Family Pictures

Is this a Mini-Mommy or what?

Christmas Eve at the Rodriguez house...

Madelyn drinking with Mom and Tia Julie...

Boston Marathon Track Workout

Saturday, 12-24-2005
Goal Workout
2 x (2000-1600-1200) with 3' jog rest / 6' jog rest between sets
Goal Pace
2 x (6:15-5:00-3:45)

Actual Workout Pace
6:14-4:59-3:41 / 6:21-4:55-3:35

Casa Larios

Date #1: Best Cuban Restaurant

I have initiated a dating ritual with my wife since moving to Miami and it includes selecting a restaurant from the Miami New Times "Best Of" lists. So, after reading through the list, my wife selected Casa Larios, which was voted not only a 10 Best Restaurant in Miami, but was also bestowed the honor of Best Cuban Restaurant by the New Times.

Perla's reasoning for choosing a Cuban restaurant first was so that we could "get it out of the way" since we would be eating Cuban food almost daily (especially during the Holidays) and she wanted to experience "the best" Cuban food right away. So, out we went on our first date in Miami...

We arrived quickly to Casa Larios, an almost unnoticeable restaurant located on Flagler outside of the Miami International Mall. Upon entering we were bombarded by Cuban decorations, left and right. There were ancient maps of Cuba, pictures from Cuban artists, and all the walls were covered with old Cuban newspapers, which made for interesting dinner reading while we waited for our food. So, what did we order?

We started off with the classic Cuban drink: dos Mojitos. A Mojito typically consists of rum, lots of spearmint leaves, limes, club soda, and some simple syrup or sugar. I felt like I was drinking a glass of grass mashed in the water, but it tasted quite good. For appetizers, we ordered the traditional mariquitas, which are plantain chips with mojo (garlic) sauce. We would soon joke that on the petite island of Cuba there are not many food options and since bananas are plentiful there are several ways to prepare a banana or plantain, as you will soon read.

For dinner, I ordered the Carnera Asada, which was two delciously prepared lamb chops with plenty of sauce and flavor with white rice and maduros.. my favorite way to eat plantains. Our flamboyant waiter, Luis, after learning that Perla was una Mexicana en Miami ordered for her and did not allow her to order the same plate as myself, which was the special. So, she, rather Luis, ordered un bistec de palomilla with brown rice (arroz moreno) and tostadas, which are flattened plantains.

So, we shared dinner, splitting the meals so we could get the full taste of Cuba. I swear, we finished our full plates in less than ten minutes: it was that delicious. I loved it. I had not eaten good Cuban food in years and I was actually not even looking forward to going out for Cuban since we eat it so often, but man, I cannot wait to go back.

We topped off the night with two Cuban coffees, actually, I had another one before we left. Just the perfect ending to our dinner date. Aboslutely decicious and gets a *** out of ***** stars. The price was very reasonable as well, but the date with my wife was priceless as I feel it has been years since we've enjoyed each other's company.

Until our next date, this is Chef Rodriguez, signing off...

Dream Christmas Wish List

1. Century Home Builders Ashford Home at Kendall Breeze
2. Carrollton Montessori School of the Sacred Heart (for Madelyn)
3. Infiniti G35 6MT Sedan
4. Porsche Cayenne (for Perla)
5. Cuervo y Sobrinos Torpedo GMT

Boston Marathon Track Workout

Monday, 12-13-05
Goal Workout
2 x (1600-1200-1600m) with 3' jog rest / 6' jog rest between sets
Goal Pace
2 x (5:00-3:45-5:00)
Actual Pace
4:55-3:43-5:02 / 4:58-3:45-5:01