Now, with vibrant colors, Latin-styled art, salsa music, a beautiful bar with all the elixirs needed for domestic and Caribbean favorites, Area 337 is — simply put — hot and saucy. The menu will entice. Kan Kan pork chops, a Puerto Ricaninspired dish, has caught many diners' attention as well it should. When the large plate of fried pork loin chop (strap of belly and the skin still attached) comes to the table with a serving of mofongo and fried plantains, a person will realize pork is appreciated on the islands. Garden's staff also prepares a Venezuelan staple dish called Pabellon Criollo which is shredded beef served with rice and black beans and fried plantains. This dish finds its way to many customers after they see it in other patrons' tables. The churrasco (grilled skirt steak) is one of the restaurant's favorite plates. So much so that Garden has steadily ordered more skirt steak each week since the eatery opened earlier this year. A staple base in the soups, stews and sauces prepared at Area 337 is sofrito (a combination of cilantro, garlic and fresh tomatoes). The natural ingredients in this sauce bolster the flavor of the final dishes. Garden, his wife Yuliana, and his mother Rhina Rosado all lead the efforts of the restaurant staff. Their intentions are to make sure the flavors of their Latin heritage are shared on the plate and in the service provided. “You will feel like you're eating in the Caribbean,” said Garden. “A lot of our work is influenced by the food my grandmother used to cook in the Dominican Republic.”. ■
60
ACADIANA PROFILE
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
(left) Flan is one of the Latin world's favorite desserts. The mildly sweet and creamy custard creation at Area 337 is flavored with vanilla. (top, right) Area 337 owner Gus Garden walked away from an industrial career to follow his heart and dream to open a restaurant to provide Southwest Louisiana residents a culinary introduction to the Latin and Caribbean world. His restaurant features dishes from Columbia, Honduras, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Gustav's restaurant has survived a pandemic and storms. (bottom) Garden's opened Area 337 with the intention of crafting a restaurant atmosphere where patrons and staff feel like family members.
