I know many of you are very anxious for Las Brasas to reopen.  You want info.  You want your Peruvian chicken.

Well, we haven’t seen or heard of an exact opening date yet, but the website was recently updated and there IS some new info on there if you take a couple of minutes and look around.  Well, we took a couple of minutes and here’s what we figured out.

1.  It’s opening “very soon” – an note from two days ago on Las Brasas’ Facebook page states, “Las Brasas has been prepping the most delicious food and awesome space ever…we promise we will be opening very soon! Patience young padawan. Thank you all for your support! We can’t wait to serve you.”  Also a comment on Reddit back in mid August that says the owner, Mike, is projecting a late August/Early September opening.  So it sounds like we’re nearly there!
2. Open for dinner at least – The hours of operation on the website  are as follows:
   • Monday-Thursday 5pm-11pm
   • Friday-Saturday 5pm-12am
   • Sunday 4pm-9pm
3. General food offering info?  There’s no menu posted yet.  I know, I know.  You all love to peruse menus.  BUT there are descriptions of three distinct types of peruvian cuisine on the new website’s main page…
   • Anticuchos (Peruvian Barbecue) is a popular dish that originated in Peru in the pre-Columbian era. Anticuchos can be found on street-carts and street food stalls (anticucheras). The meat may be marinated in vinegar and spices (such as cumin, ají pepper and garlic) – While anticuchos can be made of any type of meat, the most popular are made of beef heart (anticuchos de corazón).
   • Cebiche is a seafood dish popular in the coastal regions of Central and South America. The dish is typically made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, such as lemon or lime, and spiced with ají or chili peppers – the exact algorithms for the marinade are often jealously guarded and shrouded in secrecy. Cebiche is usually accompanied by side dishes that complement its flavors, such as potatoes or corn.
   • Peruvian chicken differs from the typical spit-roasted bird through the emphasis of charcoal and live fire, which impart a smokier, more woodsy flavor than a gas oven or electric heating element. It’s seasoned with a marinade comprised of spices like garlic, cumin, paprika, black pepper, huacatay (Peruvian black mint) and others.

Photo courtesy of Las Brasas Facebook Page

Commerce Drive @ Church Street, Decatur GA

A few weeks back, we helped spread the word that Las Brasas was looking for a new space in downtown Decatur.

Now we have learned from multiple independent sources that owner, John Koechlin, is telling customers that Las Brasas will be moving into the old Burnt Fork BBQ space at the corner of Church Street and Commerce Drive in May or June.

Many of you voiced a preference for this location, so it sounds like you’ll be getting your wish!

Phone calls and emails to Mr. Koechlin have not yet been returned, but we have received many first-hand accounts from customers.

The owner of Las Brasas, John Koechlin, tells DM that he has decided not to renew the lease at its iconic East Howard Avenue location.  The Peruvian chicken take out spot has been open in Decatur since 2007.

However, Koechlin tells us he is looking for a new spot for his restaurant in Decatur or Kirkwood where his customers “can sit down and have a drink”.  So if anyone out there knows of a space that would be a good fit for a restaurant that serves some of the best chicken in Atlanta, give the folks at Las Brasas a call!

Photo courtesy of Google Streetview

Over on Creative Loafing, Jennifer Zyman (of Blissful Glutton fame) gives a loving shout out to Decatur’s Las Brasas.

This chicken shack may be tiny and have limited seating, but it has big heart. It is owned and operated by a family originally from Lima, Peru, that is as friendly as it is skilled in the kitchen. The chicken is slow-cooked with charcoal that imparts a delightfully smoky flavor to the already flavorful deep brown skin and moist flesh.

I’m shamed to admit that we’ve yet to try out this little chicken hut next to Feast on E Howard, even though I keep hearing such great things.  And its not like there aren’t countless opportunities on evenings when we don’t want to cook!

If you’ve ever parked on East Howard to feast at “Feast” or dine at “the Depeaux”, you may have noticed a little red building tucked away from the street.  You see the establishment’s name, “Las Brasas”, but your sheltered background lends little assistance to help you figure out what the heck that means.  But for some reason, the cute little hole-in-the-wall beckons to you and you think “I definitely have to figure out what they serve and eat it!  Whatever it may be!”

Well, AJC to the rescue.

They have a pretty favorable review of “Las Brasas” online today.

Their verdict?  A little taste of Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken in the heart of Decatur.

Click the continuation for the full review.

Hattip: [InDecatur]

Read the rest of this entry »