Fogata Latin Fusion

FOGATA LATIN FUSION BAR & RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED.

Fogata Latin Fusion bar and restaurant in Fortitude Valley is a funky Latin American oasis of cool with a touch of the Caribbean on James Street.

With its airy inter-connected dining and drinking nooks with exposed brick, red and black walls with hanging ferns, pot plants, cane lounges and hessian stools, Fogata makes a great place for everything from a refreshing Caribbean cocktail, some Incan-inspired tapas, or a succulent meal of charcoal-grilled rump steak, Brazilian or Argentinian style.

The unique menu at Fogata Latin Fusion takes traditional dishes from regions of Latin America and the Caribbean and gives them a delicious local twist – think Moreton Bay Bug paella and Coconut (king tiger) Prawns in breadcrumbs and coconut flakes with lime mayo, or Ceviche with pineapple, coriander and garlic.

Tapas include Trio of Skewers (chicken, meat and veg) with capsicum, onion and eggplant, Fogata’s Ceviche (market fish), Doe of Empanadas (puled pork or mushroom and potato).

From the Mains to Share (for 2 or 4) comes Paella, Churrasco (rump cap, chorizo & chicken heart skewers with chicken alites, beer battered chips and steamed rice), Feijoada Gormet (hearty black bean stew, slow-cooked with red meat and side of steamed rice) or the highly recommended Inca Trail – a mini feast of char-grilled flat bread, guacamole, salsa rouade and mango chilli dip, Fogata’s ceviche, Rainbow Quinoa Salad and Sweet Potato Chips.

Otherwise ‘Caribbean and Tropical’ Mains include Fisheda (whole market fish with coconut rice and fried plantain), Seafood Platter or Stuffed Pimiento (capsicum stuffed with spiced cous cous, pulled pork or eggplant) while ‘Andes’ Mains include Chicken Breast a la Plancha (served with chicken egg and tequila Bloody Mary sauce) or Pampas (Charcoal Grilled Steak) with a choice of sauce and 2 sides (such as Charred Corn, Brazilian style Cheese Bread, Sweet Potato Chips or Leaf Salad).

Meanwhile desserts are a daily affair that are not on the menu – just ask the waiter.

Drinks-wise, cocktails rule at Fogata, with a fantastic where-to-begin range that incorporates Classics (think Mai Tai, Singapore Sling, Classic Martini and Negroni), a host of Latin faves (Pasion Latina) such as Mojito, Capirosca, Daiquiri, Pina Colada and Traditional Margarita - and Contemporary Cocktails including some of Fogata’s own creations – try the Passiflora (Ketel One vodka, Passoa passionfruit liqueur, orange juice, grenadine and passionfruit pulp) or the Jimmi Hendrix (muddled cucumber and lime juice, Hendrix gin, sugar syrup and cracked pepper).

On the wine list (available by small or regular glass or bottle), mixing it with Australian wines such as Organic Yalumba Chardonnay and Yalumba Galway Vintage are a smattering of Latin American wines such as Ventisquero from Chile and Alma Mora Malbec and Pinot Grigio from Argentina, while on the Sparkling list is Seguira Vivdas Cava from Spain.

A small selection of Beers and Ciders on tap includes Bulimba Pale Ale, Wild Yak pacific Ale and Peroni Nastro Azzuro and House Spirits include Ketel One Vodka, Pampero Blanco White Rum and Havana Club Anejo Especial Dark Rum.