I was first introduced to the restaurant La Casa de Pedro when it occupied the space in between Not Your Average Joe's and Stellina in Watertown Square. My father, an architect, was helping Pedro look for a new space for his restaurant. A space that would allow for live music and dancing. Although my parents wound up relocating to Florida before Pedro found a new space, I had the privilege of dining in the new location last week.
The new La Casa de Pedro is located on Arsenal Street just one traffic light away from the Watertown and Arsenal malls. In the warm weather the restaurant has a large outdoor patio in the front. Inside the restaurant transports you to Pedro's home country - Venezuela. With lush green plants, warm paint colors on the walls and vibrant art work on display the space feels like a warm escape from the Boston cold.
We started our meal with a pineapple margarita and wild berry mojito which were both refreshing and delicious. We wanted to have the bean and cheese empanadas to start, but when our waiter informed us they took 17 minutes (yes, he said 17 exactly) we decided to ask for a recommendation for another starter.
He recommended the cheese arepa which is a corn cake grilled and filled with fresh, grated cheese. It is definitely an acquired taste and probably something I wouldn't order again. But I quickly forgave the misstep when my entree arrived.
I ordered the grilled vegetable quesadilla which was an enormous portion. The quesadilla itself came topped with fresh salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Accompanying the quesadilla on the plate was plantains, yuca, saffron rice and black beans and rice. Can you believe all of that fits on one plate? Well, it does and its supremely delicious.
As we were leaving, the band was setting up. Had we not been in a food coma, I would have loved to stay and hear the latin music.
In addition to the oasis environment, the extraordinary food (in quality and portion size), La Casa de Pedro is also very fairly priced. In fact, for the amount of food you receive, it feels like you are getting away with something.
If you can handle the trip to suburbia, La Casa de Pedro is 100 percent worth the trip.
