They searched five
days for the Yellow House
“The place for a
Great Meal to feed your spouse’
That’s what the
Captain Said
And To miss it Chucky
did dread
That The Cuban Lady
surely would grouse.
Yeah… Kipling he aint, {or Brutha Earl either}, but he’s
tryin’… Lord knows… he’s Tryin’!
We last saw our weary travelers dodging Surf spray along
the Malecón on the way back to re-group at 55 Linea and once again mount the
lively discussion of “Where-zit at” for dinner.
Not to worry.
Chucky’s Irish Golf mate and Luxury Yacht Captain Dennis
Horner, who steered them to La Casa de
Maria La China, also encouraged him to have dinner at least one night at
the “Yellow House down on the Malecón” the name of which he didn’t recall. Well, easy enough for him to say…there were a lot of Yellow houses along the Malecón, and without the actual name or in
which direction, Chucky had taken to stopping at each one during his trips back
and forth to Prima’s house on Trocadero or wherever, to Ask…”is this La Casa
Amarilla with the Great Dinners?” Only
to get a lot of strange stares and shrugs, until… one day he and the Cuban Lady
finally stopped at the last remaining “Casa Amarilla” close to Paseo Prado and found...
“Sociedad Asturiana Castropol”
A Charming Asturian Spanish restaurant, destined to be the scene of the most memorable and elegant
dinner of this foray onto the "Isle Where Time Stopped".
After everyone freshened up, we took to the cars and head
back up the Malecón and slide into a couple of spots in front of “Casa Amarilla…
only to be approached by a Car Park caballero advising us that we could be
towed… those spots were for Diplomats and Government officials. We would need to pull into the side street
that had been fenced off to create a secure area for those dining at Castropol.
After maneuvering into the tight, dimly lit lot, we took
turns helping Tia navigate the rocky way, up a few steps and entered the
spacious but very full dining room.
Not having reservations, we were asked to wait until they could arrange something on the second floor.
After settling in, we’re approached by the manager who
introduced the captain and waiters for the evening and made sure we were happy with
the arrangement. Chucky is REALLY liking this place already. 
A proper wine list is presented and a couple bottles of a delightful
Marques des Caceres Crianza 2008 were ordered.
The lovely Temprnillo from the Rioja region of Spain was
perfect for the dishes being ordered. Several
had a most exceptional Ropa Viaja, Tia ordered a fragrant and tasty Sea Bass prepared en
papillote [in this case not parchment but foil], a Tangy Zarzuela de mariscos
con Langosta for Chucky [No wall paper paste here!], a hearty Cordero [Lamb] and green pepper stew, and a wonderful Pechuga
de Pollo Milanesa for a few of the others. The accompanying salads were
rich in assorted fresh crisp vegetables and in all, an excellent meal. –
{And not
a Cuban Sandwich or dry slab of pork to be seen}
At Last… A decent meal in La Habana!
Needless to say, Castopol was a HIT! Everyone was having a grand ole time with a
lively discussion of the day’s events, the sights and sounds of La Habana Vieja
- particularly Tia’s Santera reading, Chucky and Prima’s dance in the square,
and of course… Jake and the Chubby Bronze Nymph with a fork on the Rooster.
Café’s & Cappuccino's were ordered along with a snifter of
Fine Spanish Brandy for Chucky and all was Good in our world.
Overall Chucky Rating:
Food and Service 5+ Stars
Wine: Excellent!
After pics and looks around, including the large salt water aquarium
near the Kitchen, it was time to navigate the stairs down…”One… Two…" OK, Ok you
get it.
Once back in the cars it was a short drive home, where all
but Chucky headed straight to Zzzzzz land.
The Wacky American Tourist just had to settle in to make notes and draft
this NOWAT episode.
Tomorrow… Tours of El Morro, La Casa del Che, Cristo de La Habana more tchotchke runs, and Tia’s Carriage ride
around La Habana Vieja…
One… More… Time!
HASTA LUEGO,
Uncle Chuck & The Quite
Happy we finally found Castropol
Cuban Lady
Enjoyin’ a lovely Spanish Brandy on the Terrace of Castrapol
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