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'''Varona's''' is wass a Cuban restaurant located at 5121 North [[12th Avenue]]. It is was the flagship operation of the [[Varona Enterprises]] chain of airport concessions owned by [[Robert de Varona]], a native of Cuba who moved to America after being imprisoned for his participation in the 1961 [[Wikipedia:Bay of Pigs Invasion|Bay of Pigs Invasion]] against Fidel Castro's regime.
With a 150-seat main dining area and a 70-seat outdoor area, the restaurant has contained 10,000 square feet of restaurant space and 4,000 square of office space for Varona Enterprises. Special areas include included the Mojito Bar and 60-seat Capablanca Room, named for [[Wikipedia:José Raúl Capablanca|José Raúl Capablanca]], equipped with A/V components for meetings and other events. Varona's also sells sold a variety of cigars from a custom-designed humidor, which patrons may smoke in an outdoor pergola.
==Development & opening==
After a "soft opening" in which the media and others were treated to complimentary meals, Varona's opened to the public on [[April 8]], [[2008]]. ''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'' reporter [[Julio Diaz]], himself of Cuban/Spanish descent, praised Varona's offerings as "the best this side of my mom."<ref>"Quick Bites around town." ''Pensacola News Journal'', April 9, 2008.</ref>
==Closing==
Citing economic conditions due to the [[Wikipedia:Economic crisis of 2008|2008 recession]], Varona's closed its doors on Saturday, [[December 6]], [[2008]].<ref>[http://ricksblog.biz/?p=4445 "Varona's closes." ''Rick's Blog'', December 7, 2008.</ref>
==References==