Orinoco

Rating: 5 forks

Nestled on the corner of 477 Shawmut Street in Boston's South End, you'll find a little nook of a restaurant called Orinoco. Though the footprint is small - only about 600-700sq/ft, the experience is quite famous. The food is Venezuelan, marked by Latin spices like Adobo and chipotle, and dishes featuring sweet plantains, avocado, cilantro, manchego and even a little mojo.
Hungry yet? Or at the very least, intrigued?

The atmosphere is quite lively, with only about 10-15 tables, a small open kitchen, and no bar. Don't fret, though, you'll be sure to have a glass of wine or a cerveza in hand within minutes of arriving, which makes the (at times) lengthy (often standing) wait a little more palatable. Plus, it's really a fun place, with vibrant decor, and super friendly staff.

When you do finally get seated, I really think you can't go wrong with anything on the menu; and, every item is under 15 bucks! We chose appetizers of shrimp ceviche and a portabella mushroom arepa from the long list of specials featured on the inside flap of the dinner menu, and both were out of this world. Mike chose to go 3 for 3 on the specials list, and ordered-up a perfectly grilled rack of lamb, and a side of those oh-so-irresistible plantains. And I went straight for the Atún, adobo-rubbed tuna with frisse, radish and toasted calabaza seeds, I think the best tuna I have had in the city.

We have a new favorite dining spot, full of character, fun, and affordable international fare that breaks away from the somewhat monotonous menu themes that seem to be saturating this city. Fiesta!

Orinoco
Website
477 Shawmut Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02118
617.369.7075
or
22 Harvard Street
Brookline, Massachusetts 02445
617.232.9505

[image via]

Comments

[Megan]

We love this place too - we have never had a bad meal there