The Best Cuban Experience North Of Havana

Chef Douglas Rodriguez Offers Authentic Cuban Fare with an Elevated Twist at De Rodriguez Cuba
MIAMI - With a strong Latin American influence, Miami is teeming with restaurants churning out Latin fare but only a few offer truly authentic Cuban cuisine anymore. Spearheading the Nuevo Latino cuisine movement since the 1980's, Rodriguez has continued to elevate a traditionally simple Cuban cuisine for more refined taste buds. Continuing on he experimented fusing together old and new flavors from all over Latin America earning the title "Godfather of Nuevo Latino cuisine" and opening a string of eateries in cities including New York and Philadelphia. In 2004, Rodriguez sought to go back to where it all began, to his hometown of Miami for inspiration. His most recent venture, De Rodriguez Cuba at The Astor Hotel has brought about a new era for both Rodriguez and the Miami culinary scene, offering an unparallel Cuban experience - combining elements of old school Havana with new age techniques.
De Rodriguez Cuba opened this past December to much anticipation from visitors and guests seeking a venue where they could indulge in a distinctive Cuban fare while enjoying a high-end restaurant setting. The location at The Astor Hotel was a significant gamble for Rodriguez. The Astor Hotel experienced it's limelight in the 1990's as the 'seen and be seen' location for South Beach elite, but a string of eateries floundered in the hotel's dining room, dubbing it a 'bad location'. When developers reopened The Astor Hotel they approached Rodriguez to open a restaurant there. With a team of experts, De Rodriguez Cuba has come out swinging and can be credited with returning The Astor Hotel to its former glory.
De Rodriguez Cuba offers a perfect balance of Cuban favorites revamped and the "Nuevo Latino" cuisine Rodriguez become famous for. "With De Rodriguez Cuba, I really wanted to remember how I got to where I am today," explained Rodriguez. "I wanted to return to my roots and reinvent those classic dishes I grew up on and share them with the world" he continued. Another key component of Cuban culture is the celebration of music and De Rodriguez Cuba embraces the Cuban flavor with their Thursday night live music performances. With previous performances from Afro Cuban Funk group, PALO! and The Luis Bofill Quartet, De Rodriguez Cuba is excited to welcome new talent Coffee and Rum, who will perform every Thursday at 9:00pm at De Rodriguez Cuba's open-air space in the gardens of The Astor Hotel, a setting reminiscent of the grand Havana nights of the 1950's.
Currently, De Rodriguez Cuba is revamping their lounge Siboney with an eclectic, new look. With seating for 40, Siboney transports guests to the streets of Havana. The speakeasy-like lounge will have a separate entrance, sectioning it off from the rest of the restaurant. Offering an inspired cocktail menu created by Paul Sevingy and a delicious tapas menu, Siboney will be the perfect destination for those looking to escape typical Miami Beach nightlife. Upon entering, guests will step back into yesteryears with signature pieces from decades past ranging from the 1920's to the 1960's. Siboney is slated to reopen this for the 2010 holiday season.
Located at 956 Washington Avenue at The Astor Hotel in Miami Beach, De Rodriguez Cuba is open seven days a week, from 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Sunday - Thursday, and 6:00 pm - 2:00 am Friday - Saturday. For more information on De Rodriguez Cuba, visit www.drodriguezcuba.com or to make a reservation call 305.673.D-R-O-D (3763).

About DeRodriguez Group
The Godfather of Nuevo Latino Cuisine, Chef Douglas Rodriguez is a pioneer in the culinary world with a number of award-winning restaurants, best-selling c