Ronero Brings South American Fare to the West Loop

Ronero, the Latin American-inspired rum bar from Owner Nils Westlind and Executive Chef Cory Morris began dinner servicerecently, taking guests on a tour through Central and South America. Ronero draws inspiration from the culturally rich Latin American region where Westlind grew up. The multi-level concept will serve dinner downstairs with an additional bar upstairs, which will feature live music and entertainment in early 2017.

At the helm of Ronero’s menu is Executive Chef Cory Morris, formerly of Rural Society and Mercat a la Planxa. The menu features South American staples with contemporary touches, broken up into three sections: Para Compartir; Carnes, Aves, Pescado; and El Gran Show. Para Compartir, or “to share,” includes small bites such as Coxinha de Galinha, roasted chicken croquettes with frisse and aioli; Ceviche Mixta made with shrimp, sea bass, coconut, lime, corn nuts, fresno chiles, and cilantro; and Matambre, cured beef, heirloom carrot, egg, and chimichurri emulsion. Carnes, Aves, and Pescado features dishes including Cordero, Colorado lamb chops with huacatay sauce and Peruvian potato; and Vieiras, diver scallops with orange-mojo, polenta, and delicata squash. El Gran Show features three spectacular, shareable dishes all served tableside, including
Pescado Fritto, a whole fried Red Snapper served with coconut-cola rice and fried plantain; and Puerco en Pachamanca, a 32 oz. pork shoulder wrapped in banana leaf, served with yucca and garlic mojo.

Allie Kim, formerly beverage consultant at BOKA Restaurant Group, serves as beverage director, crafting a cocktail menu for the restaurant, as well as an abbreviated menu for the bar upstairs. The downstairs menu includes original cocktails such as the Mama Pacha, made with Bols Genever, Singani 63 Bolivian Spirit, St. Elizabeth Allspice Liqueur, Chicha Morada (purple corn punch), and lemon; and the Desierto Florido, made with Copper and King’s Unaged Apple Brandy, Cinnamon, lemon, egg white, Chilean Pinot Noir, and rose petals. Kim also reimagines classic Latin American cocktails such as the Daiquiri, Caipirinha, Julep, and others. Highballs and drams are available, as well as a selection of regional and local beers.

The upstairs bar, set to open in early 2017, is designed as an homage to Castillo San Filipe de Barajas in Cartagena, Colombia, a place that holds special memories for Westlind. The upstairs bar will hone in on crafting upscale cocktails with a focus on rum as well as rare and exclusive spirits, complete with tableside service, and live music.

Ronero will be open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday. Guests can make reservations through Reserve.