El Rincon’s flan.
Photos courtesy of El Rincon
The Westchester County restaurant shares Colombian and Latin specialties like arepas and chicharron with the community.
“Rincon” means “corner” in Spanish, and, fittingly, the restaurant is in the historical Dramatic Hall building (c. 1838) on a busy Main Street corner across from the City Hall and near the library.
El Rincon Colombiano diners are greeted with a friendly host and festive sounds of Latin pop music.
The husband-and-wife team of Jaime and Johana Arango opened the restaurant to share their favorite Latin American dishes, especially Colombian — a scarcity in this part of Westchester. They also wanted to attract non-Hispanics, and the menu reflects their cross-cultural strategy.
Latin favorites such as ceviche and empanadas sit alongside burgers and fettucine on a bilingual menu. A drink list emphasizes margaritas, including the potent Bulldog — featuring a small, tipped bottle of Corona — and Colombian rum-style drinks, plus standards like martinis and American beers.
“We opened El Rincon Colombiano to bring in both the American people and the Spanish people,” Arango says. “So we have things like steaks and hot dogs for the Americans.”
The appetizers are a must as a delivery system for El Rincon’s fresh, zesty guacamole. Hearty-yet-light patacones (smashed green plantains) or arepas are perfect accompaniment to the avocado triumph. Don’t forget to order a side of chicharron.
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And speaking of chicharron, the salty, crispy addictive pork delicacy (from the belly of the beast) is the star of the show in Bandeja Paisa, the most popular dish at El Rincon. The ample “wait, there’s more” traditional meal of Colombia, it’s comprised of a trio of meats — chicharron, spicy chorizo, and grilled steak — plus a fried egg, avocado, sweet plantains, a corn cake, and, of course, rice and beans.
El Rincon’s version of Bandeja Paisa usually comes served with a tiny, toothpick Colombian flag planted in the rice.
“Everyone comes here to have Bandeja Paisa,” Arango says. “It’s the number one dish that we’re selling. It’s the national dish of Colombia — that’s why we put the flag in it.”
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Grilled salmon with vegetables, featuring a house-made sauce, is also popular. Tacos, quesadillas, and creative salads, plus a perfectly creamy flan covered in a clear caramel sauce round out the menu.
As for the space, there’s the main dining room or one of three smaller dining rooms with four tables each. A two-sided bar invites cocktail sipping or waiting for friends.
900 Main St, Peekskill
914.402.1958
