love you!
Marta, if that’s frizzy hair, you do NOT know frizz! I too really enjoyed this post!
Marta, Your writing in your blog is so creative..it brings us a smile as we read it. Thank you…Now, let me get back to the cafecito subject.I was raised on cafe con leche. But, never really drank cafe cubano by itself in the middle of the day like my mom does (everytime a neighbor or visitor stops by). Recently, because of your great photos and postings I crave it more and more. Thank you for making me a better Cuban.
If you’re trying to make me jealous…..it’s working.Okay, maybe not frizzy, but certainly BAD. 😉
Love you MORE.
Thanks, Ana.Trust me. I know frizz! xoxo
Victor,I made you a better Cuban?
That’s the Highest Praise of All.
Besos!
M
Marta, I love reading all of your posts. My friend/coworker Michelle Pannell told me about you. My wife is Cuban and I love being part of it. Although we are from here, we returned from the 305 2 years ago after living there for 6 years. I miss the Cuban food/culture/walk up windows so much and wish we had it here. We have no Cuban friends here which is very sad for my wife as she loves her Cuban heritage. Irvine is not very Cuban or anything… So glad you had fun, we can’t wait for a visit back — nothing in the world like being Cuban or married to one. Thanks, Matteo
Hi Matteo,Thanks for the kind words.
I’ll have to make some homemade pastelitos and have Michelle deliver them to you. =)
PS. My husband agrees about the “being married to one” part.
Besos,
Marta
Glad you had a good time in our 305! I have a Casavana AND a Sergio’s about a mile away from my home, in Kendall. And the amazing thing is that they both deliver!!! :)P.S. Your hair is not frizzy at all. But if you visit in August/September, beware of the 305 Frizz Monster!
Un abrazo,
Victoria