Outstanding Latin Cuisine in El Paso, Texas: Amar

In El Paso, Texas, you'll find an abundance of Mexican food and hamburgers. Amidst this rich culinary landscape, Amar stands out as a Latin-American restaurant that combines Mexican and Peruvian flavors to create a unique dining experience. Amar, meaning "to love," brings together the best of both cuisines on its adventurous menu. Starting your meal with the Ceviche Amar, which features mussels, octopus, shrimp, and mahimahi in leche de tigre with crispy calamari, is a delight. Follow it with the lomo saltado, a dish of beef tenderloin with french fries, tomatoes, and peppers, or the empanadas de maiz, filled with shrimp or spinach. The desserts, like guava cheesecake and alfajor with cajeta, and the fabulous patio will make you feel like you are on vacation.

My encounter with the Raffles hotel brand, which dates back to the 19th century, was relatively new. Recently, it has been experiencing a renaissance with new locations in London and Boston. Conveniently for us, we live about a 20-minute walk from the Boston Back Bay location. On friends' advice, we booked dinner for four at Amar, the new Portuguese-influenced restaurant from Michelin-star chef George Mendes. The experience was nothing short of spectacular.

Our first visit was for a big family dinner, and it exceeded all expectations. Our primary server, Michael, was attentive and made excellent recommendations, enhancing our dining experience. We shared scallops and Jamon Iberico, both superb. For appetizers, we had shellfish custard and quail, both outstanding. Our entrees were the cod "Gomes de sa" and Pekin Duck. The cod was perfectly seasoned and cooked, though I wished for more of the beautifully prepared potato. Liz loved the duck as well.

Upon entering the hotel, you are warmly greeted, making you feel special. A quick elevator ride to the 17th floor reveals an elegant winding staircase, a tranquil reading room, and the swanky Long Bar with an outdoor lounge area offering expansive views of the South End. It's worth arriving early to start your evening there.

Amar’s dining space is intimate, even with its high ceilings and large windows. The artistic arrangement of about twenty tables with partial booth seating accommodates various party sizes. The noise level is modest, thanks to the high ceilings, and the spacing between tables provides plenty of privacy.

Our second visit was for a best friend's 30th wedding anniversary, and once again, the service was impeccable. From the greeting to the drink orders, detailed menu walkthrough, wine suggestions, and spacing of courses, every aspect enhanced the meal. Starters included carabinero shrimp, warm pole bean and sweet corn salad with peaches, and salt cod croquettes. For the main courses, we had duck with risotto mixed with braised duck leg and chorizo, and lobster and monkfish with littleneck clams. Every dish was delicious and reasonably priced. My wife noted how well they cooked the fish, which can easily be overdone. After two perfect experiences, I can’t wait for my third visit. With bread to start and 1-2 drinks each, the cost was about $220 per couple, including tip. It's hard to find a more affordable meal from a Michelin-star chef in the U.S. We'll definitely be back, and I'll take my own advice by arriving early enough to enjoy a drink across the lobby before dinner.

Every experience is a harmonious symphony of incredible flavors, a figurative journey back to Asia, and a celebration of New England's seafood treasures. The impeccable service provided by our server, Maria, added to the overall excellence of the experience. When you're in El Paso, Texas and you're truly looking for something unique, Amar is worthy of your time and budget. An outstanding place to consider for an amazing dinner.

3100 N Mesa St, El Paso, TX 79902

(915) 613-5051

www.restaurantamar.com