New Cuban restaurants set to open in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota

Lakewood Ranch's Albert Myara has worked in the restaurant business most of his life, but his newest venture might have been his most natural, and simple, decision of all.

Myara, who currently owns Bogeys Restaurant and Sports Pub of Bradenton, and is a part-owner of Ed's Tavern of Lakewood Ranch, has decided to open Cuban restaurants, Mojos Paladar, in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota within the next few months.

Why?

The first reason is that Myara loves Cuban food. "I used to eat Cuban food five times a week," he said.

Next, he wants to work with his two sons.

Adam Myara, who is 29 and a 2004 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School, will manage the Mojos Paladar in Lakewood Ranch. Austin Myara, who is 19 and a 2014 graduate of Braden River High School, currently manages Bogeys, but will assist his brother in running Mojos Paladar in Lakewood Ranch.

Mojos Paladar in Lakewood Ranch will be in the Publix shopping center on State Road 70. It will have 48 seats and will be a "fast, casual" restaurant. Hiring for the restaurant begins Jan. 4 and a mid January opening is planned.

Mojos Paladar in Sarasota is expected to open in late February or early March and will be located at 1830 S. Osprey Ave.

"Fast, casual dining is very popular now," Albert Myara said. "You will be able to get your food at Mojos Paladar as quickly as you can walk down the line."

Customers will pick from a Cuban bowl or Cuban platter that will include a choice of lechon asado (slow roasted pork marinated with citrus mojo sauce and topped with sauteed onions), pollo asado (slow roasted chicken seasoned with a combination of fresh ground garlic and herbs topped with sauteed onions), ropa vieja (shredded flank steak slow cooked with green peppers and onions in a light tomatoe sauce) or Picadillo (freshly ground beef slow cooked in a light tomato sauce).

Traditional Cuban sandwiches will be available and sides include tostones (fried plantains), maduros (sweet plantains) Yuca frieds and croquettas. Flan and Tres Leches are among the dessert offerings.

"I just love the flavors and the mojo sauce," Albert Myara said.

The sauce was such an important part of the restaurant that the Myaras included it in the name of the restaurant. Adam Myara explained that "paladars" were underground restaurants in Cuba that weren't controlled by the government. 

"When you see 'paladar,' it means authentic Cuban food," Adam Myara said.

Although Myara will love working with his sons, he was trying to steer them away from the restaurant business.

"The restaurant business is such that on a holiday, everybody's having fun and you are working," Albert Myara said. "I didn't want that for my boys."

Both both sons have embraced the business.

"They both have been around the business their whole lives," Albert Myara said. "At 6 years old, Adam was washing dishes. He has done all the jobs in a restaurant."

Adam Myara also has been involved with all steps of opening Mojos Paladar. "I am going to know every facet of this store," he said.

At 19, Austin Myara has been getting a crash course in restaurant management by running Bogeys.

"One thing about Austin, there are no gray areas with him," Albert Myara said. "He walks a straight line."

Albert Myara really doesn't have to run more restaurants, but he said, "Once you get hooked, it's in your blood. I love doing this."