Overview
A new restaurant in Fitzroy is putting a Latin American twist on the classic charcoal chicken joint from your childhood. Opening August 5 on Brunswick Street, Che takes its name from the Argentinean slang word for 'buddy', which hopefully serves as a good indicator of the kind of atmosphere punters can expect. It's also an acronym for chef Alejandro Saravia's three specialties: chicken, helados (ice cream) and empanadas.
Saravia, who is also executive chef at Pastuso, really knows his charcoal chicken. Drawing on fond memories of his childhood in Lima, chef will marinate the chicken in Peruvian chilli and dark beer, before cooking it over a custom-made charcoal smoker and grill. He'll also be making his own chicken salt from dehydrated chicken skin that's been smoked and ground into powder.
The empanadas, meanwhile, will come in a variety of flavours, including beef, chicken and a vegetarian number made with pumpkin, pesto and feta. Just make sure you leave room for dulce de leche soft serve with blueberry, crushed macadamias and Malbec jam. Complimenting the food will be a selection of beers and Argentinian wines.
Che can sit up to 40 customers at a time, while the entire menu will also be available for delivery. You'll eventually be able to buy marinades, too, for those that want to get a little bit creative at home.
Look for Che at 296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy from August 5. For more information follow them on Instagram.