Giant wooden doors frame the entrance and immediately take you away to another time as you enter “Little Havana.” Rolando and Ivonne Verdecia worked especially hard when creating their home away from home back in 2004 when they opened Mojito Caribbean Cuisine. And that’s just what it is, a home away from home. Rolando is compelling about his passion for food and it only heightens your enthusiasm for a great meal. That passion is equally matched by a commitment for good customer service. One thing Rolando especially prides himself and his staff for is their exceptional customer service. Customers are not just customers – they are friends – friends that come over for dinner three and four times a week. Another thing the Verdecia’s take pride in is the ability to serve fine dining quality food at a price everyone can afford.
My meal began with a traditional Mojito ($7) – a customer favorite! Appetizers followed and boy did my eyes, and my stomach, immediately grow. I started with the Scallop and Shrimp Ceviche ($10) which was piled high with shrimp, scallops, avocado, tomatoes and onions combined with a spicy roasted tomato sauce and served with fried plantains. My bite was perfection. The flavors blended beautifully and the spice came in slowly for a nice heated finish. I was also treated to Empanada de Picadillo as well as Empanada de Pollo ($9). At first I was a little thrown off to see pineapple with meat, but I trusted Rolando would not steer me wrong and I was surely right. The empanadas were filled with either chicken or Cuban style ground beef and accompanied with a tomato salad over a warm pineapple reduction. And here’s a little insiders secret, the spice is in the pineapple. I mean hands down you have to have a bite with the pineapple, but if you want a less spicy bite eat only half of the pineapple.
My entrees began with Pollo Fricasse ($9.95), which has marinated chicken pieces in garlic cloves, citrus juice and onions in a tomato sauce with raisins, olives, potatoes and peas, served over Cuban white rice. It was then followed by Carne con Papas ($11.95). Both dishes share the same base of garlic, onion and cilantro but are altered to highlight each protein specifically. Both just scream flavor and the combinations explode in your mouth with each bite.
As we moved on to the Surf ‘n Turf I was delighted with Filete con Camarones ($24). Yes, I wrote $24 – Can you believe a Surf ‘n Turf for less than $30? My entrée included two 32-ounce Filet Mignon steaks and a trio of large shrimp in a garlic butter paprika sauce served with garlic mash potatoes. I really don’t like to play favorites, but the butter garlic paprika sauce used in this dish was just divine! It perfectly complimented the filet and the shrimp. With every bite I had to remind myself I still had one more dish to try. Hands down, I couldn’t put my hands down from this one.
My final meal was the Halibut con Coco. This dish was my favorite! No question the presentation of the food and the exquisite taste just sent me over the top! I could eat this dish ever day and never tire of it. The entrée featured a pan seared Halibut filet with a coconut cream sauce over a Bonito mash topped with sautéed zucchine, yellow squash and carrots. The Halibut melted in my mouth just as a perfectly cooked piece of fish should. It was perfectly complimented by the delicate coconut cream sauce and the Bonito mash. An all around sweet dish but not “Dessert” sweet – Genuinely a perfect blend of flavors and ingredients! This was the exact finish needed to solidify the perfect meal.
Last but not least, think of Mojito for your next catering event. In speaking to Rolando I was so pleased to find out you can have a party of 30 people catered for around $10 a person. And this is no standard catering menu. Rolando takes the time to speak with his customers – find out what type of event is taking place, and then build a custom menu tailored to serving time, presentation and client satisfaction. Overall a truly unique catering experience.
For more information, please call 661-254-2018 and visit Mojito online to make reservations at www.mojitocuisine.com .