This afternoon, after several false starts ('okay, who's driving?  No, we have to wait, my mother's getting her nails done.  Do you want to drive?  Will you meet us thee?  Look, I don't see why we can't all drive together....') we finally did manage to meet at the intersection of Fayette street and Broadway, just a little south of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, at the Jose Marti Memorial.  Our Social Media friend Samad was there with a camera worth more that I make in a week.  As Samad shot the statue, and the women, and the roses, I managed to hover over his shoulder, providing the off-camera narrative.  In the end, it was a sweet, touching, dignified tribute.  I am sure that we all have someone, or something in our lives that deserves our reverence and tribute.  I was most pleased to have been there today.

Meanwhile back at the Kitchen, Alan and Jesse worked on some delightful specialties for the weekend and the Happy Hour Celebration menus.   Marta took Martha and Inez home, and returned to help plan out the weekend.

It was a most pleasant day.

Simple Recipe

Yuce Frita!

Yuca frita is our version of a steak fry, but we use yuca instead of potatoes! We boil the yuca first so that it releases some of its starch then we cut it into thick wedges and fry it. Served with Havana Road Mojo and lime wedges this recipe is a must!

Serves 4-6

2 lbs  yuca washed and cut into fat wedges
6 cups water to boil
3 tsp salt
vegetable oil for frying
Mojo for dipping

Pour the water and salt into a deep pan and boil. Add the yuca wedges and bring to a boil a second time. 15-20 minutes until yuca is al dente.

Remove the yuca and drain over a paper towel or in a colander. Heat the oil to 360 degrees. Make sure that the oil is hot before you fry the yuca--the yuca will be too oily if you don't do this.

Fry the yuca until golden brown. Sprinkle with salt while hot and serve ! Don't for get the Mojo for dipping:) Buen Provecho!

Marta Quintana
i ♥ QBA
443-744-4428



The Ghost Blog
                                  YOU NEVER KNOW

I was sitting with Michael at lunchtime today, working on the JOSE MARTI WEEKEND SPECIALS, and a fella walked by and used the restroom....
'He just walked in off of the street!'
'So?  Wht do ya wanna me do?  Escort him to the curb?'
'Well...'
'Hey Buddy! I just wanted to remind you to join us this Thursday for our Jose Marti celebration!  Complimentary Cuba Libre's!'
So it turns out that the guy is a well-known chef, famed from Boston to Atlanta, Just the kind of fella we like to meet.  His name is Sammy Davis, Jr.  (Can you beat that?  And I just saw the original Oceans Eleven on Turner last night!)
So there's a lesson here:  You never know.  That's the lesson.  We made a new friend, a really cool friend...What if we had objected to his use of the restroom, believing that he had just ambled in from Pennsylvania Avenue?  You never know.
'
Havana Road News.
THE GHOST NEWSWRITER
Marta is putting on her makeup, so in the ensuring 45 minutes, I am writing the news.
Thursday.  The anniversary of the death of Jose Marti Perez, a great, great champion of independence throughout the hemisphere.  We will be celebrating here at the restaurant, and La Senora Martha de Quintana, Marta, and Inez, the three generations of Quintana women, will first place a freshette of yellow and white roses at the Marti monument at the corner of Broadway and LaFayette streets in Baltimore.  It is a solemn and joyous occassion, the celebration of the life of a great hero of all humankind.
So, we will see you Thursday, and then again on Friday, the 109th anniversary of Cuban independence from Spain.  Every great culture honors its own Independence Day like no other political day.  More Great Food and Drink, more Great Celebration.
Elsewhere in the news, Havana Road recently provided food service as a gift to our friends at the reception held for the Trustees of the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on Eastern Avenue.  The food was great, the crowd was wowed.  We were delighted.
Nothing to do early on a Sunday morning?  Well, you can commune with Marta on channels WJZ and WBAL.  Tune in JZ on the 5th at 8:30 and BAL on June 12th at 7:40 and again at 9:40.

The sweetness and beauty of a fresh roasted red pepper is a wonder to be admired! For our soup of the day, I roasted big , nice Red Peppers and was flooded with memories , as the sweet aromas filled the kitchen. it was an inspiration. Slowly I started to build my Great Grandmothers Roasted Red Pepper soup, taking great care that each pepper was just so and each ingredient had time to give off its flavor. The result is a smooth, sweet ,flavorful soup that is addictive to the palate. Come try some----it might bring you a memory!

Havana Road News

As May 19th, the anniversary of the death of Jose Marti approaches, our crew is getting ready with special menus, dedications and the excitement permeates our restaurant!

Jose Marti, a Cuban national is known as the " Apostle of Cuban Independence" . He dedicated his life to promoting liberty, political independence for Cuba and intellectual independence for all Latin America. His death on the front lines , on may 19th 1895, was a call to arms to the Cuban people to unite parties and seek their independence from the mother country Spain.

Jose Marti is also considered on of the greatest turn of the century Latin American writers. His works consist of poems, essays, a novel and children magazine. One of his most popular poems from his Versos Sencillos book was adapted into a song " Guantanamera"~~ a very patriotic Cuban song.

Throughout his writings you will find the concept of freedom, liberty and democracy as common and prominent themes.

There is a statue of Jose Marti on Broadway Street here in Baltimore. Underneath it lies the soil of 21 Latin American countries. A symbol of unification amongst all Latin American Countries, and a reminder of the different Latin American countries that have made Maryland their home. 

I am proud of my Cuban heritage, as well as my Spaniard heritage. As I celebrate Cuba's independence from Spain  on May 20th, I won't be turning my back on Spain, but rather will be celebrating a historic event tat marked my fellow Cuban's patriotism, nationalism and their fight for freedom and democracy. I will be visiting Marti's monument this Thursday to pay homage to a fallen hero, and place yellow roses as a symbol of gratitude.
the next Independence that I will celebrate will be Cuba's independence from  Dictatorship-
Que Viva Cuba Libre!

Many of you know that my Mother Martha, is an instrumental part of all the dishes that we serve, for they are her recipes. She is eighty four years old and I find myself cherishing our time together even more and from a distance watch her move about, doing everything she can to help me. Mom, I want you to know that the mundane tasks that were sometimes taken for granted, reinforced the platform, the essence of what made me feel safe in this world.

All my accomplishments would not have materialized had I not believed in myself first. You pushed me to do so. You always believed and still believe in me.

You came to an unknown country literally fleeing for your life and that of your family. You stood strong against adversity, never gave up and helped my father, your husband regain his self worth. You always held your head up high and told me that dignity is the one thing that on one can take away from you.

When the day comes that time parts us, I hope that you will reach across the eternal bridge and let me feel you presence. For all that is, your presence in my life, i will always be most thankful. I love you Mom.

Havana Road News

Chef Marta Quintana will be visiting Mercy High School, were she will have the opportunity to meet with about twenty Latina girls from all countries. A mentoring program is on the way. Through the summer, Marta will meet with the parents of these girls to discuss, cultures, raising teenagers in a different country and culture and bringing together the best of both worlds.

Havana Road is set to take  five Mojo Sauces to market. Mango Lime Mojo- Mojo Bar-B -q- Sauce, Herb Mojo, Mango-Coconut Mojo. We will me meeting with Whole Foods June 2nd, More to come later on this topic.

Fresh Pack---WHEN??? Soon, we are working on the last recipes, then costing then to market. We will keep you posted!

On the Summer Menu Front, we report this. New lighter fare for our summer menu and more dessert options! We will also have more Vegan and Vegetarian options. Cuban cuisine always had these--we just didn't know them as such!!

Kudos to all Havana Road staff who kicked butt Saturday night. Thank you guys!! You ROCKED! Thank you to our diners who came in in spite of the rain--YOU TOTALLY ROCK!! Thank you!

Havana Road Bathroom Art. STOP by and see our bathroom this week. Ashley, a local Towson University artist should complete our Bathroom Art this week:)

Join us for Happy Hour Thursday and Friday as we celebrate the anniversary of Jose Marti's death May 19th and the Cuba's Independence from Spain may 20th. Complimentary Cuba Libres! Que viva Cuba Libre! Have an awesome day! See you at Havana Road:) Chef Marta 

With summer upon us, I feel the anticipation of fresh produce and fruits from local Farmer's Markets. The smell and feel of a sweet, large beef steak tomato grilled and drizzled with a little reduced balsamic, yes! Or, a fresh pineapple chunked  and made into a Cuban Batido with ice cold milk--uumm--fresh fruit baditos ( milkshakes) all summer long. A very Cuban thing!

I await eagerly the afternoons when I can linger with the ambiance and  freshness of our local Farmer's Markets. Smelling and caressing each piece of fruit , vegetable or flowers  that are available, and just taking it all in . Summer brings sunshine, happiness, hope and romance. Embrace it, its' on its' way! Que siga la fiesta~~ Let the good times roll:)

Havana Road News

Good morning America!! Buenos Dias! Today our event committee will be planning 2 very important events- the anniversary of the death of Jose Marti who was instrumental in Cuba's liberation from Spain , on May 19th, 1885  and the Independence of Cuba from Spain on May 20th, 1898. Every day i will be posting small facts about Cuba's War of Independence, please tune in for a bit of history!

Havana Road will be having special Cuban dishes on its Weekend Specials the Weekend of May 19th- May 21st and will be offering complimentary Cuba Libres with its Happy Hour Menu! Please join us , as we celebrate this special day for all Cubans!

On another note, if you want to see Chef Marta cooking live and sharing recipes, please log on to WBAL's web site and follow the link to Hispanic Heritage. More videos and recipes to come soon-have a special recipe and care to share???? Please e-mail them to martaq.havanaroad@gmail.com!

Our fundraiser for a local SPCA is on the planning board and we will be selecting a date soon. Stay tuned!

Graduation celebrations? Remember that we cater and deliver. Offer a spectacular meal to your guests--Havana Road!

This is all for today, thank you for tuning it. Tomorrow---what's new? See you then--have an amazing day!

Today, my blog is dedicated to the person behind the success of Havana Road-my Mom! My Mom is 84 years old. She is an amazingly creative and dynamic woman who never ceases to amaze me. She gives me comfort, support, holds me when the chips are down. With her magical hands, she creates such amazing food, that when diners say this tastes like my Mom is in the kitchen cooking I say" My Mom is in the kitchen cooking!" Wow!!

You know, we all get busy with work, marriages, errands, kids and we forget to call or go see the person who gave us life and raised us- our Moms. Pick up the phone this morning and say,- Hi Mom, just called  to say hello! If your Mom is no longer , say hello anyway, she'll let you know she heard you:)

Moms--the best creation of God.

Come celebrate Mother's Day with us at Havana Road. We have a special fixed price Mother's Day Brunch and still have a few seatings left. Reservations only--Mom's can't be kept waiting! Call us today to make your reservations!

Havana Road News.

On todays broadcast-Havana Road--what is next for this company?? Our friends want to know!

Quintana Enterprises Inc. trading as Havana Road has BIG plans and visions! First on the docket- Havana Road Fresh Pack! We are currently in discussions with a large production company that will enable us to mass produce our Entrees in Fresh Pack form!! Lunch or diner to go, to be found at a Whole Foods Market near you! Our goal is to make this happen by end of June---might I add that all production will be made under the watchful eye of my Mom to ensure taste and quality!! Go Mom!

With the creation of the Fresh Pack line will come restaurant expansion--YEAH!!!! 8 West Pennsylvania will be able to expand the existing restaurant towards the back of the house and  create more cozy room for our diners!

Havana Road's Chef Marta goes live on WBAL's website. Marta shares cooking videos, techniques and recipes in  both English and Spanish. Go to www.wbal.com and follow the link to Hispanic Heritage----you will love!

Coming up on June 12th, you will be able to catch Marta live on WBAL at 740 am and 940am , whipping up some amazing recipes! Stay tuned for more on this topic!

That is it for now my friends! We hope to see you today at Happy Hour at Havana Road where we will be offering complimentary Sangrias from 4-7pm with our Happy Hour Menu!  

Don't forget Mom and daughter M&M will be serving lunch tomorrow-come meet my Mom!!

Buen provecho y Que siga la fiesta!! Have an amazing day:)