Cassandra: When you think of Caribbean – what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Dean: When I think of the Caribbean the first thing that comes to mind is golf.

Cassandra: Really. Why?

Dean: Because the Caribbean is my favorite place to go for a golf vacation and  because of so many other things to do there – such as all of the water sports, like skiing and just getting out in the water.

Cassandra: I know you play a lot of golf in New York, do you think of the Caribbean when you out on the golf course there?

Dean: It depends on what type of hat I’m wearing. If I’m wearing my white witch hat from Monterey Bay then Yes, I’m thinking of the Caribbean.  Monterey Bay has one of the best courses in Jamaica and my white witch hat takes me back to Monterey Bay.

Cassandra: New York has so many great restaurants especially Caribbean restaurants,  what’s your favorite place to get good Caribbean food?

Dean: Well there’s a place that I like in terms of Cuban food. It’s on McDougal street – it’s called Cuba. The food is good. The atmosphere is good. There’s good music and  a guy sits there and rolls cigars.

Cassandra: Sounds like fun.

Dean: It is! In fact, I just went to a Cuban place last week on Columbus. Some friends came in town and they chose Calle Ocho.

Cassandra: Calle Ocho? There’s an area in Miami called Calle Ocho.  

Dean: Yes! I remember going to Calle Ocho the last time I was in Miami.  My nephew was there doing a play and we hung out there.

Cassandra: What’s your favorite Caribbean style music?

 Dean: Arturo  Sandoval – I love Cuban jazz. I really love the influence of Africa on the Cuban music.

Cassandra: What’s your favorite Caribbean meal?

Dean: Oh no! Unfortunately, it’s Paella. Although, I’ve developed an allergy to shellfish. So if I can’t have Paella, I would have to say my second favorite Caribbean meal is Estivis Fish. It’s kind of a stewed fish with peppers and onions. It’s a Jamaican dish.  

Cassandra: Sounds delicious. So, what do you do when you want to have the Caribbean wherever you are?

Dean: If I want to get that Caribbean feel. It would have to be with music. I’m very music –oriented.  I will listen to some reggae, some Ska, some Cuban Jazz and Marley – Bob Marley!

 {singing}

“I wanna love you and treat you right;
I wanna love you every day and every nightI wanna love you and treat you right;
I wanna love you every day and every night”

I go there instantly. Marley takes me there instantly even more so than Cuban jazz.

Editor’s Note:

The White Witch hat Dean refers to is from “The White Witch Golf Course” in Rose Hall, Jamaica.

Also, most people think Paella is from Spain, but it’s actually very popular in Cuba.