Amazónico London’s new ‘Amazónico Asado’ weekend menu offers a sensory journey through Latin American cuisine, culture, and traditions in Mayfair.
Amazónico London is set to tantalise taste buds with its new ‘Amazónico Asado’ weekend lunch menu, launching on 14th September 2024.
This culinary journey promises to transport diners to the vibrant and diverse landscapes of Latin America, offering a feast for the senses that captures the essence of Amazonian cuisine.
A Gastronomic Adventure Through the Amazon
Amazónico, the award winning Latin American restaurant and bar in Berkeley Square, has always been known for its innovative approach to dining. With the launch of the ‘Amazónico Asado’ menu, available Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm, they are taking their commitment to real, flavourful food to the next level.
Group Executive Chef Vitelio Reyes, alongside his talented team, has curated a menu that celebrates the rich tapestry of flavours found throughout the Amazon region. This new offering is a testament to the cultural diversity and gastronomic heritage that has shaped the culinary landscape of Latin America.
Priced at £65 per person, the ‘Amazónico Asado’ menu is designed to be shared, encouraging a convivial dining experience reminiscent of traditional Latin American family gatherings.
This approach not only honours the social aspects of South American dining culture but also allows guests to sample a wide array of dishes, each telling its own story of the Amazon’s culinary traditions.
Nibbles to Nikkei: A Flavour Journey
The culinary adventure begins with a selection of appetising nibbles that set the stage for the feast to come. Diners are greeted with ‘Pão de Queijo‘, a Brazilian cassava bread that offers a comforting start to the meal.
This is accompanied by Amazónico’s signature ‘Guacamole’, a creamy concoction elevated by the addition of red chilli and crispy plantain, providing a perfect balance of textures and flavours.
As the meal progresses, guests are treated to some of Amazónico’s most beloved dishes from its international repertoire. The ‘Ensalada Amazónica’ is a vibrant composition featuring mango, avocado, confit tomato, and kalamansi citrus, offering a refreshing interlude that captures the tropical essence of the Amazon.
Another standout dish is the ‘Aguachile’, a Mexican-style stone bass ceviche that showcases the restaurant’s expertise in handling seafood. The delicate fish is complemented by a velvety avocado cream and a hint of jalapeño, creating a harmonious blend of flavours that dance on the palate.
In a nod to the significant Asian influences found in certain Amazonian regions, the menu includes a portion of ‘Maki del Chef’ from the Nikkei-inspired Sushi Counter.
This weekly-changing sushi selection emphasises the unique fusion of Japanese culinary techniques with Latin American ingredients, a testament to the diverse communities that have made the Amazon their home.
The Heart of the Feast: Parilla Mixta
The centrepiece of the ‘Amazónico Asado’ experience is undoubtedly the ‘Parilla Mixta’, a generous selection of shared grilled meats that pays homage to the South American tradition of asado. This course is a carnivore’s delight, featuring carefully sourced cuts that highlight the exceptional quality of Latin American produce.
Diners can indulge in ‘Picanha de Res’, a Brazilian-style grilled rump steak known for its rich flavour and tender texture. Alongside this, the ‘Picanha de Cordero’ offers a lamb variation on this popular cut, showcasing the versatility of the picanha preparation method.
For those who prefer poultry, the ‘Picanton Caipira’ presents a coriander-marinated baby chicken, infused with aromatic herbs that evoke the lush greenery of the Amazon. Completing the meat selection is ‘Chancho’, a succulent crispy pork belly that adds a delightful crunch to the ensemble.
These expertly grilled meats are accompanied by a selection of side dishes that complement the robust flavours of the parilla. ‘Broccoli y Zanahoria’ provides a fresh, vegetable counterpoint, while the ‘Ensalada Mixta’ offers a crisp, palate-cleansing option. A recent addition to the menu, ‘Mazorca’, features grilled sweet corn enhanced with a panca chilli butter, adding a touch of smoky spice to the spread.
Sweet Endings: A Trio of Desserts
No meal is complete without a sweet ending and the ‘Amazónico Asado’ menu delivers with a trio of desserts that sum up Latin American desserts.
The meal concludes with bite-sized ‘Brigadeiros’, a selection of traditional Brazilian chocolate truffles that offer a rich, indulgent treat.
These are paired with Amazónico’s signature ‘Piña Rostizada’, a roasted caramel-glazed pineapple served atop a corn cake and accompanied by refreshing coconut sorbet, providing a tropical twist on the classic pineapple upside-down cake.
A new addition to the dessert lineup is the intriguing ‘Jari’, which features a white pepper ganache complemented by orange gel and chamomile ice cream. This innovative dessert showcases the kitchen’s ability to balance unexpected flavours, creating a memorable end to the culinary journey.
A Feast for the Senses: Beyond the Food
While the food takes centre stage, the ‘Amazónico Asado’ experience is designed to engage all the senses. The restaurant’s lush, jungle-inspired décor, conceived by internationally renowned artist Lázaro Rosa-Violan, transports diners to the heart of the Amazon.
Natural materials such as wood and terracotta are artfully combined with verdant live plants, creating an immersive environment that complements the culinary offerings.
The auditory experience is equally important, with a carefully curated soundtrack that evolves throughout the day. During lunch service, diners can expect to hear the smooth rhythms of Bossanova and Latin American-inspired jazz, providing a sophisticated backdrop to their meal.
As the day progresses into the evening, the atmosphere shifts, with the lounge and bar area pulsating to energetic ‘elec-tropical’ beats, a unique blend of electronic music with Latin American influences.
The Makers of the Menu
The ‘Amazónico Asado’ menu is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Sandro Silva and Marta Seco, the creative forces behind the Amazónico concept. Silva, drawing inspiration from his Brazilian roots, has long been passionate about showcasing the diversity of Latin American cuisine.
Seco, serving as Creative Director, brings her keen eye for design and atmosphere to the table, ensuring that every aspect of the dining experience is carefully considered.
Silva comments on the concept: “Amazónico is a journey, a trip down the Amazon river through Brazil, Colombia, Peru. The rich culinary heritage of the region has influences from Japan, China and India, which makes it unique.
The Amazon is more than a river, it connects people, cultures and traditions. This, together with an homage to nature, is at the core of our concept.”
Seco adds: “London is one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the world, with a really exciting and thriving restaurant scene, so when we talked about taking Amazónico out of Madrid and putting it on the international stage, it had to be London. Like the Amazon, London is home to an abundance of cultures and lifestyles which mirrors the origins of the concept. Our mission is to make every visit unique and different, with Latin American emotion and passion at its core bringing our energy to the square – there’ll be music, performance, fantastic food and great company.”
Booking the Amazónico Asado Experience
The ‘Amazónico Asado’ menu, priced at £65 per person, will be available from 14th September 2024, every Saturday and Sunday between 12 pm and 4 pm. Given the anticipated popularity of this new offering, booking is essential and can be made by contacting reservations@amazonico.co.uk.
For a more intimate occasion, Amazónico London has a 22 seater rainforest inspired private dining room perfect for special occasions or corporate events. Or for a more casual experience, guests can sit at the Nikkei sushi counter and watch the chefs at work.
As Amazónico London prepares to launch this exciting new chapter in its culinary journey, it invites Londoners and visitors alike to embrace the South American tradition of leisurely weekend feasts. The ‘Amazónico Asado’ promises not just a meal, but a voyage through the flavours, sounds, and spirit of Latin America, all within the bustling heart of Mayfair.
