Ivonne and Rolando Verdecia were getting tired of driving to West Los Angeles and Hollywood for their fine dining fix. So, after decades of combined experience in the food service industry, they ventured out on their own, opening Mojito Caribbean Cuisine on September 29, 2004.
Fusing the classic home cooking of Rolando’s Cuban heritage with explosively flavorful ingredients from the Caribbean, Mojito quickly became a culinary hotspot in the Santa Clarita and beyond, even attracting a visit from KABC-TV’s Elmer Dills.
“It’s not just the food that keeps them coming back to Mojito,” states owners Ivonne and Rolando Verdecia. “Our restaurant itself is stunning, an architectural journey back to the glamour days of Havana. Customers enter through ornate wood and iron doors leading to the hand-carved mahogany bar where our signature drink, Mojito, is crafted a potent concoction of rum, sugar syrup, crushed lime and mint leaves.
Illuminated glass walls, custom tile work, and colorful murals depicting a bygone era of decasdence add to the ambience, while high-backed booths complete with heavy velvet privacy curtains.
“Our menu is extraordinary, and it continues to evolve. We’ve added more traditional flavors to the plates, using recipes from Rolando’s mother, who’s an amazing cook. It’s just been extremely fine tuned,” states Ivonne.
Also added is their lunch service, including reasonably priced salads, such as the gorgeous grilled chicken mango salad for only $7.95, and hearty sandwiches with Cuban bread starting at $7.95.
At night, the menu really shines. The kitchen consistently turns out world-class Paella, a Spanish-style, saffron-hued rice dish laden with clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, whitefish, chicken, and chorizo, topped with half a lobster as well as the delectable entrée, the Cordero: grilled lamb chops. “As owners,” states Ivonne and Rolando, “we have to say our food is exceptionally delicious. People have noticed that since we have been voted for the second time as Best Dining Restaurant. Thank you, Santa Clarita!”
For more infomation, please call 661-254-2018 or visit mojitocuisine.com .