We went to Havana for a late lunch yesterday. I have always loved the decor there and I am so glad to see the restaurant coming back to life after such a long period of neglect and mismanagement. However, I thought the food was very good, but nothing exceptional. The service was excellent and our server did everything she could to make sure we were pleased with our lunch.

The thing that stood out for me was the front staff. There is a great person on the door who welcomes you, when we were there the young woman on the desk was excellent and the young manager standing with her was also very good. First impressions go a long way! I am familiar with hotel management and I was watching how they handled people.

I am very pleased that Havana is back on its feet and joining the other country club dining areas scattered throughout The Villages.

The first time was great so couldn't wait to go back. A gentleman who said he was the manager was making the rounds to check on our satisfaction. The second time, Paella was ordered and was really bad. It wasn't even Paella. A woman who introduced herself as the manager said it was "American" style Paella. Ridiculous. Wouldn't take it off the check. Why are managers so short sighted sometimes. So disappointing.

My husband's mother and grandmother used to make a dish called arroz con pollo, translated "chicken with rice." We used to refer to it as Cardboard Chicken (behind their backs, of course). Perhaps that is what Hemingway is making and calling paella.

I don't know what they think Paella is but there isn't an "American" style Paella. That basically is a euphemism for "We don't know how to make it so we will cover ourselves".

Just love the kale slaw! Very different, but very good!

I loved the kale slaw and decided to make my own tonight. I grow kale in a huge pot and the heat is going to finish it off, so I gathered what is left, chopped it up, soaked it in Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar from the olive oil place in Sumter Landing and it was really good. Bit chewy, but very good.

Sorry to correct your translation but "Arroz con Pollo" means "Rice with Chicken", (not the other way around). I don't want you to go into a Spanish restaurant and order "Arroz Frito" and expect to get Fried Chicken. :eek:

Skip

Ha ha! Right you are. Thanks for the correction.

:agree:

CFrance, Arroz con polo is a very delicious dish, I'm sorry your husbands family didn't make it tasty, but my nephews made it for me when they came here and it was out of this world.

Loved the Shrimp & Grits..........hated the Faux Paella.......dry and tasteless. Excellent service, there is hope!:bigbow:

kitchen closes
 

We were pleasantly surprised when we returned to TV to learn that Lopez bought the restaurant at Havana. We have eaten there numerous times and the food has been very good. I am not a big fan of fish, but I have to say the fish dishes at Hemingway are excellent.

We went to eat dinner with a group after golf on a Sunday and almost left and went to Mallory. The hostess was less than cordial and told us there would be an 45 plus minute wait for a table. We didn't understand that because the place was less than half full. When we asked why that would be since there were so many empty tables she rather rudely told us "because there are people ahead of you waiting." We saw no one waiting inside or out.

We then asked if we could eat outside and she gave us the same reply - and yet most of the tables outside were empty.

By that time many of us had gone ahead ordered drinks outside while we were waiting. We were trying to decide whether to just leave and go to Mallory when our pager went off and we were seated.

Our server was extremely friendly and very attentive. When we told her what had taken place with the hostess and how rude she had been she was surprised. Her response was "she didn't tell you we close the kitchen for an hour in preparation to serve dinner?" Evidently during that time people are not being seated in the dining room or the area outside where they serve food.

Needless to say, had the hostess bothered to share this information with us we would have been fine. I don't know if the hostess was new or what, but in any case, Hemingway needs to make sure they tell folks why there is a wait at that time of the day even though the restaurant is almost empty.

I'm going to be in Spain and Portugal next year and I intend to stuff myself with the real Paella. Ordered it once in Ft. Myers and it was quite dreadful and not Paella at all, so now we stay away from it.

Many years ago we were in a tiny fishing village in Spain, the dish of the evening was Paella. It was a family hotel and the Grandfather paraded around the tiny outside dining area with a huge platter of Paella - to die for!

Arroz con Pollo is a famous Spanish dish. I would hate for you to go to a Spanish restaurant an order Pollo con Arroz.

I already said I was sorry!:oops:

You say to-may-toe, I say to-mah-toe.