In the Via Vecchia, the well-known small catering street in the city of Groningen, Hemingway's Cuba. The other three businesses in the street are Moro, Cervantes and Boccaccio. All four restaurants are inspired by the Mediterranean kitchen. Hemingways, as the business is popularly called, is a bit of an exception. Not in terms of menu, but in terms of setting. Inside it breathes Cuba, with colourful pictures and a wall full of writing. The interior, which has remained unchanged for years, should take you to swinging Cuba.
Cocktail
Owner Michel Ingeneeger has been there for almost twenty years now and is still very satisfied. According to him, the success is not only in the food, but especially in the cocktails they serve, in combination with the Caribbean atmosphere. 'The cocktails, that's what we're known for. Of course we serve the classics like the Mojito, Cuba Libre or the Papa Doble, but also tiki cocktails (very sweet tropical cocktails ed.), espresso Martini, Pornstar, Negroni or a Caipirinha. Many cocktails with Havana Club rum, because hey, we are in Cuba.'
Tapas
The menu features many tapas such as the loaded potato, crispy cauliflower, dates filled with chorizo, prawns in coconut curry or meatballs in tomato sauce. If you are really looking for typical Cuban dishes, the choice is limited to Ropa Vieja Cubana, the traditional beef stew with bread and corn on the cob or the Moros y Cristianos, Cuban spiced rice with black beans and vegetables, 'but tasty', Ingeneeger adds. Furthermore, 'normal' dishes such as spareribs, pulled pork or goat cheese in puff pastry.
According to Ingeneeger, the homemade nachos are different from what you get elsewhere. 'We make the nachos ourselves. That is already a lot tastier than when you buy them ready-made. We serve them with cheese, tomato salsa, guacamole and crème fraîche. There is also a pulled pork variant, with pulled pork, BBQ sauce and pico de gallo.'
Cocktail workshops
Every week they provide multiple cocktail workshops at Hemingway's. 'They are really popular', says Ingeneeger. 'I think there is almost no one in Groningen who has not done such a workshop with us. It is really the ideal outing for bachelor parties or student parties.
If cocktails aren't really your thing, you can go there once a month for a salsa night. 'Then all the tables and chairs are moved aside, a DJ comes and you can dance until 03.00am.'
Hemingway's Cuba is open daily from 17.00pm. For more information, visit hemingwaygroningen.nl
