Rumor had it that food in Cuba, unlike the people, lacks spice.

I am here to dispel the rumors.

Take a culinary tour of Havana with me.

Beyonce is touting the vegan lifestyle, I am hyping the lobster regimen.

Let it be known, Cuban restaurants are actually quite good and lobster is a staple in most Cuban establishments.

Let’s commence the tour with my birthday celebration at La Guarida, considered to be the top restaurant in Havana.

From the surprise amuse-bouche of lobster and mango cerviche to the lobster main course the food and the imaginative and original decor, the evening rocked.

David’s red snapper was flaky and delicious, the presentation original.

The crudos fabulous.

The side of potatoes and onions fresh and flavorful.

Our best meal was at San Cristobal, where the chef and owner, Carlos Cristobal Marquez, purportedly was the son of the maid who tended to Fidel Castro.

A typical colonial-style house dating from 1914, San Cristobal has 
three connected, but independent dining rooms that all open onto 
an interior patio garden.

Chef and owner Carlos Marquez worked the eclectically decorated rooms and was warm and hospitable.

Our waiter was charming and endearing.

The meal consisted of a fresh salad of sweet tomatoes, perfectly ripened avocado and cucumber.

The gazpacho was memorable…probably the best I have ever tasted. It was served with fresh cucumber, tomatoes and onions.

The lobster at San Cristobal won top prize. I do not have inside information about whether Beyonce ate the lobster, but she did dine at San Cristobal and purportedly enjoyed herself immensely.

David’s red snapper was fresh and prepared perfectly.

The flan was like no other…rich, dense, not too sweet.

The meal concluded with cigars and a gift of a lovely brooch.

EL Cocinero was the only contemporary restaurant that we visited. It is a converted old red brick factory that once produced cooking oil. You ascend a spiral staircase in the chimney to a beautiful second floor restaurant.

El Cocinero is where the Havana in crowd hangs. It was interesting to dine in modern surroundings. We climbed another steep spiral staircase to the very top of the factory and took in a beautiful view of Havana.

The tuna tartare and feta salad were both very good.

Lunch at 304 O’Reilly was fun and delicious. We dined on the top floor surrounded by interesting artwork and had a great view of  Habana Vieja street life.

The daiquiri was superb and refreshing on a very hot day and my mainstay of lobster, excellent.

Our first night out we ventured to the Miramar suburb.

We ate at the charming paladar, La Esperanza.

My lobster was sweet and tender.

The octopus carpaccio was the best I have ever eaten…anywhere.

I sampled my first ever Cuban lobster at StarBien for lunch on our arrival day. StarBien is located in a restored 1938 building and provides a fabulous introduction to Cuban cuisine.

You can eat very well in Havana and the prices are modest. The most expensive lobster I ordered was $20 and the priciest cocktail was $6.

I never gained an ounce.

Wish I could afford to stay on a domestic lobster diet.