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From 1550 to 1914 Spanish coins were used the ‘fuerte’.
During the Independence war, Spain through Banco
Espanol issued Paper money while during American
occupation the USD were the official currency in the
eastern part of Cuba where as the western region
continued to use the Spanish gold and silver coins
and USD. On October 29, 1914 the Cuban currency came
on the market: the first Cuban gold coin.
It was similar to USD ones. After three years, the
Spanish coins were all removed of the market whereas
the USD continued to circulate. Stepping in the Cuba
de ayer restaurant, one plunges in old Cuba. As its
name, ‘ayer’, suggests, the Cuba of ‘yesterday’ or
‘the good old days’. A free Cuba is reminiscent in
Cuba de ayer. Photos of the pre-revolutionary Cuba,
the antique cars and the colonial architectures
amongst others, bring back to memories the old good
times before the 1959 revolution. The welcoming
atmosphere, the warmth, the flavors, the smells of
the various spices remind us of our Cuban grandma’s
cuisine as one enters Cuba de ayer restaurant;
Grandma’s cuisine in rural Cuban where the food
served has a home made touch and invite the happy
customers to renew their Cuban experience in
Burtonsville in the heart of Washington.
Opened in June 2005, the cuisine at Cuba de ayer has
neither Caribbean nor ‘criollo’ or Creole. It has a
Spanish influence. As Cuban food is highly seasoned
but not spicy as in other Latin American cuisine, a
variety of sauces for example garlic sauce or
criollo sauce is available on request to the tasting
of the customers. In this restaurant, old family
traditional dishes are cooked and served in a home
style fashion for the Hispanic/Cuban population.
Lunching or dinning at Cuba de ayer make the Cubans
natives feel homesick of their happy days of the
free Cuba.
A variety of dishes are available for different
occasions ranging to a christenings, birthdays,
candlelight romantic dinner as well as business
lunch in Cuba de ayer and this for all ages. The
appetizers, the soup, the salad, the side orders,
the dessert all make the happiness one and all.
As starters, the ‘Lechon asado’ is highly
recommended, the pork shoulder marinated in a ‘mojo
criollo’ sauce accompanied with sautéed onions is
very delicious and invites the fin gourmet to enter
the Cuban cuisine and taste all their specialities.
The Ropa vieja or ‘ old clothes’ which is beef
cooked with sweet peppers, onions and garlic is a
must as the meat is so tender that it shreds off
when in the mouth.
Cuba de ayer is also synonym of quick efficient
service, good food in an adequate portion at a
reasonable price. It is a must for all lovers of
first choice traditional Cuban food. Opened for
dinner, all days except Monday, Cuba de ayer, a
family-run restaurant with the owners having strong
ties with the homeland though American born is worth
the detour for gourmet of the Cuban cuisine and
food. |
