When Chef William Milian was offered the job as executive chef at a new Cuban restaurant in Miami called Caña, he knew exactly where to go for advice.
“I asked my mom,’’ Milian said.
That was in 2018. Mom’s advice combined with her son’s culinary talents, which started in her kitchen, have made Caña one of the top authentic Cuban restaurants in South Florida. Impressive on its own to be sure, but even more given the fact that Milian’s professional experiences came in Greek and Italian restaurants in New York and Miami.
“I had never worked before in a Cuban restaurant,’’ said Milian, who defected from Cuba at the age of 23 and cut his culinary chops under legendary chefs Michael Psilakis and José Andrés. “I knew what it was like cooking Cuban food at home, but not for a lot of people in a restaurant.
“I told the owners that I needed to think about it. My mom – who came to Miami 20 years ago – said she would help me as much as possible. It was a good challenge, so I took it.’’
One visit (or more) to Caña – located in the Hyatt Centric hotel in Miami’s trendy Brickell neighborhood – makes guests glad Milian accepted the challenge. The restaurant’s dinner menu is loaded with flavorful Cuban dishes such as Piernita de Cerdo Asada (roasted pork shank and mojo criollo) and Vaca Frita (mojo marinated grilled shredded beef and Cuban mojo), while the lunch menu features an outstanding Sandwich Cubano and a Skirt Steak sandwich.
The weekday Happy Hour (5 pm to 7 pm) makes Caña’s lounge one of the more popular destinations on Brickell.
Caña also offers a break menu and a Saturday-Sunday brunch menu that features Brunch Bowl Cubano (white rice / black beans / avocado / sweet plantain / two eggs with a choice of pork, beef or chicken.
Dessert? Don’t pass on the Willy Cherino (bourbon ice cream with dark cherries).
“It’s all about family traditions and sharing,’’ Milian said. “It’s all about being consistent. I knew I was going to be able to do something more elevated. I love what I’m doing now.’’
So does Mom.
Photo: Chef William Milian (Caña Miami)