Hey guys!
Mmmmm feels so good to be blogging from my bed with the sunlight coming through the blinds. Yesterday was SO rainy and icky here but today seems really nice so far and I’m planning on going for a run down the Bay later and soaking it all in. But, back to yesterday. I took a little nap, drank some strong black tea and was off! I met a friend for dinner at my favorite place ever and we, naturally, got a pitcher of mojitos:
I proceeded to gnaw on the sugar cane because that’s what I do. Gosh, mojitos are so good. So, so, so good after drinking nothing but red wine for months.
I always order the same thing at The Columbia because I love it so! A cup of cuban black bean soup:
(that I promptly doused with hot sauce, obvi)
And a 1905 salad!!!
And then, I went a little crazy because my life has been lacking Cuban food for months so I ordered sides of plantains and yuca also:
Why oh why are plantains and yuca the best things ever???! I ate about three of the plantains and brought the rest home and ate about one huge hunk of the yuca….yuca, I swear, expands in your stomach like nothing else. I’m hoping I can find the frozen stuff back in California because I seriously love this stuff!
Mmmmm it was such a wonderful meal and I went home a very happy camper. Got a great night’s sleep and had some oatmeal with almond milk and almond butter for breakfast:
And I’m about to go meet Sarah and Jessica at Starbucks! Plans for the day include hanging out with my girlfriends then coming home and packing all day (my parents are moving to SAVANNAH next month!) and going on a run later. I have soooo much stuff to go through here and pack up, it’s insane. I’m thrilled my parents are moving back to the Lowcountry though (before we lived in Florida, we lived in Hilton Island) because it holds a special spot in my heart.
Alright—onward!
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fabulous array of Cuban eats! Plantains are easily one of my favorite foods, however, I rarely seize or find opportunities to eat them. I’m going to have to remedy that.
Have fun time traveling with packing. I love the wave of nostalgia that washes over me when sorting through old relics of life long ago.
Savannah sounds like a special place, kudos to your parents!
That mojito looks lovely! Enjoy your time at home!
Good luck with the packing.
CUBAN LOOKS FANTASTIC!!! I cant believe I’ve never tried Cuban food before, I’m definitely going to have to give it a try.
I don’t think I’ve ever even tried Cuban; I definitely need to expand my palate culturally. I’m just getting hooked on Indian!
Oh I’ve always wanted to go to Savannah!!
i love and miss the CR. I love the one in Ybor, but grew to love the one in St. Aug. 1905 salad rocks!
I live in FL and LOVE Columbia! Sometime you should try their Sangria de Cava. It’s a fruity sangria made with champagne — it’s SO GOOD. And funny thing is, I always order a cup of black bean soup and the 1905 salad (without ham)! It’s just too good to order anything else!
Oh, that looks sinful. I am already calculating in my head how many miles I would have to run… Oh, forget the miles. I want that stuff NOW. Where can I find such food in SF Bay Area?
The Cuban food looks amazing! Hope you have a great day!
CJ
I’ve always loved Savanah! Glad you’re having a great time at home!
Never had cuban food but the plaintains look delicious! Have a good run….
I haven’t tried yucca or plantains- they look so good!
Enjoy your run
Sounds like a fabulous day!!
As for the almond milk, do you use unsweetened or sweetened?
And that’s so cool about your parents moving to Savannah! I LOVE LOVE Savannah. I live in SC and Savannah kind of reminds me of Charleston. But one day, I am seriously going to live there. It’s amazing.
Savannah is one of my favorite cities!!! How fun that your parents are moving there!
That cuban food looks UH-mazing
Dinner looks awesome, Jenna! I can totally relate to your Pita Pit cravings also! I went to school in upstate NY and we would go regularly. I miss them here in Boston!
Have a great day Jenna!
Your Cuban food looks delicioso! I’m part Cuban and I’m sad to say that I’ve never had Cuban food.
I really need to broaden my food horizons. 
Jenn
I love Cuban food too! Yuca and plantains are the best comfort food. Unfortunately, I have to avoid the black beans in most restaurants since they add lard to them.
Mojitos are my favey drink!!! Love the bubbly.
I think yuca and plantains are so amazing because they are STARCHY
Note to self: eat some Cuban food soon.
Cuban food is SO. GOOD. There’s really nothing like it. Mojitos + plantains…does it really get any better?
I love The Columbia! I got there every time I visit my mom
I’m so glad you got the Lululemon hoodie! The blue looks great! I’ve been eyeing the purple one. Enjoy your day – it’s always fun to go for a run in your old neighborhood.
I love Yuca too! I recently went to an awesome Cuban place in Key West and the Yuca was amazing. Enjoy your leftovers!
I love Yuca too! I recently went to an awesome Cuban place in Key West and the Yuca was amazing. Enjoy your leftovers!
Hmm, cuban food and mojitos, how delicious!! Wow that is big news your parents are moving to Savannah. How exciting! I guess you won’t be going back to Tampa anytime soon. Enjoy your stay and hope you can get your heart’s desire of Pita Pit during your visit as well.
Wahoooo for the lowcountry!! Savannah is only 2 hrs from Charleston – perfect road trip!!
One of my best friends is cuban and I miss her cuban feasts. I can’t wait to hopefully visit her this summer and make her cook for me.
Yum! Cuban food is SO delicious — a great mix of flavors and spices.
OMG, i heart the Columbia mucho!!!!!! The huge chunk of complimentary bread is soo good. Every time I go visit Florida with my rents, we always have to go there. I’m so jealous right now!
Hey Jenna!
What part of town are they moving to? Hiltno Head is a great city, but you can’t beat Savannah’s charm….you will love visiting them!
I don’t think I’ve ever commented before but read all the time! I’m so excited to hear your parents are moving to Savannah! I grew up there from 5 yrs old to graduation…oh I miss it. Let me know if you have any questions or anything
Macrae
I don’t think I’ve ever had a real Cuban meal, but I could never turn down anything that involves a mojito. Your meal looks great! What exactly is yuca? I’ve heard of it but never seen or tried one.
Enjoy your meet up!
Must be an emotional weekend of packing and saying goodbye to that home with all the family memories.
Wishing you happy new memories when you get to visit your new ” home home” of Savannah….and the fun that comes along with finding new haunts there.
Guess your Florida pals better start planning some Cali trips
All the best and enjoy the flight home…sometimes long flights are great for sitting back and just thinking.Life doesn’t often afford us that contemplative time.
That salad looks ridiculous–in a good way of course!
Hey Jenna I didn’t know you used to live in Hilton Head! My cousin did too for years.. have you ever been to Reilly’s?
Hey Jenna I didn’t know you used to live in Hilton Head! My cousin did too for years.. have you ever been to Reilly’s?
I’ve never had cuban food. I would love to try Yuca! It’s rainy and icky here in Cali too, you’re not missing anything.
Mmmm! I love hitting up “my” restaurants when I visit home! Plantains make me drool!
Look delicious!
xoxo
Maggie
All of that looks so delicious! What exactly is yuca though? I love black bean soup! Nothing better!!
All of that looks great! What exactly is yuca?
Oh yum. I’ve never had Cuban food before but it looks amazing!
Cuban?!
Never had it. Looks good though!
How do you feel about being home Jenna? Does it make you feel sad to go back? Or are you cool with it ??
eatmovelove,
Well I never really considered Tampa my home because I only lived here for a very short time…my hometown is on the east coast of Florida. I really don’t care for Tampa all that much so I don’t have too much attachment to it.
Plantains are so delicious- they would be yummy in oatmeal!
I am dying to try plantains. They look amazing!
Oooh all that food looks amazing
Glad to hear that you are having fun!!!!
i love cuban food…that soup sounds amazing
hope you have a wonderful sunny day today!
What an incredible Cuban dinner! And I will say the best mojito I ever tasted was in Florida
That’s exciting about your parents’ move! Good luck packing!
That mojito looks amazing. And plantains…yum!!
Have fun with the packing. It seems like everyone in the blogosphere is doing that this weekend!
Cuban food looks amazing, I’ve never eaten it tho. Might have to try some after seeing those.
Have fun
Looks good but if you really like cuban food you need to come to Miami … there is so much more to explore
Hi Jenna, I absolutely love Yuca too and would just eat bowls and bowls of it. In my culture, we top cooked yuca with shaved coconut meat and sprinkle on a mixture of salt, sugar, and sesame seed. I don’t exactly know when Yuca season is but whenever it is, the Asian supermarkets do stock them. You should check out an Asian supermarket if there is one near you because you could get the Yuca fresh instead of frozen!
I could lick the screen for your dinner….
I could live on yuca (and have the Puerto Rican backside to prove that sometimes I do!) My mom makes the best Cuban food from recipes given by Cuban friends’ grandmothers, husbands, etc, and I always wheedle her into Cubanfoodfest when I go home to visit. Though I can make it, it’s not the same as hers.
Oh, Savannah is beautiful! I’m actually going their for a Conference in early March and I recently bought a new camera to take along (I love the historic homes).
Cuban…hmmmm…I had some of the best Cuban food in NYC recently. I got this delish shell-fish hot-pot. I didn’t think to order the plantains! Darn-it…I guess I’ll have to go back.
I wish your parents health and safety during their move, its a stressful time.
SO happy for you to be back with your beautiful family (and mom who I am secretly obsessed with), sippin’ on mojitos and eatin’ da good food. Remember that time you went to this restaurant and got a HUGEA$$ PLATE OF CHICKPEAS?!?!?! ….because I do…
XXOXOXOXOO
Everything at that Cuban restaurant looks great! Especially the mojitos and the plantains. I really have to see if we have a Cuban place in town somewhere – now you have me wanting some of that goodness!
K
Ahhh! Mojitos…probbb my favorite mixed drink in existance!!
Jenna – they sell fresh Yuca all over the Mission in San Fran. It’s very easy to find in Cali so you are in luck!
Jenna!!! YOU KNOW I LIKE THE CUBAN FOOD BLOG!!!!