| Since The Conga Room (109 - 8 Ave. S.W.; phone 262-7248) opened two years ago, it has quickly become the hot Latin spot in town, attracting hip locals and celebrities like Diego Luna, Keri Russell, Mini-Me (Verne Troyer) and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Indeed, the rustic bar, which runs half the length of the 3,000-square-foot restaurant, becomes a lively perch at cocktail hour. "Best Mojitos," proclaimed enRoute magazine in 2003. With white rum, soda, fresh limes, just the right amount of sugar and lots of fresh mint leaves, the mojito is fabulous and refreshing ($7.48). Hailing from Cuba, the mojito was a favourite of Hemingway, who liked to further indulge himself by adding Dom Perignon to the mixture. Also delicious is the bar’s signature drink, The Conga, made with white and dark rum, sparkling wine cocktail, guava and passion fruit shaken over ice ($7.48).
Housed in a historic 1888 brick building, The Conga Room exudes a feeling of Old World charm. The multicoloured tile tabletops, the terra cotta and sienna stucco walls, the azure skylight and the pictures of cigars and Che Guevara transport you to another time, another place. Banquette seating with throw cushions skirts the stage and dance floor, a scene of electric activity all week long.
Brothers and owners Alejandro and Orlando Morante were born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in Venezuela and Ecuador. After finishing their master’s degrees at the University of Calgary, they decided to open up a restaurant and infuse it with the flavours, colours, music and vibe of South America. Cooking by French technique and playing with authentic South American dishes and flavours to appeal to the North American palate, the brothers offer Nuevo Latino cuisine. At the centre of this global commingling is Chinese-Venezuelan chef William Cheng.
For dinner, we ordered several tapas, starting with a side of tostones ($5). Served with a lime-cumin salsa, the pounded, crispy plantain chips are a fun alternative to the predictable tortilla chips and salsa – however, a bigger ramekin of salsa is needed. The lentil and plantain soup spiced with ginger and cumin ($6) was warm and comforting on the rainy night that we visited.
Next came the mildly spiced chorizo, sautéed with onions, bell peppers and chili ancho in a sweet tomato sauce ($10). The vegetarian quesadillas ($10) were a medley of celery, zucchini, onion, bell peppers, chilis and cheese, and needed more pizzazz, like a sharper cheese or a spicier kick. The clear favourite of the night were the garlic- and turmeric-sautéed prawns, which had a pleasant, smoky flavour and were served in a delightful mango coulis ($12). My only real complaint was that our server abandoned us halfway through our meal.
The dinner menu features churrasqueria (grilled beef, chicken and ribs), as well as adobo- and cumin-rubbed pan-seared strip loin, grilled swordfish with a Matusalem rum and coconut reduction, and back ribs finished with a tamarind and garlic glaze.
If you’ve been hit by Latin dance fever, The Conga Room presents salsa, Cuban and tango lessons Monday through Wednesday nights, twice Grammy-nominated musician Emilio Rios on Thursday, and more live entertainment Friday and Saturday. A member of the Grammy academy for the past four years, Alejandro holds contests in which a few lucky winners get to attend the Grammy, Latin Grammy and Billboard Latin Music Awards. Now that’s cool.
I thought I spied Ray Liotta on my way out, but in the restaurant’s sultry lighting I couldn’t be sure. |
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