Arguably the most famous dance in Spain, flamenco dates all the way back to the 18th century. Made of three parts—the song, the guitar, and the dance—flamenco is adored by music and dance lovers around the globe. Scout out traditional flamenco performances accompanied by authentic eats, right here in The Garden State.
Sayola {50 Prospect Terrace, Tenafly; 201.871.2182; sayolarestaurant.com}
At Sayola Restaurant, customers can immerse themselves in the food and culture of Spain, just by walking through the door. Alongside an innovative menu of tapas and Spanish entrées, Sayola hosts lively flamenco nights, featuring the ever-talented Pedro Cortes.
Gaining recognition via The New Yorker, Cortes is a well-known flamenco guitarist and composer. With a grandfather and father who were also flamenco guitarists, Cortes continues the tradition, maintaining the authenticity of the music that he grew up with. For the summer season, Sayola plans to host flamenco nights once a month featuring music from Cortes, as well as music by The Cintron Brothers and Jose Moreno. There will also be traditional flamenco dancing by Elisabet Torras from Barcelona.
While watching the guitar and dance performances, pick and choose from a wide variety of tapas from Chorizo a la Plancha (grilled Spanish sausage) to the Aguacate Relleno con Mariscos (stuffed avocado with seafood). Follow up with one Sayola’s signature dishes like the Paella Marinara (Spanish Valencia rice with shrimp, lobster, clams, mussels, calamari, and scallops) or the Churrasco con Camerones (grilled skirt steak topped with garlic shrimp with yellow rice and Spanish potatoes). For an immersive night of Spanish culture, Sayola has the answer.
Sabor {8809 River Road, North Bergen; 201.943.7662; saborlatinbistro.com}
Sabor Latin Bistro is a stylish and energetic testament to Latin culture. Aiming to create experiences that are more than just meals, Sabor continues its summer tradition of flamenco every Thursday night. Featuring the hot new group Flamenco Flavor, customers will enjoy classic Latin performances with a contemporary edge.
Start your night out with some tapas like Aguacate Con Mariquitas (avocado mash with plantain chips) or the Empanada Trio featuring skirt steak, chicken, and spinach. Continue your Latin journey with a main course of Pargo Frito (crispy whole red snapper, watercress, avocado, and tomato salad) or Lechon (braised pork, arroz con gandules, maduros, and mojo). A favorite main? General Manager Adriel Lahens recommends the Ropa Vieja. “It’s a skirt steak braised for a long time and then shredded. It comes with black bean purée, garlic white rice, and sweet plantains with avocado.”
The restaurant’s cocktail program is equally as impressive as the cuisine, thanks to the fully-stocked bar. Lahens recommends the newest sangria on the menu, Fleur de Sol. This creative concoction combines elderflower liqueur, rosé, pomegranate seeds, and citrus fruits; which can be ordered by the glass or pitcher.
By Melissa Sorge
