Why Venezuelan, I enterprise by means of idle chit-chat as I lean over-the-counter at La Bodega which is spherical a nook and down the hill, a wee bit anyway, from important drag Dennistoun.
“My spouse’s Venezuelan,” comes the reply from the person. “And she or he does all of the cooking.”
Ah, I say shifting on now to the menu above us and asking what flavour of Jarritos he would suggest.
“Hmm,” He replies. “I just like the Mandarin.”
A couple of minutes later I’m at a desk by the window with an ice chilly bottle of Mandarin Jarrito in a single hand and a chunky monkey bottle of Valentina Salsa Picante within the different.
Excessive fives all spherical for the meals (Picture: free)
The Jarrito’s taking this edge off the muggy climate which hangs low over the East Finish right this moment whereas the Valentina is giving an ay-caramba kick-ass edge to my Patacon. Or twice fried inexperienced plantain sandwich with pulled hen, cheese and aji, because you ask. There’s some sweetly spicy mojo, in fact, micro diced peppers and tomato, vinegar, onion and perhaps parsley, the smooshy, savoury-sharp tangs spooned onto the whole lot.
I’ve already taken a chew too from my first just-made empanada: a Molida with spiced mince; have torn as nicely a chunky chew from the Cachapa, or conventional corn pancake with cheese and am briskly eyeing up that Arepa which may be billed on the menu as “served chilly” however is pan-fresh from the, er, pan, all scorching and puffy corn-based dough, and crisply fried edges.
I’m regretting the Jarrito already, not as a result of it’s something however refreshing however as a result of all people else in right here is having much more fascinating drinks. Nicely, these two girls within the nook are anyway. They’re every supping multi-coloured many-layer issues in jars which I’m guessing are from the little bit of the menu I didn’t trouble to truly learn.
It’s labelled: FrÌo. Cocadas (coconut smoothie); Pina-Freas (Pineapple and strawberry smoothies), Papelon (hardened unrefined sugar and lime), Chica Venezolana (Creamy rice, milk, cinnamon) and extra. However then I used to be quickly blinded by a blizzard of latest meals info once I walked in that I simply wasn’t anticipating to search out off Duke Road.
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I took a seat beside 4 workmen and whereas they talked in regards to the soccer, handed the chilli sauce and rattled by way of empanadas earlier than paying up and heading out the door, I used to be nonetheless looking for one thing I wasn’t concerned with making an attempt.
Anyway. Transferring on. I’ve noticed the prepare dinner, she darted out from the kitchen with a few of these cute greaseproof-paper-lined baskets that carry the meals and I’m certain I heard somebody, perhaps her, say: the Mechada is again on.
That would be the brisket arrived then. Too late for me. My Mechada, one other of these freshly-made half-moon empanadas, contained juicy hen and peppery spices as a substitute.
Now, for an entire three minutes right here I should cease, get Mr Google out, contemplate heading again to the counter to take a look at the little glued-on cut-outs exhibiting what shapes Venezualan snacks are decided by, to know precisely what I’m consuming.
Empanadas are empanadas, clearly, lower than £3 every too. Sizzling, contemporary, crisp, hand-made superb. Did I point out the Reina Pepiada (£4), in that corn puffed, sure, it’s the arepa, filled with a lot hen mayo and avocado I’ve to take a piece out to cease it bursting at first chew.
Particular moments are devoted although to the Patacon. This can be my most stunning meals of the 12 months. It seems to be like a sandwich fabricated from French toast, but it surely’s not French Toast as a result of it’s er not toast in any respect. And it has the imprint of mashed, flattened, crisped and toasted plantain imprinted upon it. Truly, not toasted. Fried twice. I do know.
Plantain? Mr banana’s extra boring cousin, however in some way it isn’t boring. It tastes like fried bread, however not oily, it has the feel of fried bread, however not exhausting, and that is simply the skin of the sandwich. What a sandwich then.
Actually, what a restaurant. Not fancy, perhaps greater than somewhat plain Jane, however stuffed with surprises.
La Bodega, 98 Bellgrove Road, Glasgow, 07801 292603
Menu: Empanadas, canoas, capachas and the Papelon: Venezuelan avenue meals in a Dennistoun cafe. Excessive fives all spherical. 5/5
Service: Relaxed, pleasant counter service in what North Individuals would name a Mother and Pop cafe. 4/5
Ambiance: It’s a heat homespun place with solely a touch of its culinary roots, comfy sufficient 3/5
Worth: Empanadas from £2.70 as much as £2.95, Patacon £5.95, that Reina Pepiada simply £4. Massive discount territory. 5/5
Meals: That Patecon was the shock sandwich of the 12 months. The empanadas and arepas pan-fresh with all the advantages that brings. 8/10
25/30