“Expect the unexpected’’ is more than just a mantra at Arcano, the terrific Latin-inspired restaurant in Coral Gables, FL., it’s a promise. Want proof? The restaurant’s Noches de Raíces, held the first Thursday of each month, brings home Arcano owners Juan Diego and Nicole Canahuati’s dedication to their customers and their Spanish food, drink, music and cultural traditions.
The next event – July 10 – celebrates Venezuela and will include dancers and a live band. Noches de Raíces emphasizes Arcano’s overall concept of taking guests on Hispano culinary journeys from Spain to Mexico to South America.
In that regard, just as with Noches de Raíces, Arcano doesn’t disappoint. Located on Giralda Ave in the heart of Coral Gables, Arcano features comfortable seating for 120 (indoors and outdoors), a private dining room and a menu that marries traditional, shared plate Latin cuisine with “expect the unexpected’’ flair, most of which comes in shared-plate presentations.
“We named the restaurant, ‘Arcano’ to imply that surprises are in store, keep our clients intrigued, and to make sure the experience is accessible and unintimidating for our guests,’’ Juan Diego Canahuati said. “Arcano is the type of place that embraces nostalgia while looking ahead.”
Hamburguesa Arcano (Arcano)
A good way to get acquainted with Arcano might be the “Taste the Gables’’ menu. Available from 12 pm to 3 pm on Monday through Friday in July, the menu ($30 person) features an appetizer and dessert. A deeper “Taste of Gables’’ dinner is available for $45 per person. A Happy Hour menu is available from 5 pm to 10 pm on Monday through Thursday and 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday-Saturday.
For starters, definitely look at the Crudo de lomito (beef carpaccio),a tender cut of filet mignon marinated in Costa Rican coffee, topped with a house-made coffee oil extract and emulsion, and then ancestral seeds, watercress leaves, and a crumble of Honduran cheese.
The Seared Duck Breast with spiced mole and corn purée makes an excellent entree, as does the Braised Lamb Leg, herb gremolata and sauteed vegetables. Looking for seafood? Don’t pass on the Pan Seared Snappers.
Arcano’s quartet of Street Food handhelds hold their own (pardon the pun) against the main plates’ big flavors. The headliner among the handhelds is the Hamburguesa Arcano, an eight-ounce wagyu beef brisket patty served on a house-made roll infused with blackberries, then topped with hibiscus-kissed caramelized onions, shredded Oaxaca cheese, queso fresco, fresh watercress, and an outstanding house-made garlic aioli.
Flan de Maiz
The dessert Flan de Maiz – ,a creamy corn flan with caramel – exemplifies Arcano’s “expect the unexpected’’ passion for new twists on Latin cuisine.
Feature Photo: Caldoso de Calamar (Arcano)