A Central American chef who has worked across the globe, as well as at some of the Coast’s best-known eateries, is opening his first restaurant.
Alejandro Soto fondly recalls the days growing up in his home town of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, where he would watch his mother prepare incredible Latino-inspired meals for her family, which included her husband and four hungry sons.
Inspired by her ability to use authentic Central American ingredients to create meals the whole community would savour, Alejandro went into a hospitality career that would take him to countries through South America as well as Switzerland, London, Ireland, Taiwan and China.
He moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2017 and, after cutting his teeth at well-known local establishments such as Rice Boi, Junk, Giddy Geisha and Lucio’s in Noosa, he is set to open his first ever restaurant at the former Drunken Dumpling site on Ocean Street, Maroochydore.
“I’ve called it Alma by Latinos. In Latin America, ‘Alma’ means ‘Soul’ so I want to combine some of the incredible traditional meals my mother made for our family and add in other inspirational dishes I have learnt from my time working in some incredible restaurants overseas,” he said.
“The menu will be a mix of piqueos (snacks) including empanadas as well as a range of hot and cold main meals including a stunning Peruvian salmon ceviche, veal marinated with pickled vegetables and a coconut-inspired Brazilian seafood stew.
“I’m confident there’s no other restaurant on the Sunshine Coast which will serve such authentic Latino-inspired meals. Anything slightly similar would be the Mexican franchise chains but I can assure diners we will be offering the most authentic dining experience with a unique twist on some classic dishes.”
Alma by Latinos will seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with the option of indoor/outdoor dining, from Wednesday to Sunday.
“Diners can expect a relaxed dining venue with cool Latino piped music along with some great artwork including a stunning wall mural by local artists Rythmicolour Collective as well as the benefit of table service and a full bar serving a great range of beverages including some Latino-inspired cocktails and wine,” he said.
“I want our guests to feel like they are at my mother’s home, a place where people can enjoy each other’s company in a cosy setting over authentic dishes and a nice drink while the world passes them by.”
For more information and to book a table click here.
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