The Forasteros restaurant in Playa Honda, set in the American Wild West and which combines Tex-Mex dishes with authentic Mexican cuisine, celebrates its first anniversary since its opening this September 15.
Two of its partners, the couple formed by Johann Paul Henao and Emma Leung, explain in an interview with the radio program Más de Uno Gourmet of Radio Lanzarote how the project came about and what their star dishes are.
- How did the idea of starting a gastronomic project come about?
Johann: The idea came about a year and a half ago when we were returning from a trip to Colombia and this Sunday, September 15, we celebrate a year since we opened.
- What is Forasteros?
Emma: Forasteros is a compendium of influences that the four of us have had, of flavors that we have lived and experienced in other parts of the world. I would say that it is a fusion halfway between Tex-Mex and Mexican food.
- How is the public reacting to your proposal?
Johann: Every day we receive very good reviews of all the dishes. We made two or three menus with twenty-odd people who, after trying the dishes, were free to say what they liked and what they didn't. That's how we finalized the menu, and we were able to fine-tune the dishes a lot.
How was the name and setting of the Wild West chosen?
Johann: I'm to blame (laughs). I've always had something with the west, with my grandfather in Colombia on Sundays we watched Wild West movies. At first it was going to be called outlaws, but we couldn't register the name and luckily because I hear strangers now and I think it fits better with what we wanted.
- What is the star dish?
Emma: There are several, depending on what you want to eat, if it's a hamburger, the sheriff takes the star. If you want to snack on something with someone, then I would say the crazy clay (French fries, chili with meat, crispy bacon, melted cheese, aioli, mustard and pineapple sauce).
Johann: Or the nachos, people who go to the restaurant say they are the best nachos they have ever tasted on the island. You can also eat ribs, which fall apart, tacos... We have a lot of variety.
- Where is the restaurant and what are its hours?
We are located at Calle San Borondón number 55, next to the hardware store in Playa Honda. The hours are limited, because we all have a separate job, but before opening the door people are already outside waiting to enter. We open from Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., while on Fridays and Saturdays we open one hour more, until 11:30 p.m.