A Really Great Lunch at De Rodriguez Cuba

Empanadas

When I was working as the editor of 944 Magazine, I wrote about new restaurants and bars all the time. The operative word being new. But what happens when all the buzz wears off and the eatery is -gasp - a couple of years old? There's generally not much follow up for that. Such is the case of De Rodriguez Cuba in the Hilton Bentley Bay. I hadn't eaten there since their opening and I had a hankering for some rice and beans that didn't come from Pollo Tropical or David's Cafe, so my husband and I decided to take our bikes and dine beach, er, poolfront.

So, unlike a lot of restaurants, it turns out the food is actually better than when it opened. And the prices are really reasonable for the high quality of the food.

Everything we ordered was divine - especially a Watercress Salad with goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, puree and oil. The Chicken Empanadsas were delicious as was a $12 giant plate of fried fish tacos.

Even the sparkling water was bubbled in house in the modern, eco style.

The patio had some diners, but the restaurant was empty. Which is just plain wrong.  I know Miamians are fickle, and frankly there are just too many restaurants courting too few diners for them all to be full, but

Douglas Rodriguez

is one of Miami's great chefs and worth of respect and a crowd. Give it a try next time you're on South Point.