Caliente Bistro on 7th Avenue, in the historic Ybor City section
of Tampa, Florida features some of the best real Cuban cuisine,
made by real Cuban ladies. They brought their recipes with them
from Cuba. Mimi, the 25-year old owner is as beautiful as the
food is great. I give them both a "10".
Mimi, the beautiful 25-year old Cuban entrepreneur, opened
Caliente Bistro just four months ago. I hadn't planned on going
to Caliente Bistro this day. As a matter of fact, I planned on
eating at a different restaurant, but when I got there the wait
was too long. I walked on down the street to see a sign
pronouncing the opening of a new Cuban restaurant, and I
couldn't resist.
I've come to find that many times the best things in life happen
by mistake. To quote one of my favorite authors, Randy Wayne
White, "Nearly all life's passages, tranquil or tragic, hinge on
a random intersecting of events, a chance meeting, or on some
seemingly insignificant decision."
Perhaps this is true for Mimi and Caliente Bistro as well. Mimi
became a successful telecommunications reseller and moved to
California. California was ok, but not as good as she thought it
would be, so she ended up back in Ybor City wondering what her
next move would be. Caliente Bistro was born. She says, "I
worked in restaurants and bars for a long time, I enjoy dealing
with people and I love Ybor City. I wanted to be in the
restaurant business, but didn't want to have a boss. My mom and
aunt said they would supply the authentic Cuban recipes and the
cooking. My mom always had her own business when I was growing
up, so I guess being an entrepreneur is in my blood."
If you're looking for posh surroundings and prices meant for
tourists, then Caliente Bistro is not the place for you.
However, if you want the real feel for Havana in simple, yet
warm surroundings and hearty, homemade food that is the real
taste of Cuba, Caliente Bistro is a must. I haven't been to
Cuba, but from reading many articles and seeing pictures, this
seems just like the places they have there; small, family run,
warm and friendly, with food that you will have you longing to
return. The food is made fresh every day, and sometimes certain
popular items will sell out. You can see from the wall-menu on
the right, that the Chicken Frito, Palomilla Steak and Huevos
con Rice & Beans sold out the day I visited.
I ordered the Roast Pork, and when I hesitated on my decision
between red beans or black beans, Mimi gave me both along with
yellow rice. Nice. The portion she served reminded me of the
portions my mom dishes out. I wonder if the two of them have a
conspiracy to get me fat?
I love Latin food. I eat it all the time and have access to some
of the best being that I live in the Miami area. Therefore, I
believe myself to be somewhat of a connoisseur. Caliente Bistro
passed the test. I ate until it hurt and still couldn't finish
everything on my plate.
If you are going to be in Tampa, be sure to visit Caliente
Bistro, 1817 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. 813-248-8580 and
tell them Kevin from Cigar review sent you.
About the author:
Kevin Godbee is the editor and publisher of
http://www.cigar-review.com, a web site dedicated to cigars and all the things that go
along with them including fine food and drink as well as the
gorgeous women who smoke cigars.
