La Parrilla Latin Food partners with Rivendell Theatre

***** Tonight we took a drive into the Edgewater neighborhood to visit a Latin dining spot on Broadway. The restaurant is La Parrilla Latin Food ( a combination of flavors from Puerto Rico, and Columbia). Our host for the evening, Kris Maharajt, greeted us at the door and despite it being a busy Saturday night, made room for the four of us. This dining spot is just minutes away from one of my favorite theater companies- Rivendell Theatre Ensemble at 5779 N. Ridge. While we are several blocks away at 5940 N. Broadway, one can easily do both and they have a special menu and great pricing for the theater where currently they have a production of “No Such Thing” which I loved! ( see my review at theater reviews).

The special by the way is $24.99 per diner and includes appetizer entrée and dessert. The 4 of us will agree that this meal will bring you great enjoyment as it did us.

Since it was a Saturday night with a party going on in the second part of the restaurant, we told Kris to put together a sampling of their menu. This would give us the Latin flavor to savor and critique. The man knows how to make an audience smile, putting together the items on their menu that are crowd pleasers.

We had a platter of appetizers: Empanadas’ ( assorted filling) Columbian fried turnover filled with meat and potatoes/ Pandebono- Columbian cheese roll, Chorizo Con Arepa ( Columbian style sausage) and Patacon (fried green plantains).

We also had Churrasco- a grilled strip steak, sautéed with onions with cassava potato and sweet plantains, some wonderful rice with shreds of chicken and veggies in a sauce that was divine. The beef Jibarto was quite flavorful and the cheese Cachapa a delight.

Notice the added touch of plantains on the meals. I for one LOVE these flavorful “bananas” from Latin America. The rice was amazing as well. The sauces were Red, Garlic and Aji.

Our beverages were Margaritas for three of us and a mojito for Jane.

The pork rinds were unique, and since none of us had ever tried them, we learned that if we take a lime and squeeze the juice on the rind, the flavor becomes far better- Kris, you were so correct!

What we learned about sauces was also unique, although Alan ( the other Alan) found out that one should ask before dipping.

All in all, we had more than enough to dine on and with drinks and everything, one can easily afford the menu prices. They also have sandwiches and a kids menu that is perfect- chicken nuggets for the younger and a grilled steak ( or chicken) with rice and beans.

For dessert: the homemade flan was terrific, but to add to the wonder, another desert that was chocolate mousse shaped into a slice of cake. This was a special treat as it was Vickie’s birthday today, and while the candle was in the flan, it was the mousse that was her highlight. Happy Birthday Vickie!

La Parrilla Latin Food is located at 5940 N. Broadway ,with street parking(metered) and side streets (no zone).