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Mara Cucina Italiana Puts A Fresh, New Spin On Classic Italian Flavors Story by Lauren Miró Photos by Abner Pedraza
Elevating classic flavors to new heights, Mara Cucina Italiana puts a twist on fine Italian food. Located in the Mall at Wellington Green, Mara Cucina serves fresh, authentic Italian cuisine in a modern setting.
is made from scratch,” Flores said. “It’s homemade flavors with our own twist. We have customers who come in and say, ‘Wow, it reminds me of my Grandma.’”
The restaurant was created by prominent restaurateur Lirim Jacobi as a new spin on great Italian flavors. Mara Cucina is conveniently located across from the mall’s food court.
The menu features some classic dishes everyone will recognize, but Mara Cucina also has several dishes that elevate classic Italian flavors to new heights.
“It’s classic Italian food, but we’re trying to bring it to another level,” Chef Josue Flores said. “It’s more like fine dining.” The restaurant itself is upscale and modern, with stunning glass-tile walls offset by bright red and crisp white accent walls. Overhead are modern pendant lights, casting light over granite tabletops. Guests can choose to sit at a booth, table, high-top table or the large bar. No matter where you sit, the energy in the space is evident. In addition to its great food, Mara Cucina offers a fully stocked bar with delicious signature cocktails, and there is happy hour all day. But it’s the food that sets Mara Cucina apart from other restaurants. “We use the highest quality produce in our food, which
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September 2013 |wellington the magazine|
“We have a very classic menu with chicken Parmigiana, chicken Marsala and chicken Francese,” Flores said. “But we just added new items to the menu, bringing in more upscale dishes. People who want to try something different will find something on our new menu.” He described it as a fresh, new perspective on classic Italian food. Try the Chilean Sea Bass Oreganata ($28), a delicious piece of perfectly seared fish served over Brussels sprouts and pancetta. The fish is delicious and flavorful, and the pairing of the sprouts and pancetta make for a tasty combination. For a more classic meal, choose the Veal Chop ($28), a large chop of veal served on the bone with mashed potatoes and covered in a porcini sauce. The chop is tender and falls off the bone. The sauce makes for a flavorful addition that makes this a new favorite take on the classic dish.
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