LIMA team to launch Venezuelan restaurant at London’s Westfield

The restaurateurs behind LIMA London, Gabriel and Jose-Luis Gonzalez, will open CARACAS this autumn at Westfield London in White City.

Designed by the Gonzalez brothers, the menu will focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients highlighting the best of Venezuelan cuisine.

Taking inspiration from ‘Latin Soul Food’ and the popular arepa bars across Venezuela called areparas, the ethos behind CARACAS is to bring the fun and casual atmosphere of these eateries to the UK.

Beginning their culinary journey with Peruvian restaurant LIMA London in Fitzrovia, followed by Covent Garden’s Floral by LIMA, CARACAS will be the brothers’ debut Venezuelan venture.

Gabriel Gonzalez said: “Jose-Luis and I are so excited to be bringing a taste of Venezuela to the UK with the launch of CARACAS. 

“We’re so proud to come from a country with such a rich food culture and can’t wait to introduce dishes from our childhood to visitors to Westfield London – both Londoners and tourists alike.

“Venezuelan cuisine is increasing in popularity and we hope to see it embraced by the city we love.”

The restaurant’s signature dish will be the ‘arepa,’ a flat, dish-shaped cornbread stuffed with a variety of fillings including shredded chicken with avocado; braised beef with cheese; braised beef with black beans and plantain; and a variety of vegan and vegetarian options.

Guests will have the option to fully customise their gluten-free arepas, with a wide selection of hot and cold fillings, garnishes and sauces.

The menu will feature build-your-own ceviche bowls including their signature bowl, ‘Vuelve a la Vida,’ which translates from Spanish as ‘Come back to Life’.

A tropical twist on the popular poké bowl, the dish will consist of ingredients such as quinoa, salmon, avocado, plantain chips, crispy shallots, mango, coriander, cashews, sesame seeds, ponzu and lime mayonnaise.

Side dishes are set to include Tequeños, crispy cheese pastries served with homemade mango chutney; and Yuca chips with cheese sauce while the dessert menu will offer Tres Leches, a sponge cake soaked in three types of milk; and Alfajores, bite sized shortbreads filled with dulche de leche and rolled in coconut.

Beers, spirits and soft drinks will be available alongside a range of fresh juices and smoothies.

Director of Leasing for Westfield UK & Italy, Keith Mabbett, said: “Already famous for their hugely popular Peruvian outposts in London, we are delighted that Gabriel and Jose-Luis Gonzalez have chosen Westfield London to launch their first Venezuelan concept this autumn. 

“The centre, which is Europe’s largest, has transformed the food experience for shoppers with many UK firsts and newest concepts capitalising on the 31 million footfall and £1 billion sales the centre generates each year. 

We have no doubt that this newest addition to the new Balcony Court Café will be a great success.”

CARACAS will open this October.