Believe it or not, I will be here! Woo hoo! Shoot me an e-mail at writingjulie@gmail.com and we’ll make plans to get together for mojitos, cigars, and some good food…and maybe some great music, too. I just got a good tip from a friend whose boyfriend owns a bar that has live Cuban music on the weekend.

Francisco specializes in making people’s days. It’s a bit overwhelming sometimes, to be truthful.

Regarding your cigar question, Francisco recommends the brands Bolivar (#2), Begueros, H. Upmann, and “Cohiba, claro.”

That’s a direct quote.

Montecristo, too.

He further suggests that you make sure that the cigars are coming from a box that has a seal of authenticity (though the seal will be broken because the box will be open). You can show off your cigar knowledge by asking the tobacconist if the cigars are authentic Cubans or if they are merely grown from Cuban seed.

If you are in NY, I’m there from Friday-Monday. Would be great to catch up if you are actually there.

Enjoy the cubanos!

PS Julie, tell Francisco he made my day with his comment!