Of course, when I write/speak about Cuba its all nostalgia from times far away in another world, I am a native son who left the messy dictatorship long ago to into another one before reaching the free world, It has been a long journey indeed. I am remembering my early life and thought about Havana , and search for some pictures , hardly any left but got me one and another on a postcard for the memories still lingered of what it was. My Havana.Mi Habana! Therefore, let me update this older post for you and me and old time’s sake as the two memorable spots in my nostalgic Havana !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
When I was just a little boy back in the 60’s I remember my mother Gladys taking me on bus rides the 27, 99, etc into Havana as well as with some friends and family by an Oldsmobile or Chevrolet Bel Air’s mind you.I still have the miniature models of the Bel Air, my maternal grandfather’s cars, One of the essence of Cuba is the cooking, coming from mixtures of races European, African, and in between some Orientals. The choices were big back then, and some scratch for better today.
One of my old time favorites that I have found a picture were the El Conejito (little rabbit) and El Potin (coming from old French Gossips). They are still in my heart today thanks to my dear late mother Gladys or mima as I called her.
The El Conejito was created by 1966 in Vedado district of Havana. On Calle M and 17 . It was a sumptuous restaurant serving many dishes all with the rabbit as main course. I do not recall how many variarities of it they did but it was a full menu carte. There is not much information online just memories. The below is from a postcard no pictures sadly.
I remembered we always had to make reservations and it was packed back in the late 60’s. We would be visiting old Havana and on the way home we stopped here; just great souvenirs. Luckily for you,the restaurant is still there and I highly recommend you try it while in Havana. A family hairloom memory; I believe they are still open.
The linea, or linea avenue as it is usually referred to, is one of the avenues in the Vedado district of Havana. Because of the numbering in this section of the city, linea is nine street. In some of the Maps of the 1930s it appears due to the numbering that corresponds to it, but since the 1950 it is called Linea. It runs from the Malecon to the linea tunnel under the Almendares river, joining with the seventh Avenue of Miramar. Before there was a bridge where this tunnel is today. That bridge was for the tramways, being the Fifth Avenue bridge, today the Almendares tunnel, that for vehicules. This is where the memorable nostalgic restaurant El Potin Cafeteria Restaurant stands.
The El Potin cafeteria restaurant was even closer to home at Linea and Paseo del Prado in Vedado district as well. This is actually a French name meaning gossip, and we really enjoy the cafeteria style sandwiches that are so famous in Paris such as croque monsieur and croque madame as well as French desserts like the Paris Brest! Coffee of course was sublime from the mountains in eastern provinces of Cuba like Oriente; where many French landowner colonists from Haiti settled after the Haiti Revolution of 1805 made them leave there. And maybe this is where my French love affairs really began without noticing it !
I came here with my dear Mom Gladys even more often I recalled, and sat by the terrace looking over Linea street which is a no number street in Vedado. It is one of the modern historical streets there. Linea was for the streetcar (tramway of today ) tracks that ran along this street. It was renamed to Avenida del Presidente Wilson in 1918 and to Doble Vía General Batista in the 50s, but people kept calling it by its original name. One thing that is peculiar about this street is that it has a tunnel across the Almendares River. The picture I have is passing by car as had no will to entered, too many memories.
Again not much information online , just the memories, I again highly recommend coming here, is not what it was but the feel of Havana and Cuba is still there, and you will mingle with locals. Enjoy i
The unofficial Havana Guide : https://www.lahabana.com/guide/havana-guide-home/places-in-havana/
There you go folks, another nostalgia spots in my vault. These are or were unique places not back since 2012 and do not know if still open. Nevertheless,El Potin and El Conejito and Potin are here for the memories of always in my blog! Again, hope you enjoy this post on the two memorable spots in my nostalgic Havana !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
