I guess the Latin-Caribbean salsa dancing club, coffee shop, and restaurant concept wasn’t working for the folks at Café Salsera. Today, a news release announces the Deep Ellum restaurant is switching identities. Hence, they have hired a new chef and changed the menu focus. Armando Aguilar is now the head of the kitchen which will turn out New American cuisine. Armando, a Dallas native, has worked at CBD Provisions, Knife, and Dallas Country Club. He was also executive chef at the Hotel St. Germain and chef de cuisine at Bouchon 1314 in Oak Cliff.
According to the release, Armando is “most passionate about the New American cuisine concept.”
“I designed the Café Salsera menu with many of my favorite classic American dishes and then added a personal touch,” he says.
Here’s his vision:
Guests will be pleased to find a simple seasonal menu of crowd-pleasing starters, sides, main entrées, and desserts that are all stand-out dishes and reasonably priced under $25. Signature starters include the Tuna Tartare made with premium grade tuna, avocado cream, and homemade naan bread ($15) and the Tasting of Four Pork Bellies served on a steam bun and pickled ramps and chard stems ($20) are chef-recommended entrees. Leave room for a side of Smoked Man ‘n Cheese ($7) and a sweet dessert, such as the Strawberry Mousse with Sage Sorbet ($8). Several vegetarian options are also available, as well as a notable list of gourmet coffees and crafted cocktails and a weekend-only brunch menu.
Call me a nitpicker, but this reads like Millennial American. New American reminds me of tall food of the ’80s.
