The Flavio’s location at 1766 Main St in Sarasota is closing its doors. The space has been sold and will reopen this summer as a new Cuban restaurant—Cuba 1958 Authentic Cuban Cuisine—according to coverage by the Herald-Tribune.
Flavio’s on Main’s sister restaurant, the original Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar, will remain open in Siesta Key Village, the coverage says.
“It was too much for me handling two locations, especially as Siesta Key gets very busy; we do big numbers seasonally there,” Cristofoli said in the Herald-Tribune coverage.
Replacing Flavio’s is Cuba 1958, a spinoff of New Jersey-born concept 1958 Cuban Cuisine.
“We’re an authentic Cuban restaurant. Our chef is from Cuba. So are the owners,” says the Jersey restaurant’s website. “These delicious dishes are the foods from our homeland – the tastes and smells of the kitchens we grew up in. For us, what we cook is more than just food. It’s memories of a family and a special culture. Coming to 1958 Cuban Cuisine is not just about the food. It’s a celebration of life – not necessarily as it is, but how – at least for one meal – how we would like it to be. Join us on our island – a little sanity in a world sometimes moving too fast.”
What Now reached out to co-owner Daniel Jimenez on Friday to inquire about plans for the Sarasota location’s menu. Jimenez was not immediately available to discuss the new restaurant. The New Jersey location offers sandwiches like the classic Cubano and the Oxtail Sandwich, and entrees like Lechon Asado (Roast pork, a trademark of the Cuban cuisine, seasoned with a traditional marinade and roasted to perfection), Fricase de Pollo (Chicken, potatoes, peas, olives, tomatoes and wine combine to make a delicious one-pot stew), and Paella Cubana (Shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, chicken, chorizo, calamari, peppers, and saffron rice).
The Cuba 1958 Instagram page appears to be under construction (it’s still private), but you can give it a follow on Instagram: @cuba1958srq.
