PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIndulge in a little South American hospitality at Casapueblo, where the restaurant’s two matriarchs serve up traditional fare in a homely environment. The restaurant has been a Surry Hills institution since 1986, well before the multitude of eating houses sprung up along Cleveland Street; the wooden chairs are now seating the restaurant’s third generation of faithfuls. This is a place where guests come to fill their bellies, chat with owner Diana Pinon and linger late into the evening. The hearty cuisine is prepared by chef Zulma Otero in the small domestic kitchen out the back, which can sometimes mean a lengthy interval – but good things certainly come to those who wait, and the results of Zulma’s labour are definitely worth it. In the meantime, guests can amuse themselves with the eclectic collection of hangings and paintings that swallow up the walls.
If the rich aromas emanating from the kitchen haven’t left you salivating, the sight of the meals no doubt will. There’s a wide selection of tapas to choose from; try the choricitos al vino blanco – baby sausages with white wine – or the mejillones Casapueblo – crumbed mussels stuffed with chilli. Daring diners will love the traditional beef spare ribs; however, due to the owners’ recent trip to South America, a few tasty additions to the menu have been made, including organic lamb and black pudding sausages. Wash your meal down with a selection from the Argentinian wines on offer, or the beer with Serrano chilli, and end on a sweet note with the lime and lemon sorbet. Stretch the stomach with a stroll through the green courtyard, with its home-grown chillis and limes awaiting evolution. Casapueblo opens its doors just three nights a week, so secure your seat by booking ahead.
Lauren Barker, August 2008
