Arepas Café
This casual Venezuelan eatery serves inspired takes on the country's quintessential beach snack. Arepas are traditional Venezuelan sandwiches made with thick pan-fried corn tortillas stuffed with seasoned meat, cheese, black beans, plantains and grilled veggies. Owner Riccardo Romero left the upscale gourmet scene to start this laid-back café where the focus is the flavor and not the frills. In addition to the many arepas varieties, you'll also find pabellon criollo, Venezuela's national dish made of shredded beef, black beans and fried sweet plantains served over a bed of white rice and topped with aged white cheese. Arepas Café's signature San Cocho soup is also highly recommended. You can also order a refreshing pint of Polar, Venezuela's national beer.
Arepas Café
33-07 36th Ave.
Queens, NY 11106
(718) 937-3835
arepascafe.com
La Porteña
Enter the land of gauchos, tango and colossal steaks at this authentic Argentine restaurant in Jackson Heights. Argentine cuisine is known for being heavy on the beef and red wine, and La Porteña is no exception. Choose from dozens of skillfully prepared cuts of meat, including flank steak, short ribs and filet mignon. La Porteña is also a good place to sample some unusual meat delicacies like sweetbreads, blood sausage and tripe if you're so inclined. The convivial atmosphere and sensuous tango music will make you feel like you've been transported to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, where restaurants like this are found on every other street corner. If you can, save room for the homemade tiramisu.
La Porteña
7425 37th Ave.
Queens, NY 11372
(718) 458-8111
laportena-restaurant.com
El Anzuelo Fino
Peruvian food may be the latest trend in certain culinary circles, but there's nothing trendy about this exceptional family-run Peruvian restaurant in Jackson Heights. Originally located in Lima, Peru, El Anzuelo Fino arrived in Queens in 1998 with the idea of sharing traditional Peruvian recipes with a new audience. With its laid-back familiar atmosphere, El Anzuelo Fino delivers no-frills authentic Peruvian dishes like diced octopus with a creamy black olive sauce, coriander goat with rice and butter beans and, of course, fresh lime marinated ceviche. You'll also find other Peruvian treats like chicha morada, a purple fruit punch made from a corn base, and picarones, Peruvian-style doughnuts drizzled with homemade syrup.
El Anzuelo Fino
86-01 Northern Blvd.
Queens, NY 11372
(718) 426-8660
elanzuelofino.com
