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