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In the mood for Mexican, Argentinian and Ecuadorian? No problem. Eats.com's Erin Frankel came across the new Nolita spot that delivers it all. Check out her take on Oficina Latina.
Oficina Latina, one of the more interesting openings in the new shabby
chic Nolita environs, has replaced Nikki Cascone’s now-deceased 24
Prince. Italians Paolo Votano and Francesco Sforza’s Latin American
joint is quite the oxymoron, originating with the name. Oficina Latina
literally means “Latin Office,” but this urban shabby-chic-meets-industrial space is anything but corporate.
The vintage-inspired white
washed beams, brocade wallpaper, rustic tables, and floral upholstered
seating invites a cozy, intimate vibe. The miscellaneous furniture Paolo
and Franscesco scoured at the Brimfield Antique Show crafts an eclectic
tone that pleases both the lively and the romantic. You will find large
boisterous groups seated at long wooden tables close to the bar, and
intimate dates in the back at small candle-lit tables or curled up on
one of the comfy, pretty couches by the fireplace.
The menu is a hodgepodge too with small dishes summoned from different
Latin American countries. Chef Abraham Trinidad links each tapas with
its country of origin. Some must-haves on the menu include the sautéed
shrimp from Chile; the crispy, spicy grilled octopus from Ecuador; the
Arepas from Venezuala; the white rice with spicy pork and bacon topped
with a sunny side up egg from the Dominican Republic; the grilled
imported provolone cheese from Argentina; and the meatballs from Mexico.
The Latin American inspiration also translates to the extensive rum and
tequila collection. Former bartender Paolo Votano constructed a
pan-Latin cocktail list that includes over 100 different varieties of
rum and tequila and delicious (and incredibly strong) seasonal
cocktails. Currently on tap is the ginger lychee mojito,
ginger/tangerine margharita and the passion fruit cipriana.
Overall, this new Latin American tapas joint is the perfect mélange for
any temper, flavor and size.
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