Beeline to Caracas

You just can't get this kind of food in SF: super addictive Venezuelan-style arepas and empanadas at always jam-packed, hole-in-the-wall Caracas in the East Village. This was one of my top 3 gotta-have-it good eats during my visit to NYC (the others were Barrio Chino and Tia Pol). I was not disappointed.

I introduced my cousins to this awesome eatery and told 'em to get one of each. I always get the De Pabellon empanada—the crunchy puff of deep-fried sweet corn dough is filled with savory shredded beef, black beans, white salty cheese and sweet plantains.

This time around I coupled that with the La Jardinera arepa, an open pocket of unsweetened masa stuffed with grilled eggplants, sundried tomatoes, caramelized onions and guayanés cheese.


I think it's safe to say that the girls had fun devouring all of the goodies laid before them. I did too. Love Caracas.