We Ivonne and Rolando Verdecia were getting tired of driving to West L.A. and Hollywood for our fine dining fix. So, after decades of combined experience in the food service industry, we struck out on our own, opening Mojito Caribbean Cuisine on September 29, 2004.

Fusing the classic home cooking of Rolando’s Cuban heritage with explosively flavorful ingredients from the Caribbean, Mojito has quickly became a culinary hotspot in the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond, even attracting a visit from KABC-TV’s Elmer Dills.

It’s not just the food that keeps them coming back to Mojito. Our restaurant itself is stunning, an architectural journey back to the glamour days of Havana. Customers enter through ornate wood and iron doors leading to the hand-carved mahogany bar where the signature drink Mojito is crafted a potent concoction of rum, sugar syrup, crushed lime and mint leafs.

Illuminated glass walls, custom tile work, and colorful murals depicting a bygone era of decadence add to the ambience; while high-backed booths complete with heavy velvet privacy curtains.

Our menu is extraordinary and it continues to evolve we’ve added more traditional flavors to the plates, using recipes from Rolando’s mother, who’s an amazing Cuban cook. It’s just been extremely fine tuned."

We also added lunch service, including reasonably priced salads, such as the gorgeous grilled chicken mango salad ($9) and hearty sandwiches with Cuban bread starting at ($10).

At night, the menu really shines. The kitchen consistently turns out world-class Paella, a Spanish-style, saffron-hued rice dish laden with clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, whitefish, chicken, and chorizo, topped with half a lobster, as well as my favorite entrée, the Cordero: grilled lamb chops. We’re the owners, but we have to say, our food is exceptionally delicious. People have noticed that since we have been voted for the second time Best Dining Restaurant. Thank You Santa Clarita!