Latin Grammy-award winner Jorge Moreno is set to open a restaurant inside Miami Beach's Riviera South Beach Hotel.
Moreno's Cuba, scheduled for a grand opening sometime before the year end, is a tandem effort by Rivera South Beach owner, Nathan Lieberman and Moreno. The two men have worked together previously to develop television shows like The Catalina for the CW Channel, under the Beach Pictures umbrella.
The Cuban-style cafe recreates a Havana eatery with imported Cuban floor tiles, rustic woods, and a Cuban speakeasy bar serving mojitos and cigars.
Though the menu has not been finalized, Moreno tells Short Order the cuisine will be a fusion of the classic flavors of the 1950's Cuba of his grandparents with the urban cool of Modern Miami and Wynwood.
The emphasis is on tapas and small plates for sharing. Traditional Cuban favorites are also available to order, including sopa de frijoles negros, lechon asado, ropa vieja, and bistec palomilla.
Moreno's Cuba will have a "soft opening" starting next week, serving breakfast and lunch from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. The Cuban speakeasy bar will be open Thursday - Saturday evenings.
Here's a video tour of the property:
Riviera Hotel | SouthBeachGroup.com from southbeachgroup on Vimeo.
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