Emiliano’s Café is a small-town family restaurant with a creative twist: they use only the freshest ingredients from Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean. Every dish is innovative, whether it’s a reinvented classic or a whole new creation. Located in the heart of downtown on 7 SE First Ave., Emiliano’s is a great place to go for brunch, lunch or dinner.

By Victoria Phillips
Photos: Zachary A. Bennett

IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY

Started in 1982, Emiliano’s was originally a bakery. Now, sisters Chef Ali de Paz and Wanda de Paz-Ibanez and Wanda’s son Diego Ibanez-de Paz own the full service restaurant. Its name comes from their maternal grandfather, Emiliano Rodriguez. Most of the servers and cooks are all related by blood or marriage. Ali says the restaurant has brought eight couples together.

SOPHISTICATED AMBIANCE

Emiliano’s has exposed brick walls, spacious booths, upbeat music and soft, ambient lighting that creates a relaxed mood and comfortable feel. The walls are adorned with abstract art, while each wall is painted a bright primary color.

“It’s upscale food with a casual family atmosphere,” says Assistant Manager Joy Rosean.

TAPAS, TAPAS, TAPAS

Chef Ali de Paz mixes fresh ingredients to make mouthwatering, creative dishes that will satisfy any appetite. Try the camarones “jerk,” ($9) an appetizing serving of shrimp sautéed in a spicy-sweet jerk sauce, topped off with amarillos and roasted red pepper aioli.

Want cold tapas instead? Try their tri-flavored hummus trio ($8), and dip light pita chips into your choice of garbanzo, black bean-red pepper or red bean-cilantro.

SPECIALS YOU CAN’T GET ANYWHERE ELSE

Come in for a different drink special every day of the week. Swing by on a Monday or Wednesday to hang out on the patio and listen to live jazz with half-prices bottles of wine from Spain and South America.

And each month, check out new featured wines, tapas, entrees and chef’s specials. Chef Ali has a devoted clientele. She says some patrons come in once each week so they can try every single one of the month’s specials.

GREAT CATERING

Emiliano’s offers a full catering menu to take care of your needs and make entertaining effortless. All the hors d’oeuvres are made from scratch and tapas trays are custom to order.

Please your whole party with stuffed yucca fritters ($12.00/dz) and Caribbean chicken and rice ($7.00/pp). The newly extended menu offers an array of flavors in its selection of tapas, festive trays, sandwich platters, soups, sides, sweet endings and more.

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