42 Fusion, Ballston Spa, NY
Tino Lopez and Alicia Halse have launched their first culinary adventure: 42 Fusion, a Mexican and Italian fusion restaurant nestled in Ballston Spa, New York. Lopez, a seasoned chef who migrated from Mexico in 2006, and Halse, a local to Saratoga Springs, have successfully transmuted their dream into reality since the inception of the idea in January. The unique menu, featuring an eclectic mix of Mexican and Italian dishes such as tacos, Mexican Lasagna, gnocchi, and Chicken Milanese, is a testament to their ambition to step away from convention and be their "own boss."
Although still awaiting their liquor license, which is expected by mid-June, they plan to offer a full bar loaded with beer, wine, margaritas, and cocktails. The restaurant, housed at 42 Front Street in the former Sunset Café, which closed in 2021 after a decade, held its soft opening on May 22 and hopes to draw crowds from Saratoga and beyond for the grand opening. Read More
Aguilera's Authentic Mexican Food, Sodus, NY
Fabiola Aguilera, a native of Michoacán, Mexico, has been winning over food enthusiasts with her authentic Mexican cuisine at her restaurant in Sodus, New York, for half a decade. Her passion for cooking, instilled by her mother, sparked at a young age when she began making homemade tortillas in her early teens. Although she initially pursued a career in nursing, her desire to share her culinary heritage led her to switch paths and open Made in Mexico at the age of 26, which quickly gained recognition as a go-to spot for authentic Mexican food.
Seizing the chance to expand her gastronomic footprint, Aguilera opened a new location, Aguilera's Authentic Mexican Food, at 521 Monroe Ave, previously home to Sol Burrito, on May 31. The menu offers a vast array of traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos, tortas, huaraches, sopes, quesadillas, nachos, burritos, flautas, enchiladas, and papas locas, with a variety of meat options, all accompanied by her iconic homemade tortillas. Her signature dishes, like the enchiladas verdes and crispy flautas, are served in generous portions, embodying the warmth of Mexican hospitality. Read More
Chicago Empanada Mama
Inez Melendez, a lifelong resident of West Town, Chicago, has brought a slice of Puerto Rico to her neighborhood with the opening of her new café and bar, Chicago Empanada Mama. The venue, located at 1703 W. Chicago Ave., serves homemade empanadas, coffee drinks, rum cocktails, and other Puerto Rican delights. The empanada lineup includes the El Coqui, a blend of chicken and chorizo, and La Gallina, filled with red pepper, egg, and gruyere cheese, among others.
Melendez's culinary passion, inspired by her family, especially her mother Rosita, is reflected in her menu. The café, adorned with hanging plants, lights, and brightly colored art reminiscent of Aibonito, her father's hometown in Puerto Rico, is currently awaiting final paperwork for its liquor license. Once in place, Melendez plans to serve rum cocktails and offer tastings of various Caribbean rums, alongside locally sourced beer and Dark Matter Coffee. Read more here