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Happy belated Thanksgiving brothers/sisters...

MiamiCubano

MiamiCubano

El Martillo (My Boxing Name)
Joined
Oct 27, 2003
Messages
3,876
Location
So. Miami Beach, Florida
Just got back from NorCal for a while, spending the Thanksgiving holidays between my old stomping grounds of San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Big Sur. Was gorgeous and the weather held up nicely. A nice dose of cold weather was very much welcomed. But, it was equally nice to get back to tropic climates.

On a B&M note...went to this quasi-new-fangled outdoor mall called Santana Row in San Jose. They had this "B&M" there called "Cohiba" something or other. With a name like that, I wanted to see just what they had to offer. After seeing the California tobacco tax in all its full blown monstrosity, I happened upon some so-called "house blended/rolled" sticks. These things ranged from around $39.95 to $59.95 per stick. I asked the guy behind the counter, "what's the story with these sticks?" He stated that those were house-rolled by a some kind of cigar rolling guru that this place has managed to secure.

"So what's with the $59.95 jobs?"

"Oh, those are our 'Cuban blends.'"

"Cuban blends?"

"Yep, 100% Cuban tobacco."

"Oh really?"

"Yes Sir."

"And how do you manage that?"

With a nod of the head with a short of side-ways, sh*t eating grin, the guy responds, "Can't say."

"I bet you can't."

"I don't know Sir, I just work here."

"And what about the other 39 and 49 dollar jobs?"

"Those are just Dominican and Nicaraguan blends."

"And who is your roller?"

"This guy...he used to live in Cuba."

"Outstanding. I'm sure he's a hell of a guy, as is your shop owner."

It was a damn, crying shame. Had a nice place, with great potential. Instead, it's just another total waste and embarassment, preying on the stupid or utterly naive.

Anyway, hope all you gents and ladies had a fantastic Thanksgiving, and that you all continue to receive blessing and favor.
 
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to you as well. It sounds like you had a good trip. I hope all the traveling BOTLs and SOTLs had safe transportation as well.
 
Hey MC...all the best to you too sir! :D

Yep, CA is a helleva place to buy cigars. I thought you knew that we grow our own Cuban blends and have our own exclusive rollers on the West coast. :sign:

Brian
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you too. So Cali was good. Thats great w/ all your travaling i havent seen you around as much.


edited to fix spelling. if i missed anything i am sorry
 
A new member at the local lounge was talking that place up the other day, pretty funny to hear your experience compared to his hype.
 
Santana Row has a reputation as being the place where one goes to spend too much money. Had you gone there on a popular evening, you'd have seen at least two Lamborghinis, a Ferari, an Astin Martin, and maybe a Bugatti. Where else can you spend $12 on a small, poorly-flavored mojito?

Cohiba is a good place to bring your own cigars, stand out front smoking them while watching the pretty girls walk by. Unfortunately, they are unable to allow you to smoke inside until they finish renovating their air filters. The gentry living upstairs complained that smoke smells were coming up through the walls and distressing them.

Next time you are in town, stick with the known good B&M's in the area: Mission Pipe and West Coast Cigars. Also, let a local newb such as myself meet you for a smoke, a bite, a drink, or a combination of those.
 
Sean speaks the truth .... :thumbs: . I'm hoping we can do a NorCal HERF next spring at West Coast cigars. Food, drink, cigars and no worries from teh neighbors at that place.


Nice to have you back MC, next time ...... next time.


:cool:
 
Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you and yours.

So you didn't bring us back some of those $59 jobbies to blind taste teste? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
 
Seanholio said:
Santana Row has a reputation as being the place where one goes to spend too much money. Had you gone there on a popular evening, you'd have seen at least two Lamborghinis, a Ferari, an Astin Martin, and maybe a Bugatti. Where else can you spend $12 on a small, poorly-flavored mojito?

Cohiba is a good place to bring your own cigars, stand out front smoking them while watching the pretty girls walk by. Unfortunately, they are unable to allow you to smoke inside until they finish renovating their air filters. The gentry living upstairs complained that smoke smells were coming up through the walls and distressing them.

Next time you are in town, stick with the known good B&M's in the area: Mission Pipe and West Coast Cigars. Also, let a local newb such as myself meet you for a smoke, a bite, a drink, or a combination of those.
Click to expand...


I see those vehicles in my neighborhood. :laugh:

The Bay Area is where I grew up, and spent more years/decades than I care to admit to. I've been away an equally lengthy period of time and Santana Row is a quasi-new development that I thought I'd take a gander at, primarily to see what became of the old Town and Country mall. It's clearly aimed a certain crowd, just as that "Cohiba" place is aimed at ripping off a certain crowd.

I still know of the old, steadfast B&Ms of San Francisco, but when I go back again, will definitely be up for a mini HERF and libations, particularly at Casa Sanchez. ;) :D
 
Always good to here from you MC!

I went to school and lived for a few years after in Santa Cruz, and there is a great out-of-the way B&M in the neighboring town of Soquel called 'Bay Brair.' If you're in Santa Cruz again it is certainly worth a stop. Their selection isn't great, but the vibe of the tiny place is tough to beat.

I think the Cohiba place is a chain, as there is one in Orange, CA in the 'Block' (a similar out-door mall, though not as upscale as Santana Row.) The last time I was in there I think they were charging over $30 for a PAM Principe.
 
cuppajack said:
Always good to here from you MC!

I went to school and lived for a few years after in Santa Cruz, and there is a great out-of-the way B&M in the neighboring town of Soquel called 'Bay Brair.' If you're in Santa Cruz again it is certainly worth a stop. Their selection isn't great, but the vibe of the tiny place is tough to beat.

I think the Cohiba place is a chain, as there is one in Orange, CA in the 'Block' (a similar out-door mall, though not as upscale as Santana Row.) The last time I was in there I think they were charging over $30 for a PAM Principe.
Click to expand...

I decided to put some (wasted) time into looking into them, and in fact they are chain, based in L.A.

As for their staff, he did follow me around the humidor.

I also neglected to add in my initial post...when I queried what the tax on tobacco products (i.e., cigars) was in California, he quipped "10 cents a cigar."

"10 cents? Really?"

"Yep."

"You sure you don't want to re-think that response?"

"Um...wait a minute...well...46 percent."

:laugh:

"That's a hell of a difference fella."

Nervous laughter on his part..."Ha..ha...ha...yeah."
 
MiamiCubano said:
I see those vehicles in my neighborhood. :laugh:

The Bay Area is where I grew up, and spent more years/decades than I care to admit to. I've been away an equally lengthy period of time and Santana Row is a quasi-new development that I thought I'd take a gander at, primarily to see what became of the old Town and Country mall. It's clearly aimed a certain crowd, just as that "Cohiba" place is aimed at ripping off a certain crowd.

I still know of the old, steadfast B&Ms of San Francisco, but when I go back again, will definitely be up for a mini HERF and libations, particularly at Casa Sanchez. ;) :D
Click to expand...
Holy cow, a fellow native! I grew up near Lawrence Expressway and 280, so the old Town and Country was well-known to me. My optometrist was located in there, and I saw several movies at the old T&C theater.
 
Seanholio said:
MiamiCubano said:
I see those vehicles in my neighborhood. :laugh:

The Bay Area is where I grew up, and spent more years/decades than I care to admit to. I've been away an equally lengthy period of time and Santana Row is a quasi-new development that I thought I'd take a gander at, primarily to see what became of the old Town and Country mall. It's clearly aimed a certain crowd, just as that "Cohiba" place is aimed at ripping off a certain crowd.

I still know of the old, steadfast B&Ms of San Francisco, but when I go back again, will definitely be up for a mini HERF and libations, particularly at Casa Sanchez. ;) :D
Click to expand...
Holy cow, a fellow native! I grew up near Lawrence Expressway and 280, so the old Town and Country was well-known to me. My optometrist was located in there, and I saw several movies at the old T&C theater.
Click to expand...


Remember "For Eyes" ? :laugh:


:cool:
 
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