A Cuban movie review by Mama Mojito!

Have you seen the movie, “Chef”?

Jon Favreau, stars as a chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family. Wow, can I relate…..in some ways.

I mostly relate to Sophia Vergara- Yeah Right!

Gary and I went to see “Chef” at the recommendation of my hair stylist, Anita (she gives me all the latest updates on flicks, while trying to make me beautiful, a harrowing job!). On one visit, she told me to go and see, “Chef” because we were opening a Cuban restaurant. She was rather funny, saying it was all about a guy who was a chef who made great CUBAN food, but got badgered by his boss to stick to the same old, same old menu and recipes thus stifling his creative juices. And to add to the layers of drama, he was also going through a divorce with the love of his life, and Cuban wife played by Sofia Vegara (well now we had to go).

First movie we went to in 20 some years (Big Daddy - Gary, yes the Cuban of the family) doesn’t like to go to movies…rather would sit at home and see them on Netflix. He says, “we get the best seat in the house”. UHG. In all honesty, the most interesting man on the world (in his mind) – is basically just plain cheap.

Cheap like Dustin Hoffman's character in the film, but not as boring.

Well – as the movie began the background music blasted through the theater and all of a sudden I felt like I was back in Miami or Hialeah in Florida – all the old classical Cubanaso music began to roar.

You must hear this soundtrack!

 The scenes were cool but actually the story is based on California.

I won’t ruin the story for anyone but the funny thing about this movie is that I/we could relate to the troubles the Chef was going through after he got fired from his job, bought his new found empire “food truck” - which was basically a piece of crap.

There were so many similarities with the old place, a/k/a, the old 90 Main…. It was disgusting – every inch of the truck had to be taken apart, cleaned, powerwashed, or trashed -just like our building!

The chef went through this labor of love with his son (estranged) and this was another connection too – Yes you all know Dean by now (our son and manager at Mojito).

 Although they have never been estranged at all (as a matter of fact Dean has always idolized his dad, though now the roles are reversing) - but during the transformation of 90 Main, there were times that I thought big Daddy and Dean were going to duke it out. All a result of too many gallons of petrified grease they had to strip out of this place . Thank God for the end of the day beers they shared when they were able to relax, reflect and chill at either John & Peters, The Logan, or Havanas (thanks you guys!).

::SPOILER ALERT::

At the end of the movie they are all very successful and the Dad and son are lifelong business buddies. The Chef gets bought out by a mega broker who just loves his food (the original critique that hated his old bosses mandated creations). Any food connoisseurs out there who want the Cuban American dream and make us rich? :)

Then the icing on the cake, of course the Chef and Sofia reunite and live happily ever after. Ha, how surreal! Big Daddy and I just celebrated 32 years of marital bliss. Well, in all honesty, marital bliss would be non-existent if not for a bit of turbulence, jubilation, rice and beans topped with some caliente hot sauce of course.

Come to Mojito and say hi and then see a movie!!!! Love to all

Love, Mama Mojito

Guest Post from MamaMojito

OMG – Its September 30…no Its October 2^nd – What happened?!

Can’t believe a month has flown by since we opened the doors. We have been scooped up in a whirlwind of running around, cooking the yummy food, fixing minor crises, smiling, and doing everything possible to make Mojito come alive in the New Hope community.

 Boy has it been fun!

Let me start by first saying this:  New Hope people are really really unique in so many ways but all share one common factor – they all have huge hearts! People have stopped by and brought gifts, given suggestions, told us some of the ins and outs of doing business in New Hope (Politically , emotionally, locally: who knew there were so many elements of being a New Hopian.) 

We found out that doggies have a place in the hearts of so many and do we are now canine friendly!

We have had the opportunity to host Father Robert from Lambertville, St John the Evangelist Church, to stroll by our place, stop in and give a good Blessing to the restaurant and all that visit and dine here. The accolades go on and on and we are so humbled, thankful and blessed.

We have also found out about the closeness of the community and the many aspects of being a…”Local”. Before we opened, we heard so much about this elite mysterious group. Now that we're up and running, I’m dying to meet every one of them. To get the locals to cherish your place – you are bound to survive, to win to thrive. So – my new mission is to track down each and every one of local neighbors and introduce them to Mojito and our family.

I want to hear how you became planted here and what brought you to this area. Maybe your roots go back generations: some stemming from our forefathers. (Maybe some of hung out with George (Washington!- hey it could be true!). I want to hear your stories. It would be great to learn the local history that goes beyond the tour books-  the individual and family stories that make a place home. So come by and we can swap war stories, (ours mostly involve beans and zoning boards), this is how friendships begin and last.

  I look forward to having many friends in New Hope. Sitting on the patio, sipping some libations or enjoying a twilight café Cuban, smoking cohibas and  talking about Batista and Benjamin Perry – ahhhh, yes many good times ahead.

Oh – got to go, need to stir the beans.

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you soon!

~Mama Mojito

Fun stuff in the kitchen

OK. Confession time again. I love my crazy Cuban family, but sometimes they can be frustrating. We are all so close and yet so stubborn opinionated. My family truly is a very happy one; unless we have different opinions in the kitchen. And goodness have we had differnt opinions the last few weeks. I feel like my life has turned into one big food fight.

Let me start at the beginning. And let me start with the good things: My Aunt is visiting!

My Dad is one of 6. 3 girls and 3 boys, but they all have
their own personalities. Aunt Livia is the ying to my Dads yang.

My Aunt is really cool. I know you get tired of hearing me say it: New Hope is cool. My Mom is cool. But trust me, my Aunt is really cool! She has years of restaurant experience and is an incredible chef. She will be here the next few weeks as we open Mojito. Heaven knows we need her!

She's also stunning in trash bag apron chic. 

And my Aunt has brought nifty stuff that a real Cuban restaurant needs!

These are not torture devices! They are tools!

Plantains are a staple in Cuban cooking.

These are starch banana type fruits that pretty much go with anything.

This large mandolin is used for thinly slicing the starchy banana like fruit in order to create crunchy plantain chips. Crunchy plantain chips are great in Cuban Guacamole!

Cuban guacamole is similar to the mexican kind, but you add lots of garlic, some citrus tang, and carribbean spices. It is SO GOOD!

Bentley really wants some Guac.

Please?

But plantains arent just yummy as chips, they go with everything! Smashed plantains are called maduros. This device smashed the plantain into a little cup so it can be topped with more fun stuff like picodillo.

These babies make great little serving boats for picadillo (seasoned ground beef with raisens- sounds weird but trust me its delish), fresh pico de gallo, and cuban guacamole.

So we are deep in the realm of recipe perfecting. 

We've also been experimenting. Mom thought plantains wrapped in bacon sounded yummy. Who doesnt like stuff wrapped in bacon?!

We can't blame the gringa for trying!

 They got my vote- but unfrtnately didnt make the final cut. (Sorry Mom)

One dish that definitey made the cut was Ropa vieja. 

This traditional stew like dish is full of peppers and beef and delicious Cuban flavors. And when my Aunt makes it, it is IN-CRED-I-BLE! Seriously, you have to try it. It is so good.

Dad is a big supporter of these fried chicken legs he calls “Tripple Dippers”. He calls them that because he has a trip of yummy sauces he wants to showcase with these guys.

 They are very tasty but its so hard to decide how to have a balanced menu with the very best offerings! And, while we are testing everything out- I think I've gained 10 lbs!

But speaking of sauces, have you ever had real chimmichurri? I dont mean the stuff that comes in a bottle- I mean real. Fresh. Chmichurri. Like this:

Its amazing.In a food processor, you combine fresh parsley, vinegar, garlic, oregano and red pepper and some other secret spices.

 Process that until smooth season to taste with salt and pepper.

Then you whisk it in olive oil and let it sit. You have to let it sit in the refrigerator because for some reason the cold soak results in this neon green harmony of zesty flavours.

It doesnt work if its not kept cold, and you have to let it sit for like a day so it can mature.

Its green! And beautiful.and delicious!.

Delicious for dipping plaintain fries. Delicious for soaking up with fluffy cuban bread. Delicious over marinated steak.

Lordy Lordy.

Steak Chimichurri. What is better than juicy steak, flamed up on the grill, and then topped with the yummiest freshest green sauce chimichurri?

NOTHING. Nothing is better.

Unless its cake.

Hey! Have you ever tried Cuban Cake?

 Its like a butter pound cke with guava fruit and cream cheese flavor. I don't want to talk about it because its like a religious experience. You haveto taste the

Warm

Butter

Crusty

Decadent

Cake yourself. I just cant do it justice. And I realy really love cake.

My family has been collecting recipes for years.

                    

Some are old favorites, and the creases in the note paper show their age even before I realize that the Spanish text uses antiquated phrases. Some recipes are new,and by new I mean- since the invention of the food processor. It always makes me laugh to see these ancient printed or handwritten recipe cards sitting next to our ipads and smartphones. We need both the old and the new to start a business.

No matter what the final menu reads- I've enjoyed this time of heated debate. I've gotten to eat some incredible food, experiement with new ideas, and learn more about my family. Mostly I've learned that we are all crazier than even I believed- but thats cool. We can always talk out our opinions and reach the best solution together.

Especially if we have some excellent food and wine to ease the process.

And cake.

Lots of lovefrom our home to yours!

-Team Mojito

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Photography 101

Looking through this blog, I'd say its obvious that I'm no photographer. I am so envious of bloggers who can take gorgeous shots that really make you feel like you're right there experiencing the picture. I just point and shoot. But I'm working on it. To that end, here are some tips I've learned so far:

1. Make bad photos black and white to make them look artsy and poignant. 

Cant you just feel the struggle of the working man?

2. Have fun with mirrors. (Especially if no one is looking)

Aside from Dad looking silly, the paint colors came out really well!

Mom is very excited about her color choices.

3. Play with perspective

This angle makes it look like he's going to topple over!

Or it could have been the fact that I was supposed to be holding the ladder steady.

4. Try to capture the lines and colors that make ordinary things interesting

With the new wall colors, the turquoise booths look really great.
I take back everything I ever said about hating turquoise.

These are beer taps. This photo would be way cooler if amber streams
of ale were pouring out of each- all "Be our guest" style.

 5.  Or skip that step and take photos of interesting subjects

Like how nice the walls look with the new paint!

Or wine glasses. I'm always interested in more wine. 

6. Frame your subject

Who on earth is that happy washing windows?

7.  Capture candid expressions

"I  want to feel like I'm right there inhaling paint fumes with you!"

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand you capture the moment when someone
realizes they got paint on their pants.

8. Follow the rule of thirds 

I feel so fancy when I talk about the rule of thirds. It basically just means that if you divide your picture into a grid of 9 equal boxes, the focus should be on the intersections because our brains like threes or something. But I promise you, talk about the rule of thirds and you'll feel like Annie Liebovitz.

Nailed it.

Does this count as toes in the sand? No?

9. Get out the way

I get this one all the time. Apparently, when people are sanding, painting, and moving heavy things, they don't like a camera fiend getting underfoot to capture the action. German Mike has resorted to yelling "The paparazzi is here!" every time I walk in. (At least I think that is what he is saying. He could be saying "I want pepperoni pizza and a beer!" or maybe  "I bring macaroni and fear"- who knows.) But its cool. I'm principled. I stick to my journalistic integrity and bring the real story to the people- even if I risk getting trampled. 

"Oh, did you need me to move?"

We also brought in extra muscles from New York this weekend.

10. When all else fails, take a selfie. 

Who doesn't love a selfie?

You can choose the most flattering angles!

We'll have other updates this week- things are really coming together! While there is still a lot to do, I have some cool things to share. Stay tuned!

Love Love Love Team Mojito!