July 28, 2010, Philadelphia Magazine — We are thrilled to announce that this week Avenida Restaurant was awarded the 2010 Best Kids Menu by Philadelphia Magazine.
At Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly 2010” celebration last week, we celebrated this incredible honor with Philadelphia dignitaries such as Mayor Michael Nutter (click Read More to see that photo), and the other Best of Philly winners. It was a blast!
Click here to see the dishes that kids all over Philadelphia have been raving about.
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July 25, 2010, The Philadelphia Inquirer — “When the economy came crashing down in 2009, it brought Kim and Edgar Alvarez’s crab cakes with them – at least for a moment,” writes Inquirer Restaurant Critic Craig LaBan in today’s Philly.com Food.
He continues: Those cakes were among the signature items at the couple’s former prepared foods store, the Delaware Market House in Gladwyne. But once the recession prompted enough Main Liners to start cooking more for themselves, the Alvarez’ business, which thrived on small pleasures like fresh chicken salad and sirloin broil, suddenly went “completely off the deep end,” says Kim.
It was a sorry moment for Gladwyne take-out addicts, perhaps, but has turned into a boon for Mount Airy, where the resilient Alvarezes have resurfaced with Avenida, a Latin-inspired neighborhood restaurant well-cast for a neighborhood that can use all the good flavors it can muster.
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We are excited to announce that our first Sunday Brunch was incredibly successful. We invite you to come in and try some of our savory, original dishes that are sure to make the whole family happy.
For starters: There is a delicious Caesar Salad with masa croutons and fried capers, Fruit Salad, Gazpacho, Papusas with tomato sauce and curtido, Queso Fondido (vegetarian style, too), Spring mix salad _with queso fresco, jicima, strawberries, mango vinaigrette, and Tequila lime cured salmon with cilantro potato cakes — each $10, or less.
Our selection of brunch dishes includes: Capirotada Mexican Bread Pudding with honey butter and Zacapa syrup, Chilaquiles with green mole, fried eggs, queso fresco, crema, Frittata Del Dia with home fried potatoes, Grilled Chicken Torta with fried green tomatoes, avocado, bacon and salsa, Huevos Rancheros Tostadas with warm potatoes and refried black beans, and Zucchini Cheese Pastel with Spring Mixed Salad — each $12, or less.
For the kids: Scrambled Eggs with bacon, home fries and tortillas, for $7.
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April 19, 2010 — Now that spring has sprung, we invite you to come in and celebrate by enjoying a refreshing margarita. They are just $5 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Our Secret Recipe: Avenida Margaritas
Our bartenders Kevin and Kylie have a passion for Margaritas and mix up the meanest version we’ve tasted, starring fresh lime juice. Stop by to try this incredible concoction, but before you do try it yourself at home so you can compare. Cheers!
What you’ll need:
4 oz. tequila • 1 oz. Triple Sec • 2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice • 1 oz. simple syrup • 1 cup crushed ice
Here’s how: Pour all ingredients into a shaker. Dance around the kitchen. Pour. Makes 2 servings.
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April 17, ABC News — Check out the 5-minute report that ABC News Channel 6 did on hot new businesses in town — including one of the best Latin American restaurants to open in 2010: Avenida, in Mt. Airy, PA.
The cameras went inside Avenida’s kitchen and watched as Chefs Kim and Edgar prepared some of their signature appetizers: Grilled Baby Octopus with Tequila Roasted Tomato Sauce, Garlic and Avocado and Queso Fondito.
“I was trained at the Culinary Institute of America, so I tend to cook by the book,” explains Chef Kim. “And I went to cooking school every day of my life as I watched my mother, aunts and grandmother prepare a meal for our entire family — dozens of people who ate three times a day in our home in Guatemala,” shares Chef Edgar.
Watch the segment here (click to 3:31 on the timer to see Kim and Edgar on TV).
Click here to watch Chef Edgar prepare Pan Seared Red Snapper with Tomatillo Salsa, Sautéed Vegetables and Spanish rice on the MyFoxPhilly Morning Show.
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March 11, 2010, Chestnut Hill Local — “According to a recent CNN Money article, more than 45,000 businesses closed their doors for good in 2009, including some that survived for more than a century,” writes reporter Len Lear in a profile about Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy’s newest Latin American restaurant, Avenida.
“The article profiled six century-old businesses in various parts of the country that were victimized last year by the economic hard times,” he explains. “One of those businesses placed under the microscope was the Delaware Market House, a gourmet food market and catering operation in Gladwyne. You might think that Gladwyne, the wealthiest community in the entire Delaware Valley where million-dollar homes are as common as pasta in an Italian restaurant, would be immune from the vagaries of the economy. But you’d be wrong.”
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Philadelphia Magazine, February 25, 2010 — “The historic Cresheim Cottage has a tasty new Latin flair,” said Philadelphia Magazine restaurant reviews of Avenida Restaurant.
The explained:
Husband and wife chefs Edgar and Kim Alvarez have turned the historic Cresheim Cottage into a modern, friendly Latin American eatery. It’s the kind of place where a woman at the table next to you leans over and gushes, “Ohhh, is that the calamari? It looks delicious.” And it is.
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MyFoxPhilly Morning Show, February 1 — Latin food was celebrated on the Fox Morning Show this week when anchor John Anderson welcome Avenida’s Chef Edgar Alverez.
“They are chefs, restaurateurs and husband and wife! Edgar and Kim Alvarez opened Avenida Restaurant in Mount Airy last fall and were gracious enough to stop by Good Day to share some favorite recipes,” Anderson said.
Chef Edgar then prepared Pan Seared Red Snapper with Tomatillo Salsa, Sautéed Vegetables and Spanish rice. “Watch this delicious cooking segment here.”:http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/good_day_philadelphia/good_day_food/monday’s-menu%3A-flavorful-latin-food%21
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JANUARY 4, 2010 — In an article featured on the homepage of CNN Money today, reporter Elizabeth Montalbano wrote about “100-year-old businesses we lost in 2009,” explaining: “More than 45,000 businesses closed their doors for good in 2009, including some that survived for longer than a century.” One of the six U.S. businesses she profiled was the Delaware Market House, which chefs Kim and Edgar Alvarez closed last March.
“Fortunately, the Alvarezes have found another venue for their talents,” Montalbano said. “Along with a business partner they met through a mutual friend, the couple in December opened Avenida, a restaurant in nearby Mt. Airy that will feature the Latin American cuisine of Edgar Alvarez’s native Guatemala.”
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On New Year’s Eve, 2009, customer DianeR5631 stopped by Avenida for dinner and wrote:
Fun friendly atmosphere. Wonderful rich, but simple decor. Great for date night or family dinner out. Fresh, fresh, fresh and healthy choices. Save room for dessert!
Read more here.
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December 15, 2009 — Chef couple Edgar and Kim Alvarez will open the doors of Avenida (7402 Germantown Ave., 267-385-6857) this Thursday, Dec. 17. The kitchen takes inspiration from Edgar’s Guatemalan heritage, with a menu of quesadillas, tamales and enchiladas that tops out at $20.
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December 17, 2009 — Philadelphia Inquirer, restaurant columnist Michael Kline announced that Dec. 17 will mark the debut Avenida, “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.”
Get all the NEWS ABOUT AVENIDA here.
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StreetTalkin.com
August 24, 2009
This December, husband-and-wife chef team Edgar and Kim Alvarez will be opening their first restaurant, Avenida, which will feature Latin cuisine, inspired by Edgar’s Guatemalan heritage. Avenida, which will be located in Philadelphia’s Mount Airy, will be a family-focused, affordable restaurant with all menu items priced under $20.
This will be a great restaurant not only to bring your family, but also a great place to bring a date, because of the restaurant’s multiple intimate dining rooms and a seasonal outdoor patio. In addition to the popular Latin food items such as Queso Fondito, Clams with Chorizo, Guacamole and Chips, Whole Fish, and more, there will also be a selection of tequilas and Mexican and Latin beers, as well as a modest, price-conscious wine list and fresh, seasonal cocktails such as signature margaritas.
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By Michael Kline
Philadelphia Inquirer
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Husband-and-wife chef team Edgar and Kim Katz Alvarez are hammering out Avenida — an affordable, neighborhood-friendly Latin American restaurant, based on his Guatemalan roots — at 7402 Germantown Ave. Opening is pegged for December.
They’re fashioning Spanish-Colonial decor out of the 18th-century building that last housed Cresheim Cottage Cafe; it also has one of the best outdoor patios in the city. They met while working at Striped Bass in the Neil Stein era, and now have two small kids and a house in the burbs.
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Set in a historic Mount Airy home built in the 1700s, patrons will sit by the stone fireplace or on the romantic outdoor porch sipping margaritas and sampling Chef Edgar’s signature guacamole with homemade tortilla chips and fresh salsa.