Dec. 17 will mark the debut of the long-delayed Avenida (7402 Germantown Ave., 267-385-6857), a family friendly, budget-conscious Latin concept from husband-and-wife chef team Edgar and Kim Alvarez, who most recently ran Gladwyne's Delaware Market House, a gourmet takeout and catering operation.
The building was last home to Cresheim Cottage Cafe.
Their partner here is Wayne Zukin, a real estate developer and Mount Airy-ite.
There's a bar menu with fried calamari, tacos, quesadillas, black bean soup and Caesar salad, as well as a kid's menu designed by the couple's kids.
Main menu follows:
Soups/salads
black bean soup with crema $6
el biche (Ecuadorian bouillabaisse) $9
"The Latin Wedge" with fried green tomatoes, red onion, Cotija lime vinaigrette $7
Caesar salad with masa chili croutons, fried capers $7
Apps
queso fondido with black beans, chorizo, roasted poblanos $8
mole-glazed spare ribs with corn fritters, roasted pepper chipotle cream $9
grilled octopus with tequila-roasted tomatoes, garlic, hoja santa, avocado $9
fried calamari, onions, jalapenos with smoked tomatillo sauce $8
ceviche of the day $8
crispy tortilla chips with guacamole and dos salsas $6
Entrees
flat-iron steak with chimichurri, roasted potatoes, grilled scallions $17
roasted chicken mishote (chicken breast seasoned with chilis, steamed in a banana leaf) with leeks, peas, green beans, plantains $16
pepita and pistachio-crusted tuna with chirmol, steamed rice $19
vegetarian tamale with eggplant, tomato olive recado, spinach pastel $14
pork pibil with green mole, zucchini cheese pudding $16
ancho chili-dusted duck breast with canela sweet potatoes, sauteed watercress $19
seared red snapper with tomatillo salsa, sauteed vegetables, Spanish rice $18
anchiote grilled shrimp and scallops with fava beans, chayote, quinoa $19
Desserts ($6, though kid-size ice cream is $4)
coconut tres leches, lime sorbet, cilantro syrup
ancho brownie sundae, chocolate ice cream, cajeta, chocolate sauce
mango upside-down cake, caramel swirl ice cream
cinnamon crepes, roasted bananas, and rum syrup
chocolate dulce de leche tart, Nutella semifrio
Kahlua natilla, Mexican wedding cookies
apple canela crisp, vanilla ice cream