Aman Bal
Google
I wish I could give this place endless stars; five is not enough.
I saw the location across the street while making my way to a nearby restaurant; realizing that I had never eaten an empanada before, I made a mental note to save room for one after my meal. Thank God that I did.
The space itself is clean, bright, and modern; not super spacious, but cozy and well-organized. Self-serve water is a great move, and the drink selection seemed solid. Service was wonderful; I made my inexperience with the cuisine clear, and the staff member at the counter was happy to recommend her favorite ones for a first-timer. I settled on two - a goat cheese/date/bacon combo to eat fresh, and a mushroom/thyme/bleu cheese combo for later - with chimichurri serving as an accompaniment. Turnaround time was quick and my food was served to me piping hot.
I took my first bite, and...wow. I did not expect to almost come to tears over an empanada today. The flavors were so bold - such an explosion! I struggle to find any words that would be remotely adequate to describe them. The tender-yet-crispy crust, the savory goat cheese, the potent sweetness of the dates, with hints of salty bacon throughout..not to mention the freshness and brightness of the chimichurri, which complimented the flavors perfectly. I was truly overwhelmed. I closed my eyes, one hand over my heart, and did my best to savor every bite. I promise this isn't exaggeration! I'm lucky I was sitting at the front windows, facing away from the interior; had the staff seen my face and asked if I liked the food, I would've been unable to contain my emotion.
If you are reading this, please - go there, get an empanada, and kiss the cook's hands for me. I will never forget this experience so long as I live.
Again, five stars is not enough. Thank you, universe, for bringing me here.
Thank you.