whose experiences with Latin food fall
Wilmington’s Little Italy is a misnomer when it comes to cuisine. Obviously diners have their pick of places that take pride in their red gravy, but other options abound, including Latin Fusion Restaurant & Lounge.
Owner Rebecca Gomez co-owned the Dominican Café for five years with her father before opening Latin Fusion in February, with a grand opening in May.
Gomez said the new eatery allows for a mix of influences, especially with chef Manuel Orbe’s Dominican background and Spanish culinary education.
Another influence on the eatery? Family.
Not only does Gomez say she and her family help each other out at their respective restaurants, but the idea is that diners are family as well.
“They’re very family oriented even if you’re not part of the family,” said Chris Ridgley, head server. “Please share, enjoy – that’s what we’re all about.”
That communal atmosphere extends throughout the restaurant. Staff members are responsive and inviting, and nearby diners were chatting with their server about a mutual acquaintance.
Downstairs, tables are set up with white tablecloths and light from the extensive windows floods the room – a setting one would expect in a restaurant dining room. Upstairs, however, the exposed brick wall,linux dedicated server, heavy drapes and eclectic seating feels more like a personal space than a restaurant.
As diners whose experiences with Latin food fall somewhere in the moderate range, we played it safe and ordered menu favorites: chicharron de pollo y tostones, or fried chicken with Latin seasoning and plantain chips ($7), and the Mezcla Latina, a sampler that, depending on the size (for two, $14, or four, $20), includes mini empanadas, seasoned fried chicken, fish nuggets and other seasonal options; when ordering, ask the server what might be included.
Americans used to having everything de-boned should be cautious that the chicharron has small bones, which our server warned us about. The nuggets, fried to a sharp crisp, were a tad tough, but flavorful. The tostones, or plantains, are fried, mashed then re-fried, the Latin equivalent of french fries. Some were chewier than others, some crispier, and some more in need of salt.
Little girls love fancy teas, so it was with great pleasure that my granddaughter, Skylar, and I accepted an invitation to attend one of the weekly Harborside Teas at the Community of Jesus in Orleans. The two-course teas are held in the beautiful Bethany Guest House in a room full of windows with views of the water. We were seated at a lace-topped table for two in front of a china cabinet filled with intriguing vintage glassware.
Before long we were sampling some delicious raspberry tea. Later we tried the lemonade and the Sisters' secret recipe iced tea, a slightly sweet and fruity offering that was a perfect beverage for a hot afternoon.
For our first course, we were served a beautiful plate filled with elegant finger foods. There was a darling glass cup of chilled watermelon ginger mint soup that we both loved. Skylar's favorite sandwich was a triangular shaped chicken salad sandwich with bacon, lettuce and tomato. I loved the mini roast beef slider made on a homemade poppy seed bun. It had a lovely wedge of brie, a cucumber slice and some red leaf lettuce.
There was also a small wonton cup filled with cream cheese and topped with a grilled shrimp marinated in a chili lime sauce and a cherry tomato stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar and bacon. Everything was delightful.
After lunch our very friendly server brought out a beautifully arranged dessert tray so we could choose from four pretty confections. Skylar couldn't resist the Pavlova topped with mixed berries, kiwi and lemon cream. I opted for the Limoncello cheesecake with fresh berries. Both were superb.
Once we were finished with dessert, we were invited to walk over to the Church of the Transfiguration for a tour of the sanctuary and an organ demonstration. Skylar loves art of all kinds, so she thought the church building was beyond beautiful, but it was the organ that fascinated her most.
Organist and artist-in-residence SharonRose Pfeiffer gave a talk and demonstration of the E.M. Skinner pipe organ. The organ is a museum quality restoration of an organ originally built by Nelson Barden & Associates in Boston. The restoration includes an expansion with components from 17 E.M. Skinner organs. When it's completed, it will have more than 12,000 pipes.
Pfeiffer encouraged the members of the audience to walk around the sanctuary as she played so we hear how the organ sounded from different points in the church. It was magnificent. When she was finished playing, she invited audience members to the weekly "Brown Bag" lunch and free concert held each Thursday at noon. The half hour concert is free and you are welcome to bring your own lunch or buy one on site for $8.
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