Lilliam Dominguez Palenzuela and her family were one of the first families to get state approval to run a paladar in their home in the 1990s. La Cocina de Lilliam has long held the reputation of being one of Cuba’s best paladares for both food and atmosphere.
The outdoor stone entrance next to the family villa leads guests down a winding pathway through a tropical garden of luscious plants, flowers, and trees. The soothing, meditative sounds of water flowing from fountains are the background to the covered outdoor seating area, with its finely-polished wood furniture and elegant tiles on the walls and floors. In the kitchen, Lilliam and her staff are busy cooking delicious food and creating lovely plate presentations. One woman on staff quietly carves fruits and vegetables into flower shapes, using tips and tricks she learned from Lilliam, who loves to share her cooking style and expertise to ensure that her staff is well trained. Lilliam even has a television mounted on a kitchen wall that plays cooking shows, which teach and entertain the staff as they work.
