Ceviche TastingHot From The Kettle doesn't stray from Montclair too often. But when we do, we have good reason! Patria Restaurant and Mixology Lounge in Rahway is our out-of-town and out-of-sight pick!
Co-owners of Patria, Edwin Gomez and Fabian Huerfano, have teamed up with renowned, veteran chef, Andrew DiCataldo. Together, they have a created a definitely decadent restaurant, where trendy up-lighting meets dark wood and candlelight. The cuisine, dubbed nuevo Latino, is inventive and exciting, but never sacrifices it's Latin American culinary roots; it's new, yet somehow familiar.
Seafood Fide
Patria’s Chef DiCataldo has mastered the balance between plating aesthetics and gastronomic satisfaction. Masterful riffs on classic Spanish dishes like Pariguela ($10) a seafood stew of tomato, Peruvian corn, clams, calamari, octopus, shrimp and mussels, as well as Seafood Fideos ($23) featuring Shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams and mussels sautéed with toasted thin noodles and saffron red pepper sofrito. For the meat lover, a masterfully sauced Churrasco ($23) marinated grilled skirt steak with red chili-parsley chimichurri, roasted beet salad, Peruvian blue potatoes, mushroom, onions, and demi-glace.
Want more pics of the fabulous food? Check out the Gallery!
Watch the video for a chat with Chef DiCataldo and a tour of Patria.
And the cocktails? They pack major sabor! Mixologists are creating artisanal cocktails, reasonably priced at $10, like Strawberry Cilantro Margarita with Milagro Tequila, Cherry Tomato Gimlet with Double Cross Vodka, cherry tomatoes, and lime juice, and the Drunken Rabbit with Leblon cachaca, Cointreau, carrot juice, sliced bell peppers, and lemon juice. Patria is also mixing up the classics like Caipirinha with Leblon Cachaca, and my personal favorite, Dark & Stormy, with Gaslings Dark Rum, Homemade Ginger Beer, lime juice, and fresh ginger. Patria also offers an extensive wine list.
Patria – 169 West Main St., Rahway, NJ 07065