Por Mar y Tierra: A Brief Look at El Kapitan on Park Ave
Chicken chilaquiles from El Kapitan on Park Ave in Rochester, New York.
Authenticity is an important qualifying factor when it comes to the refinement and delivery of dishes inspired by Latin and Hispanic heritage, namely Mexican cuisine.
There is an obvious distinction when a platter incorporates complex ingredients to bring out the flavors of tomatillos, serrano peppers, habaneros, cilantro, saffron, garlic, and other dried spices or chilis that make up the culinary ecosystem of an authentic Mexican dish.
Today, a real pairing of authenticity and modernity is being brought from kitchen to table at El Kapitan on Park Ave, a modern Mexican street food restaurant in Downtown Roc. From the bright acidic citrus flavor of lime to the deep, rich, and complex sweetness and spices of Mole, El Kapitan is elevating the Mexican cuisine experience in Rochester, New York.
A Chicken tostada with pickled onions and a crema drizzle sits on a vibrant blue plate at El Kapitan.
The Park Avenue restaurant is delivering an experience that has been largely underrepresented to some degree, but has gained traction over the past few years with new kitchens opening up across the city like Peach Blossom, Taqueria Monterrey, Tavo’s Antojitos y Tequila, and Chuy’s on Mt. Hope.
In reviewing El Kapitan’s menu, you’ll find the phrase “Mar & Tierra” is written as a subheader on the first page — Mar y Tierra, translates to sea and land, a description of the uniqueness of Mexican dishes, which bring together robust flavors and sustenance from the ocean, and both land-dwelling and land-grown resources that have coexisted with humanity for centuries.
Our voyages across land and sea have provided the opportunity to pass down meals across generations, and moved culture, language, and heritage forward through time. If you visit El Kapitan, you will undoubtedly enjoy this fantastic modern restaurant in the lovely Park Avenue neighborhood!
A window view of Park Ave from inside El Kapitan in Rochester, New York.