the arepa

Tim and I tried a little something new with our most recent dinner out. Since Boston is hurting for good Mexican restaurants, we made our way to Orinoco — a Latin American kitchen — in Brookline Village. If you want to taste a little bit of heaven, you will go there immediately and order their datiles (bacon wrapped, almond-filled dates). I will probably be dreaming about those things for months to come. I ordered an arepa for my meal, which is a traditional Venezuelan sandwich made in a grilled corn pocket. The various arepas on the menu were pretty basic (mine consisted of mojo-marinated pork and few tomato slices) so I opted to add on some tasty Venezuelan handmade cheese for an extra $1. (I think it was technically a little over a dollar, but close enough.) Best of all was the incredible dipping sauce, which was some combination of lime, cilantro, garlic, and who knows what else. I wanted to drink it, but resisted so I’d have enough for my sandwich.

Tim went carnivore crazy and ordered the parrilla caraqueña, which arrived on a pretty bamboo platter and was loaded with marinated chicken, strip steak, chorizo, guasacaca, and yucca frite. I don’t think I’d say Venezuelan food is my new favorite, but I did leave Orinoco feeling pretty happy. And I’m wondering what they’d think if I swung by there one night and requested an order of datiles to go…

Tagged: arepa, Brookline Village, Orinoco, restaurant