Since its inception, Blend 111 has been celebrated for its sustainability. But it’s also one of the very few restaurants in the region serving upscale Latin American cuisine. This is important (and delicious) anytime, but it’s especially worthy of celebration during Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15.
Chef Andrés-Julian Zuluaga is of Puerto Rican and Colombian descent. For Hispanic Heritage Month, he created a lunchtime prix-fixe menu filled with modern interpretations of Hispanic dishes that are both healthy and flavorful, but also combine ingredients from different cultures to make the creations his own. At $29, the three-course meal is a steal and it’s already being served, now through October 15.
Appetizers include gazpacho made with mamey, an orange-colored fruit common in Latin American cuisines. Roasted honey squash is presented in a pumpkin seed mole with queso fresco and spicy aji sauce. It’s easy being green when confronted with the layers of colors and flavors of the Ceviche Verde, made with poblano leche de tigre, cucumber and tomatillos.
The Venezuelan cachapa above is among the entrees. So is an arepa de pabellón, filled with Roseda Farms brisket and shredded cheese. There are also poblano peppers stuffed with mushrooms and beets.
Tres leches cake isn’t exactly healthy, but Zuluaga keeps with the virtuous theme by including a zucchini cake among dessert options. But hey, it’s Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s OK to indulge a little bit.
