Arepas And Co.
Tom and Craig ran the Thames Meander half marathon in London the day before. Craig is still rocking his bling!
The Stats: Arepas And Co.
What we ordered
To Drink:
• A bottle of Stormy Cape South African Chardonnay
To Eat:
Yuca Chips
Tostones - one beef and one avocado
Tajadas fried ahi amarillo cheese
Mariana Chicken Avocado Cachapas
Reina Chicken Avocado Arepas
Pabellon Beef Arepas
Pernil Pork Arepas
Black beans
Cost £88 for four people
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
The first weekend in November is punctuated with the sound of fireworks heard around England. November 5th is Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night which celebrates the failed Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament in 1605.
That same year, gold was found in the Aroa River valley in Venezuela. A few hundred years later, those gold mines were leased to British prospectors so it only seemed fitting to eat our fill of delicious Venezuelan food before heading to the fireworks display in Victoria Park in London.
Craig and I had been on a Roman walking tour of Londinium, which was established in AD 43, with another couple Tom and Jo. There are still remnants of a arena, city wall, temple and lots of unearthed relics in modern London. We walked from Barbican to Bethnal Green with a Shoreditch pitstop at Goose Island. By the time we arrived at Arepas and Co. we were definitely hungry. Jo doesn’t eat wheat, so the maize-based Venezuelan cuisine meant she could eat everything on the menu.
This avocado tostone was fried to perfection, which made it difficult to cut into 4 equal parts but we managed.
We started with piping hot yuca chips that we dipped into garlic and parsley mayo sauce and squares of fried aji cheese. We shared everything including a giant green plantain tostone with beef on top. We ordered three arepas, round unleavened bread made from maize and stuffed with shredded meats, sauces, cheese, and avocado. We also ordered one cachapa, the arepa’s lesser known roadside stand side kick. Also made of maize, they’re more pancake like and can be folded over to make a greasy quesadilla-esque sandwich stuffed with goodness. If we could re-order we probably would have gotten two of them. They were delicious and easier to cut up and share than the stuffed arepas.
The shredded beef tostone was deliciously prepared and served on a metal tray with Arepa and Co. paper.
Tom and Craig grew up together in Crew, in the north of England. They remember creating effigies of Guy Fawkes as kids and going around house to house begging “Penny for the Guy?” On November 5th they would made a bonfire, burn their effigy, drink beer and set off fireworks, hoping to not burn down the roof.
Jo was so happy to go to a restaurant where she didn’t have to pore over the ingredients list to ensure a gluten-free meal. She likes the yucca!
Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.
After dinner we walked towards Victoria Park where thousands of people were gathering for the free show. Booths were selling mulled wine and snacks. People came on foot, by bike and public transit. There were couples and teens and families with kids. We all packed in standing shoulder to shoulder to see the show. The fireworks show commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon complete with moving, glowing rocket ship and space-themed soundtrack. It had really nothing at all to do with a failed plot to restore a Catholic monarch to the British throne, but it was a great show! I was a bit disappointed that there was no actual bonfire nor burning of effigies at the park. Next year I want to go up to Lewes which allegedly has the most spectacular parade and bonfire in all of England.
Arepas are fluffy, round maize-based breads that are stuffed with shredded meats and vegetables. They’re often sold as street food from stands in Venezuela.
By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.
And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!
We ordered a side of black beans and fried cheese.