For the past two years, chef Steve Gonzalez has been combing the city for a spot to open his own restaurant, and he’s finally found a place. He isn’t ready to reveal the exact location yet (for what it’s worth, it will be in the west end, three blocks from his house), but we do know this much: when the restaurant opens, it will serve Latin American street food, and there won’t be a taco in sight.
“I’m not doing a fucking taco,” Gonzalez says. “Latin American food isn’t just tacos.”
Instead, expect Columbian empanadas, mofongo (a Puerto Rican fried plaintain dish), Moros y Cristianos (a Cuban take on black beans and rice), lots of ceviche and more.
Gonzalez, who earned repute for his former role as chef de cuisine at Origin, and also for his appearance in season one of Top Chef Canada, has done away with his Bushwick brand, which was more of a placeholder, he says. He’s still settling on a name for his new business.
The restaurant space — which is high-occupancy, we’re told — is currently under construction, and if all goes well, Gonzalez says it could be open within the next two months.
We’ll update as we learn more.
Update, May 6: We have confirmed with Gonzalez that the new venue will be located at 606 King West, in the site of the now-closed Cheval nightclub. The new restaurant will be approximately 3,000 square feet, seating around 140. It will be called Valdez, and it will also have a rooftop patio. Gonzalez hopes the new restaurant will be open by June.