Sunday, 16 January 2011 06:34
Tradition and good coffee in El Escorial
To fully enjoy an excellent Cuban coffee, there is not better place than El Escorial, located on the corner of Havana´s Plaza Vieja. Offering close to 60 recipes, all made with 100 percent Cuban coffee from the hills of Escambray in the center of the island, this place stands out for its mesmerizing aroma and its exquisite decor, which mirrors the dark liquid. The ambiance, rich in earthy tones from floor to ceiling — the ceiling made of wood and iron — and complemented by subtle yellow lighting, is warm and elegant.
Their grains are roasted and ground daily on the premises. Customers can rejuvenate their senses just with the elaborate process of making something off of their incredible menu, which is rich in variety and blends of this stimulating beverage. They serve coffee cold, hot, with ice-cream, cinnamon, whisky creams or milk to name a few. Everything is uniquely named, like "Miss Ochún" (rum, banana liqueur and cream), "Bombón Borracho" (condensed milk and rum) and their house special, "Café Escorial" (cream, whisky cream and cinnamon), which satisfy even the most demanding whims. And they have the traditionals, such as espresso, American, with milk, cappuccino or hot chocolate, which could nicely accompany something from their international pastry and sandwich list. Everything, each of its kind, is truly delicious. Also, they offer cold cocktails, deserts, ice-cream, among other national and imported refreshers.
In their small windows, recessed in brick walls, consumers can find and buy handmade souvenirs as well as their ground coffee, "Escorial," packaged in a traditional cone, ready for brewing in-home or serving as a perfect gift for friends and family.
Cuban plastic-medium artists have contributed a good deal to the café, making it welcoming yet dynamic. Coffee pots, strainers and roast machines of incredible proportions mixed with shapes and textures enrich the space, always suggesting themes that perpetuate the life of coffee.
Open daily: from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., their service extends from inside, through its colonial doorways, into the plaza corner, where the symbolic headquarters is located, and where the sun and fresh, tropical breeze can be enjoyed. Visiting Café Escorial is a unique experience in Havana, its smells and tastes will linger on the palate of all who go.
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