Latin American Cuisine Finds a New Home in Westchester with Opening of Cienega Restaurant

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- New Rochelle's restaurant scene makes way for a fresh addition. Cienega, the second venue from owners Pedro Munoz and Vivian Torres, boasts both visual and tasteful Latin American delights like its predecessor Luz, which is still going strong in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Jorge Adriazola, former executive chef of Sushi Samba, Chicama, Pipa, Calle Ocho and former sous chef of Douglas Rodriguez's phenomenally successful Patria, holds reign over Cienega's kitchen. Capturing flavors from Peru, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela, Adriazola takes you on a first class ticket to Latin America. His menu paves an enrapturing road across the subcontinent and the Caribbean. Some of his best work is presented in the combination of the ceviches and tiraditos, which are both fun and refreshing. For entrees try the lubina, a wild stripe bass crusted with sweet plantains, served with a lobster escabeche and mofongo. Another hit, the delectable lamb chops, grilled and glazed with sugar cane rum, are accompanied by a malanga (taro root) goat cheese mash and lamb picadillo croquette; a true fiesta of flavors to tingle the palate.

Enticing entrees aren't the only noteworthy elements of Cienega's menu. An exquisite dessert menu has been created by pastry chef Bruni Bueno of Rayuela, Macondo, Lucy Latin Kitchen and Douglas Rodriguez's Ola. Her specialty, the Brazo Gitano, a rolled sponge cake filled with dulce de leche (Latin America's milk caramel) and served with spiced rum berries, is happy proof of a well-crafted and balanced dessert. The deconstructed key lime pie, a would be favorite of French philosopher Jacques Derrida, is a playful display of meringue, cream, crumb coated ice cream and pastry cookie. Any and all of the desserts are a perfect finale to an array of entrees.

Specialty cocktails, like the Esperanza, a pear mint martini, or the Baron Rojo, a perfect concoction of black currant, rum and anise, compliment the food. Other classics like the mojito, caipirinha, pisco sour, sangria and an international wine list, with an emphasis in the regions of South America, California, and Spain, balance out the options.

Similar to Luz, Cienega presents a dramatic architectural space. The owners make good use of their academic training--both with architecture degrees from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. "The build out took a year, but we are so pleased with the final product that we would want all of our architecture professors to come and take a look; they will be proud," says owner Vivan Torres. And surely they will be; the space is just astonishing. A limestone wall, which is the feature element of the space, divides the kitchen from the dining area. It provides a sense of monumentality with its beautiful cascade of light and texture. A cut-out window in the stone allows a peek into the white tiled pristine kitchen and the world of Chef Jorge Adriazola.

With its modern design, outstanding cuisine and overall atmospheric appeal, Cienega is sure to become a gem of lower Westchester County.

To celebrate its opening, Cienega is offering new patrons a complimentary mouth-watering empanada tasting plate, or a glass of their signature sangria. To take advantage of this limited-time promotion, please mention the code phrase "4 cienegas" to your server on your next visit! Promo expires October 28, 2010.

Cienega is located at 179 Main Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801. Phone is 914-632-4000. It is open for dinner 7 days. Hours of operation are Sunday - Wednesday 5pm to 10pm, Thursday - Saturday 5pm to 11pm. Brunch and lunch are coming soon. Full bar. All major credit cards are accepted, and free indoor parking is available. For more information, please visit www.cienegarestaurant.com or email [email protected].

CienegaRestaurant is located at 179 Main Street in New Rochelle, NY and specializes in Latin American cuisine.

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SOURCE Cienega Restaurant