Cuba Absolutely website relaunches with ultimate restaurant guide

I’ve always admired Cuba Absolutely [2], an online publication that in years past was also published as a stunning, high-quality glossy magazine.

I’ve been a regular contributor to Cuba Absolutely more of less since it's inception.

Last month I sat down with the publisher in Havana [3] to bash about ideas for future stories. Meanwhile, he introduced me to a fabulous hole-in the-wall Spanish-style bar-restaurant, El Chuchallero [4], on the east side of Plaza del Cristo [5], in Habana Vieja.

Contributing editor Sofia Beckman reports on El Chucallero in the new online edition of Cuba Absolutely, which relaunched last month with a hip new look, supported by the website’s usual stunning photography.

The review is one of 150 Havana restaurants reviewed in Cuba Absolutely’s ”Where to eat in Havana—The Ultimate Guide” It’s by far the most comprehensive restaurant listing to date, written by folks on the ground in Havana, where the dining scene is evolving at a head-spinning pace following the Cuban government's recent lifting of restrictions on private restaurants (paladares).

See my blog post of December 12, 2011: New Paladares Enliven Havana's Restaurant Scene [6].

Cuba Absolutely is still my favorite online resource for in-depth reports on Cuba, including for features and up-to-the-minute profiles on cultural events (not least it’s monthly “What’s On—Havana” [7] cultural profile).

Meanwhile, check out some of my features in Cuba Absolutely:

• The Perfect Cuba Itinerary 10 Days [8]

• The Ideal Three-Week Itinerary [9]

• Cuba Classics - A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles [10]

• Cuban Cabarets: Socialism and Sensuality [11]

• Off-the-Beaten-Track Cuba [12]

• Detroit Dowagers: Running on a Wing and a Prayer [13]

• Chasing Che’s Chevy: Motorcycling Through Castro’s Cuba [14]

• Baracoa [15] I’m delighted to say that this story won the Lowell Thomas Gold Award for Best Short Travel Story.

The editors commission some fascinating features, which range from Havana’s harlistas [16] (Harley Davidson aficionados) to profiles on my friend, the acclaimed artist, José Fuster [17], a fascinating character as well as visionary artist.

Want to meet Fuster? Then join me this winter on one of National Geographic Expeditions’ 9-day Cuba: Discovering its People and Culture [18] trips.

In fact, Cuba Absolutely is almost as interesting as this blog! Jajajajaja (Don’t you love the way Cubans “laugh” in print, in lieu of LOL?)

Meanwhile, the Cuba Absolutely team is looking for new contributors.

Now that you’re excited and ready to visit Cuba, you’ll need more complete and succinct information, which is why you should buy my Moon Handbook Cuba [19]--the most information-packed, traveler-friendly guidebook on the market.

For further information on Havana, buy Moon Spotlight Havana [19].

Buy an autographed hardback copy of Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba [20] direct from the author.

Looking for the perfect coffee-table book gift item? Buy an autographed hardback copy of Cuba Classics: A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles [21] direct from the author.

Disclosure: I occasionally accept free or discounted travel when it coincides with my editorial goals. However, my opinion is never for sale. The opinions you see in Cuba & Costa Rica Journal are my unbiased reflection of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Learn more about Christopher P. Baker [21].

Copyright © Christopher P. Baker [21]