If you're looking for the perfect Cubano sandwich in Melbourne, it doesn't get much better than this. Award-winning chef Charlie Carrington (Atlas Dining) has opened a brand new sandwich bar inspired by the famous Cuban neighbourhood in Miami, Little Havana.
Carrington is one of our hospitality industry's most exciting players, having worked in some of the world's best kitchens under the likes of Gordon Ramsay. And at the tender age of 22, he became Australia's youngest hatted chef. But these days, when he's not in the heat of the kitchen, he's out exploring the world.
On recent trips to Miami, Carrington found himself enamoured with the traditional Cuban-inspired sangas popular in the area.
“It’s with great pleasure that I introduce traditional Cuban Sandwiches to Melbourne’s expanding repertoire of sandwich stops," he said. "In my perspective, the authentic Cubano is thoroughly deserving of the title: ‘Best in the World’.”
So what's so great about it? Carrington notes that what makes a traditional Cuban sanga unique is in the little details – the high-pressure pressing of the crisp crusted bread (which helps better integrate and concentrate the fillings' flavours), dual-meat combinations lending a savoury complexity, and the exclusive use of sweet, mild and nutty Swiss cheese.
At Little Havana, the team take pride in curing their own ham and roasting their own beef to further control and enhance the taste. Aside from the signature pork Cubano, a range of other sangas are available, including the croquette, the roast beef, the chicken and for vegos, the mushroom. Freshly made salads, sides and coffees round out the menu, but there's no doubt that the sandwiches are the stars of the show.
Drooling yet? Find out more at the website.
