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.
