Caracas Arepa Bar

• Cuisine(s): South American, Venezuelan
  Hours: Daily 12pm-11pm
  Price: $$
• Attire: Casual
  Features: Takeout, Delivery, Catering, Vegetarian Friendly
  Serving: Dinner, Lunch
• Reservations: Accepted, Not Necessary
  Parking: No Parking, Street

Description

The concept behind this adorable East Village hotspot is a mix of two classic Venezuelan dining models. Like an arepera, Caracas has a huge assortment of arepas ($2.25-$5), including basics, like "La Paisa," with just paisa cheese, heartier options, like "De Pabellón," with shredded beef, sweet plantains, black beans, and aged cheese, and creative inventions like "La Jardinera," and Italian-inspired combo of grilled eggplants, sundried tomatoes, caramelized onions, and guayanés, a creamy but firm white cheese. But, in the style of a taguarita, a roadside shack serving hot homemade meals, Caracas also has a few substantial entrees, like the Venezuelan national dish, Pabellón Criollo: white rice, black beans, shredded beef, and fried sweet plantains topped with a sprinkle of cheese. (LALLI)