expect to be attacked by a cloud of delicious barbeque smoke when you attempt to find happy hour at the upstairs patio in the summer, followed by being told to wait a half hour for a spot for two. then, to top off the tease factor: being told that the happy hour specials menu as listed online (as of August 2014) is no longer available. (..?!)
nevertheless, reservations for a larger group is a good idea even mid-week as this place does get rather busy.
- CHIPS & GUAC - appreciated the variety of chips: potato, plantain, yucca, taro...but just so darn salty
- CHUZOS AL PLANCHA - two beef skewers with chimichurri and mini arepas topping the ends of each. keep in mind the portions if sharing between non-multiples of two. beef was tender but arepas were bland
- CHORI PAPA - crumbled sausage with potatoes, peppers, chipotle mayo and goat cheese. a hearty version of nachos, really enjoyed this.
- CHAUFA - super satisfying fried rice in terms of both flavour and texture -- pop pop crunch from fish roe, shredded duck provided textural contrast, and there was a hint of sweetness throughout. significantly larger portioned vs. all the other dishes
- PUPUSA - thick corn tortillas topped with a variety of veggies. definitely looks prettier than it tastes (i.e. rather bland)
- ATUN JAPONES - ahi ceviche with watermelon. this order came so late that we had already finished eating and wanted to cancel it, except for our curiosity at how the watermelon would work in this ceviche. the consensus? passable. while tuna & watermelon could work well together, the flavours in this dish were like awkward kids at a grade school dance -- no mingling
- TORMENTA OSCURA - a tart version of a dark & stormy cocktail. i could've done with a little more stormy (ginger beer) and less tart (lime). this watered down really quick for me and was easily forgettable
there are just too many restaurants in the city for me to want to come back here for the hit & miss of everything, but the chori papa and chaufa would definitely be my go-to's if i did.