• Venezuela •
Cilantro & Ajo
January Showcase
901 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Phone: (412) 432-5708 https://www.cilantroajo.com/ |
Owned by couple Marlyn Parra and Anthony Goncalves, Cilantro & Ajo is a Venezuelan restaurant located in South Side. Named after prime ingredients in Venezuelan food — cilantro and ajo (garlic) — the bright, colorful restaurant gives customers a taste of authentic Venezuelan street food. We had the pleasure to talk to Maryln who told us all about traditional Venezuelan food and culture and what led her and her partner to open the restaurant in Pittsburgh.
Food
The restaurant focuses on traditional Venezuelan street food. Their menu includes a variety of dishes, many of which would commonly be eaten at any time of day in Venezuela, depending on the fillings. For example, a savory arepa, such as one filled with chicken and cheese, would be served for lunch, and a sweet one, such as one filled with Nutella, would be more appropriate for breakfast.
The most popular dish at Cilantro & Ajo is the empanadas. These fried pockets of dough are packed with delicious ingredients such as chicken, plantains, cheese, and more. At other establishments, one or two empanadas might serve as an appetizer or a side dish, but at Cilantro and Ajo, two empanadas will leave you absolutely stuffed. They are massive and every bite will leave you wanting more. In addition to these, Parras informed us that the pabellón is the second most ordered dish at her restaurant. It consists of a plate of rice, beans, and shredded beef, and is covered with fried plantains.
Another signature menu item is the arepa. Arepas are characterized by a diverse number of ingredients stuffed in between white cornmeal patties. These ingredients may include various meats, cheeses, avocado, plantain, beans, and mayonnaise. The first picture shows La Rumbera Arepa, stuffed with pork and gouda cheese. The second is of the Reina Pepiada with a side of tostones--fried plantains topped with pink sauce and queso fresco. This arepa includes shredded chicken, avocado, and mayo stuffed between the cornmeal patties. The third is of the Pabellón Arepa, which contains all the ingredients of the traditional Pabellón plate stuffed into the patties. Customers can also choose to add gouda cheese, which is a popular ingredient within Venezuelan food. These arepas are a great way to introduce customers to a multitude of Venezuelan flavors and are delicious gluten-free meal options.