We were recently on a 2 week tour of Western Cuba, specifically focusing on Afro-Cuban music and culture. Unlike most of our trips, we did not specifically plan this trip for foodie purposes. However, there was one unexpected foodie stop on our trip that blew us away: Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso. Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso is an all-organic farm in the hills of Western Cuba outside of Viñales. Everything is grown on site in beautiful terraces, and the picturesque setting alone is worth the trip. The restaurant itself is open-air in a series of wooden structures with open sides, looking over the mountainside. There, we met the charismatic owner, Rachel who runs the farm with her sister Rosalba and their father Wilfredo García Correa.
We started off with their so-called “anti-stress” drink (recipe at link and also in the book, A Taste of Cuba), their signature concoction, made with several different types sweet herbs (including mint, lemongrass, and anise), pineapple juice, cinnamon, and coconut milk. Of course, as was the case in many places in Cuba, you could add rum to the drink in any quantity you wanted (or omit it completely). In terms of our lunch, we were heartened to see a whole roast suckling pig being carried into the dining room when we entered (lechon is one of M’s favorite foods). We were eating lunch with a large group, so we all partook in a fixed menu, shared family-style.
We started with a basket of yuca / cassava crackers, and a huge assortment of plates of fresh vegetables: lettuce, tomatoes, squash, yuca, green beans, pickled cucumbers, and more. There was a paucity of fresh vegetables on the rest of trip, so this abundant assortment was particularly welcome. Then onto the mains: lobster in garlic sauce and roast chicken. Of course, the key main was the suckling pig, which was absolutely delectable. Every dish was simple, but highlighted the freshness of the ingredients. There was more food than we could consume, even as a group, and all of that was capped off with a scoop of ice cream for each person. Of course, the meal ended with a cafecito (or tea). We enjoyed our mint tea while overlooking the terraces.
After our hearty lunch, we roamed the grounds of the farm, enjoying some time to swing in a hammock and traipse up and down the terraces. We felt completely rejuvenated by experiencing the natural beauty of the surroundings, which have also been named as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The food at Finca Paraiso was wholesome, delicious and fresh, and the surroundings were even more stunning. We are not sure if we will ever be in this part of Western Cuba again, but Finca Paraiso may just draw us back.
Eating The World 