Little Havana is home to a new dinner cabaret — straight from Colombia. Introducing to you Calle Dragones, with its red velvet curtains and dangling crystal chandeliers, serving up Asian-influenced Cuban cuisine, as well as world-class performances.
Named after the “Chinatown” of Havana, the luxe 166-seater is set to take you to La Habana Vieja without leaving the city, from the nightly entertainment to the enticing dishes.
The opening, brought by the creators of Salvaje Hospitality Group and in partnership with acclaimed Cuban-born Chef Luis Pous, marks the first U.S. location for the restaurant, which already has famous locations in Bogotá and Cartagena, Colombia.
“After much success in Bogotá and Cartagena, we are excited to open our third Calle Dragones in the heart of Miami’s most culturally rich and Cuban-influenced street of Calle Ocho in Little Havana,” said Pous. “Calle Dragones arouses curiosity through our carefully crafted menu as well as traditions celebrated through our performances. It is a dining experience that guests will never forget.”
As for food, you can expect an extensive menu by Chef Pous, who reimagined what Cuban-Asian cuisine would have become today if Cuba had been allowed to evolve and fulfill its culinary potential. Signature dishes include mojo roasted lechón Pekin with Chinese pancakes, crab fricasé with Thai sofrito, crispy wontons and risotto congri with short rib vaca frita.
Pous has spent over 30 years serving at some of the world’s most renowned hotels and restaurants, including Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys, George V Hotel in Paris, Dior House and Asia de Cuba in London, New York and the United Arab Emirates.
For dessert at Calle Dragones, there’s the piña colada pavlova, Cuban rum hot cheesecake with guava ice cream and chocolate Szechuan with cookie crumble.
The drinks menu has been curated to complement the flavors of the menu, by Borja Goikoetxea, so think cocktails like the Guajiro (mezcal, mandarin Armagnac, lemon and tamarind syrup), Rostro de Cuba (gin, amaretto Disaronno, lemon, syrup, basil and coconut yogurt) and Romeo y Julieta (turbocharged vodka with parsley, pepper and lemongrass, plus lemon, ginger syrup, ginger beer and pickled cucumber).
As a cabaret, Calle Dragones will have Spanish Fiesta on Thursdays, Havana Tropical Nights Fridays, Salsa Disco Fever on Saturdays and World Carnaval Day on Sundays, creating the ultimate lively atmosphere. The shows are curated by musical director Dayhan Díaz, whose productions have been nominated seven times for the Grammys and has worked with musicians such as Rey Ruiz, Andrés Cepeda and Amaury Gutiérrez.
Designed by Spanish Architect and Interior Designer Ignacio García de Vinuesa, the nearly 5,000-square-foot venue follows a Rococo design, with special elements including custom-made 1950s velvet furniture, a vintage white grand piano and terrazzo flooring.
Calle Dragones is located at 1036 SW 8th Street, Miami FL 33130. The restaurant serves dinner Monday through Sunday beginning at 6 p.m; Sunday brunch is available from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m, and Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit their website here.