First Half Year

First Half Year / Rebeca Monzo
Rebeca Monzo, Translator: Unstated

Just six months since it opened, a full house has been the common
denominator for the whole half-year, for the private restaurant La Rosa
Negra.

Early on Pedrito, the young owner, had to face many bureaucratic
obstacles and so many others caused, unfortunately, by misunderstandings
with some neighbors: that the air conditioning is noisy, that the odors
penetrate the neighboring houses, that the water in their tanks is low
because the restaurant's is full. In short, the normal things that
happen with any State enterprise, and that no good neighbor has dared to
question until now. Why should there be this reaction against private
businesses"

Sadly, it is the accumulated and captive frustration, which only seems
to be given free rein when it's a private business, forgetting that it's
nothing more than a neighbor. There's no worse splinter than from your
own stick, as my grandmother used to say.

Fernando and Rebeca

Fortunately, this young entrepreneur has managed to negotiate all these
obstacles with diplomacy and intelligence and has improved every day.
Not only are the conditions of the place ever more pleasant, but the
menu offerings are always getting better and more varied and the prices
are considerably more reasonable than most of its competitors. The Black
Rose has quickly become, in one of the most successful restaurants in
the capital, already a landmark.

It's nice to see the development of private initiative, which is
ultimately what drives growth. No country gets richer because it gets
more millionaires, but because the middle class grows.

Many may think that personal interests lead me to write about this new
restaurant. I assure you that no one pays me for this, I do it simply
for the satisfaction I derive from seeing the incipient development of
private enterprise. These small establishments, businesses created with
great effort and against all odds in less than favorable conditions,
with good taste — and capital, of course — have been gradually changing
the faded and drab image of socialism as we know it. New colors, more
lighting, well-cared for gardens and areas surrounding the
establishment, more cleanliness, more variety and quality are the
magical elements that have influenced the success of them.

If you want to know more about this restaurant you can go to its
Facebook page: larosanegradelahabana.

Address: Tulipan y 24, Nuevo Vedado, La Habana, La Habana 10600

http://translatingcuba.com/first-half-year-rebeca-monzo/