NAME THAT COUNTRY

 

5 Sentidos in our mystery country’s capital city is one of our favorite paladares. A paladar is a privately owned and operated restaurant, usually in a restored house. Paladares, among other micro-businesses, have flourished in the country since reform to the state-run economy took effect in 2011. Finding a variety of interesting ingredients is a challenge in this country of shortages and rationing, but with the help of an extensive black market and native creativity, there is no shortage of world-class dining in the larger cities.

 

Can you name that country? 
See below for answers.

Continue reading

NAME THAT COUNTRY

 

The Paseo del Prado in Cienfuegos is the longest pedestrian promenade in the country. It stretches about 2km across the city to the malecón, the waterfront promenade. Developed by French settlers in the 19th century, Cienfuegos is much younger than the Spanish colonial cities of the country and its abundant Neoclassical architecture gives it a distinctive feel. Many of the city’s beautiful buildings can be seen along the Paseo del Prado.

 

Can you name that country? 
See below for answers.

Continue reading

NAME THAT COUNTRY

 

Most Ya’lla tours to our mystery country include dinners and lunches at paladars, like Guitarra Mia. A paladar is a privately owned restaurant, usually family operated and located in a converted home. When we first started selling tours to this country in 2002, food was definitely not a selling point, mainly because of the scarcity of ingredients. Since 1993, the largely state-run economy has allowed the operation of small, private businesses. Relying on black market suppliers, paladars began to pop up gradually in major cities. With further economic reforms in 2010, the industry of small, private restaurants really took off. Today, hundreds of paladars operate across the country, mainly supported by tourists. While it’s not quite a culinary destination, yet, there’s enough variety and innovation here to satisfy the most refined palate.

 

Can you name that country? 
See below for answers.

Continue reading

The Best Paladares in Cuba

A paladar is a privately owned and operated restaurant in Cuba. Although they have been around since the 1990s (and illegally so before that), paladares are having a bit of a surge right now. That’s an understatement, really, they’re going gangbusters, popping up all over the place in Havana and Trinidad and even in some smaller cities, like Cienfuegos. Since new economic reforms introduced in late 2010, the paladares have a lot more freedom around what they can serve and the number of diners they can seat. Continue reading