It’s time to start planning that big date! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you might be thinking about making reservations and planning out the perfect night with your valentine. We’re here with a few famous Latino restaurant destinations that might make the perfect backdrop to your romantic night.
Every Latino knows food is an essential part of our culture. Food is a form of expression and celebration. Some may even consider food a love language, expressing their affection for their loved ones through cuisine.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day we’ve gathered some famous Latino restaurants in the US that will make the perfect setting for your next date!
The Bazaar
The Bazaar is a famous restaurant owned by Chef José Andrés offering gourmet traditional Spanish cuisine, with locations in Miami, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.
“A carefully curated theater of shared plates, The Bazaar consistently wows its guests with ingeniously innovative cuisine, thoughtfully created cocktails, theatrical presentations, and attentive yet unfussy service. The Bazaar takes guests on a wild sensory adventure born of José’s Spanish roots, both traditional and avant-garde, in a bold, playful atmosphere where anything is possible. Each location is completely unique, adding a fresh, ever-evolving intrigue to the world of The Bazaar.”
Los Fuegos, Miami
Los Fuegos is a Miami-based restaurant specializing in Argentine cuisine. Created by Chef Francis Mallmann, a renowned South American chef, Los Fuegos’ namesake pays tribute to his childhood. Growing up in Patagonia on a cliff overlooking Lago Moreno, fire played a large role in Mallmann’s childhood and the memories of that time define him and his cooking techniques today.
“Born from a passion for the ancient art of South American live-fire cooking, Argentine grillmaster Francis Mallmann creates a contemporary asado experience with an open-fire kitchen, local ingredients and a gaucho’s touch to transform traditional rustic recipes into sophisticated, savory dishes.”
El Charro Cafe
El Charro was established in 1922 in Tucson, Arizona and is The Nation’s Oldest Mexican Restaurant in continuous operation by its founding family. Founded by Tia Monica Flin, a true entrepreneur and burgeoning chef, who came to Tucson in the 1800’s, El Charro specializes in Northern Mexico-Sonoran style and innovative Tucson-style Mexican Food. Additionally, Tia Monica Flin is well-known as “The Inventor of The Chimichanga!
“Back in those days, a woman owned business was rare enough, but El Charro was even more unique as it was truly a one woman operation, with Monica acting as hostess, waitress and chef all at the same time! Today, Carlotta Flores, our chef-author and great grandniece of Monica, carries on the tradition of Tia Monica!”
Tanta
Tanta is a Chicago-based Peruvian restaurant by Chef Gastón Acurio. Gastón founded his restaurant with the mission in mind to embrace his culture and flavors and share Peruvian cuisine around the world.
Chef Gastón describes his restaurant as a journey. “Our menu is like traveling throughout Peru from the Pacific Ocean to playing in the desert to touring the Andes mountains, the reflection of the Lake Titicaca over the Altiplano, through the amazing colors and sounds of the Amazon Jungle… traveling, celebrating, sharing the flavors and joys of Peru and having fun with respect and gratitude to the Earth.”
CHICA
Founded by Chef Lorena Garcia, CHICA offers a diverse menu drawing influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and more. Based in Las Vegas with additional locations throughout the country, CHICA is a must-visit for Latino cuisine lovers. Additionally, Chef Lorena is the first Latina chef on the Las Vegas Strip.
“Lorena’s life as a chef, entrepreneur, cookbook author, media personality, cookware designer and restaurateur has been a celebration of the cooking and passion for food that she grew up with in her native Caracas, Venezuela…Her recipes have been featured in publications such as People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Saveur, and she has been profiled in business magazines for her significant role as a strong female Latina chef and business-owner including Kiplinger’s and Entrepreneur.”
Johnny Sánchez
Johnny Sánchez is a restaurant based in New Orleans specializing in traditional Mexican cooking and founded by award-winning chef, TV personality, cookbook author and philanthropist, Aarón Sánchez. As one of the world’s most distinguished Latin chefs, Aarón is passionate about preserving his family’s legacy through food and encouraging diversity in the kitchen.
“A smart, chic and authentic restaurant that embodies the warmth of traditional Mexican cooking, and the fun and genuine hospitality that defines New Orleans. It bridges traditional Mexican food with a cutting-edge, modern approach to dining that utilizes the very best ingredients. Serious food in a fun environment is the name of the game. Stepping through the door will bring guests out of their everyday routine and into an inspired atmosphere reminiscent of Mexico City.”
Cosme
Cosme is a restaurant in New York City’s Flatiron District serving contemporary Mexican-inspired cuisine. Founded by world-renowned Chef Enrique Olvera, he and his team create dishes rooted in Mexican flavors and traditions, while also celebrating local and seasonal ingredients from the Hudson Valley and surrounding region.
“There’s little doubt that Enrique Olvera is the world’s best-known chef from Mexico. Olvera has become an ambassador of sorts for Mexican gastronomy, shining a light on a great world cuisine that for too long was obscured by frozen margaritas and guacamole.” –CNN
We hope this list of famous Latino restaurants in the US has sparked some inspiration for your next romantic outing!
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I’ve been to El Charro and I can vouch for it. It’s off the hook!