Patrias, Not Just Tapas

Querida Patrias,

Thank you for bringing Port Chester residents authentic Spanish and Peruvian cuisine. You stand out among Port Chester's finest dining establishments--even the Latin ones, which is saying a lot.

Con Amor,

Hailee

As we opened the door and walked inside, it was as if we caught the hostess off-guard, perhaps coming in earlier than some of the more regular guests. The night started off a bit slow, but as the evening progressed, patrons began to fill the restaurant.

In the beginning, there was garlic and olive oil, a tasty snack we enjoyed with goey, oven-warmed bread. Delightful.

Glancing over the tapas menu and faced with so many choices, the question on the tip of everyone's tongue was, "What to get? What to get?"

As we pondered, the Tempranillo wine we selected was presented. Not to be outdone, the kids helped themselves to glasses of the popular Peruvian drink Chicha Morada.

We placed our order and in hardly any time at all, a line of servers poured from the kitchen with each of our selections.

After admiring the sight of our table full of appetizing tapas dishes, each of us began piling food on our with wild abandon. The conversation turned from daily events to, "Who wants one of these? Oh, try this!"

The bowl of Tostones con Guacamole, was the first dish to be devoured. Who knew fried plantain chips be such a fun alternative to tortilla chips. The guacamole could have used a little more salt, but paired with the sweet and salty flavor of the tostones, you don't mind so much.

The Ceviche Mixto was divine and so fresh! The generous portion size could easily make it a wonderful meal on its own. With its well-developed flavors, there was no need to add even an extra squeeze of lemon or lime to the dish.

If you ask me, anything paired with Manchego cheese is heavenly. So naturally, I fell in love with the Chori Queso. This bowl of spicy sausage had a layer of slightly melted Manchego cheese on it that was toe-curlingly good.

The Boquerones con Tostones are a must. Tostones are fried plantains, but these were covered with a smoky red sauce and what looked like cilantro pesto. Delicately laid on top of the tostone was a marinated white anchovy. The ever so salty fish and the tostones make for a superb flavor combination.

By the time our table was cleared of tapas, the noise level was way up, since the venue was close to being completely filled. It made for an exciting pre-dinner atmosphere.

We commended our server as she seemed to be the only one working the floor that evening, along with the manager, of course. But the night wasn't over yet.

We ordered two main entrees. The first item was the Paella de Arroz Negro. As I watched my family feast on  the paella, something unexpected happened.

You see, the squid ink used to blacken the rice also dyes your teeth. In a matter of minutes, we all had black teeth. "This would be a bad date dish," I thought. Being family, we all laughed it off and kept on eating.

The colors of the shellfish and green peas against the backdrop of the black rice were pleasing to the eye, and just like the ceviche, the seafood was super fresh. Highly recommended.

The Lomo Saltado is as authentic Latin as they get. A simple combination of sautéed beef, red onions, and tomatoes on top of a pile of French fries makes for a great meal when looking for a lot of bang for the buck.

For dessert, we had the Dulce de Leche Cake , alongside a heaping scoop of Fried Ice Cream. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I would have rather have ordered an extra tapa or two.