What happens when Puerto Rican longaniza is transformed into an Asian "sao zi"? Or when fried burrata is bathed in a Vietnamese parcha sauce?
In the heart of Condado, two chefs are creating these unconventional combinations at SatoFino.
Since April of this year, the restaurant has earned a following on Ave. Ashford with a culinary concept that creatively blends classic Asian dishes with local ingredients, from Aibonito tomatoes to longaniza criolla, producing combinations that are as surprising as they are satisfying.
María Grubb and Kelly Pirro, chefs and co-owners of the restaurant, have collaborated for more than a decade on projects and pop-ups within the culinary scene.
After years of refining their chemistry in the kitchen, they decided the time was right to open their own space.
That is how SatoFino came to be, a restaurant they describe as elegant and fun.
"We want tourists to discover what Puerto Rico has to offer through emblematic Puerto Rican dishes. But we also want locals to daydream and travel a little with us through this kind of food that speaks to your home, while we go on a journey."Grubb said.
Pirro added, "I feel proud of her, of us," while giving Grubb a knowing high-five.
A menu for traveling
SatoFino's menu is made up mostly of dishes from Vietnam, Japan and Korea, with Puerto Rican ingredients and touches worked in.
That integration shows up in dishes like Okonomiyaki Bacalaítos, inspired by okonomiyaki, a popular Japanese dish of mixed ingredients cooked on a griddle.
The menu also includes dishes such as: Sorullos Tteokbokki, Bánh Mì Dip, Cabrito Dumplings, Steak Tartare and others.
🍹Completing the picture
To complement the food, the cocktail menu enters the scene, described by bar lead Celso Meléndez Vásquez as "adventurous and fun."
A few cocktails that caught our attention during our visit were the "Coquí Dorado" and the "Año de la Boa," both named for animals endemic to the island.
The drinks menu also includes a selection of wines available by the bottle or glass, and sake, a traditional Japanese fermented rice beverage.
SatoFino owns the night, too
Restaurant hours: Thursday – Monday (5 p.m. – 1 a.m.)
From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., SatoFino serves its regular dinner menu, and from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. you can enjoy its late-night menu: Night Market Eats.
It's a more relaxed and casual menu, with offerings such as "House Cup Noodles," "Baguette Bánh Mì" and "Viet-Caesar."
At SatoFino, the unexpected feels inevitable. It's the kind of place that makes you wonder why no one had thought of these combinations before. Don't miss what Grubb and Pirro come up with next.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
