Tom Llamas Reveals Al Roker Round His Hometown of Miami
NBC Nightly Information anchor Tom Llamas and TODAY’s personal Al Roker had some enjoyable within the solar when Tom confirmed Al round his hometown of Miami.
Tom is in Miami internet hosting NBC Nightly Information this week, and Al went down to hitch him and get a lesson in what to know concerning the metropolis’s Little Havana neighborhood, or what can be known as La Pequeña Havana.
Their tour started at El Pub restaurant’s “la ventanita.”
“Which means ‘the small window,’” Tom defined. “Folks love having a cafecito right here. They stroll up, or they drive up, they ask for ‘dos café, por favor.’ They usually get their Cuban espresso. They sip their espresso, they speak, they catch up.”
After Al talked about he smelled cigar smoke, Tom stated that’s in step with what Little Havana is.
“There’s cigar smoke right here. There’s scent of fried plantains. That is the scent of Little Havana. It’s such a particular place, and it’s been like this, Al, since most likely round 1959, 1960. Little Havana has simply grown and it’s thrived.
“Proper after I used to be born, my mother and father had an residence in Little Havana, and so the primary 12 months of my life was right here and simply modified utterly. Little Havana has exploded in measurement. It’s a vacationer mecca, however there’s nonetheless sure spots like this place the place you possibly can come and you will get the genuine Little Havana.”
“It’s obtained to be particular for you now you’re anchoring NBC Nightly Information, the son of Cuban immigrants. How does that really feel?” Al requested.
“Oh, it’s extremely particular. I’m so proud to be from this neighborhood,” Tom responded earlier than they sipped their espresso, which Tom described as, “Que rico,” or, “How scrumptious.”
Tom and Al then went inside El Pub, the place Tom guided Al by some basic Cuban meals, together with a beef dish known as vaca frita, in addition to tostones, that are plantains which are mashed and fried. After which there was the Cubano.
“It’s not only a ham and cheese sandwich. It’s ham, cheese and a little bit little bit of pork,” Tom stated.
“Oh my gosh, the proper Cuban sandwich,” Al stated.
After chowing down, Tom and Al walked down Calle Ocho, which is the middle of Little Havana, that includes outlets, bars and eating places. They stopped right into a retailer that sells guayaberas, that are conventional Cuban shirts which are breathable and light-weight to put on within the warmth. They each obtained fitted for their very own shirts, whereas Al additionally obtained a hat.
“I really feel Cuban!” Al exclaimed.
“You appear like Miami!” Tom stated.
The pair then headed to acclaimed sizzling spot Ball & Chain, the place Tom and Al hit the dance flooring earlier than they loved some drinks within the bar.
“So in Miami, there’s solely two cocktails you should know,” Tom stated earlier than ordering.
“No. 1, the Mojito. So, one Mojito, and No. 2, rum and Coke. Also referred to as Cuba Libre. So one Cuba Libre.”
As they loved their drinks, Tom additionally instructed Al what he known as “a secret of Miami,” which is saying the phrase “dale.”
“That is the one phrase you should know. If you recognize this, you’ll get something in Miami,” Tom stated.
Al stated it to the band at Ball & Chain, which instantly started enjoying, placing what Tom known as a “excellent finish” to his day with Al.