Need help with an upscale Mexican/South American menu?

Question

I am in the process of opening a high end restaurant that is going to feature foods from Mexico and some items from South and Central America as well. It is going to be "Nuevo Latino" so to speak.

I know how to make all of the basic foods from said countries but I am wondering if anyone has any information on any dishes that are more on the "up scale" side? Or at least how I can make traditional "peasant" dishes more appealing to a high end clientele?

Any web sites or recipes would be very helpful. Thanks.

Answer 1

chili rellanos,carne asada,chicken and black bean enchiladas,roasted chilis tossed in anything is always good.shrimp fajitas are awesome.homemade guacamole is fantastic.use alot of colorfull sauces to make things look more upscale.cilantro adds alot of color and can replace parsley as a plate decoration.

Answer 2

Chef Douglas Rodriguez is famous for his "Nuevo Latino"

cuisine:

http://www.olamiami.com/

http://www.chefdouglasrodriguez.com/inde...

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http://www.novecento.com/

http://www.abchome.com/Restaurant1.aspx?...

http://www.lucyofgramercy.com/

http://www.calleochonyc.com/

http://www.paladarrestaurant.com/press.h...

Answer 3

menudo

flan

horchata

arroz con pollo

mole

carne asada

chile rellano

empanadas

mexican wedding cookies

Answer 4

Here's a link to an article in the Nation's Restaurant News... It's an awesome ezine...

I would suggest subscribing to a bunch of restaurant ezine's and try joining fohboh.com (it's like myspace for restaurateurs) roadfood.com and foodservice.com

there are lot's of qualified people there to give advice and suggest recipes.

I don't have an actual recipe for you but I suggest mainstreaming huevos con chorizo--- chorizo is a new ( i mean new-wave)  hot food item in the biz and it's my fav!

Answer 5

Nicaragua-style churassco is popular in high-end Latin American restaurants thanks to Michael Cordua.

Answer 6

I would say to use dishes with Plantains. Black beans and maybe cook some colorful rice and use Jasmin rice that has a floral taste- tip... soak the rice first in Jasmin tea, that really brings out the flavor. Other things could be like Shrimp in sour cream sauce, and Mojo de Ajo of course.  Cocktails are always a hit. Just add your own flares and make the food very appealing to look at, and colorful. Also like another person said have a few salsas to choose from-vary in spicyness-and thickness-as well as add a avacado to a salsa, make like a different new age guacamole. Last but not least, make a new Mole. Hope I haven given you a few ideas.