NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas and TODAY’s own Al Roker had some fun in the sun when Tom showed Al around his hometown of Miami.
Tom is in Miami hosting NBC Nightly News this week, and Al went down to join him and get a lesson in what to know about the city’s Little Havana neighborhood, or what is also called La Pequeña Havana.
Their tour began at El Pub restaurant’s “la ventanita.”
“That means ‘the small window,’” Tom explained. “People love having a cafecito here. They walk up, or they drive up, they ask for ‘dos café, por favor.’ And they get their Cuban coffee. They sip their coffee, they talk, they catch up.”
After Al mentioned he smelled cigar smoke, Tom said that’s in line with what Little Havana is.
“There’s cigar smoke here. There’s smell of fried plantains. This is the smell of Little Havana. It’s such a special place, and it’s been like this, Al, since probably around 1959, 1960. Little Havana has just grown and it’s thrived.
“Right after I was born, my parents had an apartment in Little Havana, and so the first year of my life was here and just changed completely. Little Havana has exploded in size. It’s a tourist mecca, but there’s still certain spots like this place where you can come and you can get the authentic Little Havana.”
“It’s got to be special for you now you’re anchoring NBC Nightly News, the son of Cuban immigrants. How does that feel?” Al asked.
“Oh, it’s incredibly special. I’m so proud to be from this community,” Tom responded before they sipped their coffee, which Tom described as, “Que rico,” or, “That’s delicious.”
Tom and Al then went inside El Pub, where Tom guided Al through some classic Cuban food, including a beef dish called vaca frita, as well as tostones, which are plantains that are mashed and fried. And then there was the Cubano.
“It’s not just a ham and cheese sandwich. It’s ham, cheese and a little bit of pork,” Tom said.
“Oh my gosh, the perfect Cuban sandwich,” Al said.
After chowing down, Tom and Al walked down Calle Ocho, which is the center of Little Havana, featuring shops, bars and restaurants. They stopped into a store that sells guayaberas, which are traditional Cuban shirts that are breathable and light to wear in the heat. They both got fitted for their own shirts, while Al also got a hat.
“I feel Cuban!” Al exclaimed.
“You look like Miami!” Tom said.
The pair then headed to acclaimed hot spot Ball & Chain, where Tom and Al hit the dance floor before they enjoyed some drinks in the bar.
“So in Miami, there’s only two cocktails you need to know,” Tom said before ordering.
“No. 1, the Mojito. So, one Mojito, and No. 2, rum and Coke. Also known as Cuba Libre. So one Cuba Libre.”
As they enjoyed their drinks, Tom also told Al what he called “a secret of Miami,” which is saying the word “dale.”
“This is the one word you need to know. If you know this, you’ll get anything in Miami,” Tom said.
Al said it to the band at Ball & Chain, which immediately began playing, putting what Tom called a “perfect end” to his day with Al.
