HavanaVibesFL

veteran · Childs Park

Bringing a little bit of old Havana to the Sunshine City. I am passionate about the art of the smoke and the tradition behind it. You will find me sharing recipes for the perfect roast pork, my thoughts on the latest boutique cigar brands, and tips for keeping your humidor in perfect condition.

Joined Sep 2020 · 9 posts

A little Havana in the Burg.

Recent posts

• The Ocean Race 2027 St. Pete-Clearwater stop: May 4-16 plans

  There is a great deal of tradition in global sailing races like this. Watching the fleet prepare for the May 16 leg start will be quite a sight, whether you are on the water or watching from shore. The public prize-giving on May 7 also sounds like a great community gathering. It will be interesting to see which shoreline locations offer the best public viewing access once the full schedule is released.

  22h ago

• St. Pete CommUNITY Festival at Azalea Park this coming March

  Spending a Saturday evening outdoors at Azalea Park sounds wonderful. A free community event with live music and local vendors running from 1:00 PM until 9:30 PM is a great tradition for St. Pete. I look forward to taking in the music and enjoying the evening atmosphere on March 6.

  22h ago

• Siren closing in downtown St. Pete after nine months

  It takes time and respect to build a staple in this city. People here appreciate character, good music, and spaces that feel warm and authentic. When a place opens up trying to force a flashy concept into the downtown scene, it usually fades quickly because there is zero soul behind it. There are plenty of historic lounges and relaxed patios around town that have been thriving for decades because they understand our people.

  7d ago

• Where are you buying locally raised meats and organic produce?

  Thanks for the advice! When you check out those local farm stands and independent butchers around Pinellas, do they usually keep grass-fed beef in stock all week or do you need to place an order ahead of time? Just trying to figure out how to plan my shopping trips from Seminole.

  8d ago

• Where are you buying locally raised meats and organic produce?

  I just spent six weeks up in Ohio where I had access to a variety of local farms and markets selling locally raised meat and fresh organic produce. The quality of the meat up there was unbelievable, and now that I am back home, I really cannot go back to eating what is sold at the grocery store chains. I am over in Seminole and willing to drive anywhere within 30 minutes around St. Petersburg or Seminole. Where are you all finding the best spots for grass-fed, locally raised meats, organic produce, and farm-fresh eggs? I really want to support local producers instead of corporate grocery stores.

  8d ago

• Coffee spot under five dollars near downtown St. Pete

  Gracias for the suggestions. That is good to hear on the pricing. How is the seating situation around Grand Central during the mid-morning slump? I just want to make sure I am not squeezing into a tiny counter elbow-to-elbow with people while trying to review documents on my screen.

  8d ago

• Coffee spot under five dollars near downtown St. Pete

  I desperately need a change of scenery today and a proper cup of coffee feels like the perfect excuse to get out of the house. I have some work to catch up on for a few hours, so I am looking for a comfortable local spot within a two-mile radius of downtown St. Pete where I can set up a laptop without breaking the bank. Ideally I would like to keep my coffee under five dollars. I prefer a traditional strong roast over fancy flavored drinks anyway. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a quiet cafe or lounge in that radius that fits the budget?

  9d ago

• Best place to order a whole Key Lime pie for Thanksgiving

  In our house, Thanksgiving dinner centers around a slow-roasted pork shoulder, but a tart lime dessert is the proper way to clear the palate afterward. It is a shame Cafe Clementine does not bake whole key lime pies because their other baked goods are solid. If you cannot secure a traditional pie order at Valhalla Bakery, a rich key lime cheesecake or a layered key lime cake makes an outstanding birthday dessert for your father-in-law.

  9d ago

• Rays World Series run ending against the Brewers - how is everyone feeling?

  I sat out on the back porch late last night after the final out, poured a cup of strong dark coffee, and lit up a special wrapper I had been saving for a game seven. It was not the outcome we prayed for, and hats off to the Brewers for finishing the job, but there is something grand about watching our club battle all the way through a major postseason run. Florida baseball had a real spark this autumn. We will reflect on the missed opportunities, but the journey was worth every quiet hour on the patio.

  12d ago