DAMA, the DTLA Latin-fusion restaurant created by executive chef and TV personality Antonia Lofaso, has had a fantastic 2019 with both critics and patrons. Lofaso and crew plans to ride the momentum all through 2020 starting with a brand new lunch menu that’s just launched.
Like other DAMA favorites, these new menu items shows Chef Antonia’s point of view on classic Latin-American dishes. If you’re a fan of Chef Antonia’s previous expressions, you’d want to look out for these.
Spanish Tuna Salad
A cafe staple in Spain, there exists multiple variations of these particular salad throughout the region. Lofaso added a bit of Italian roots in her version using Callipo, an Italian brand of tuna products that has found itself in many a restaurant kitchen worldwide. Served with pearl couscous, marinated piquillo peppers, eggs, kumato tomato, and more, this salad makes for a tasty and refreshing dish.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Bowl
DAMA’s rotisserie chicken is known for being moist and tender, in addition to being downright flavorful, thanks to Lofaso’s signature seasonings. Chef Lofaso found another use for their fan-favorite chicken by putting it on a bed of shaved red and green cabbage, cilantro, green onion, pickled carrots, rice, crumbled cotija, and lime that provides a beautiful latin inspired twist. The result is a delicious and hearty meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Grain Bowl
Grain bowls are the popular choice for those who want to eat healthily and fully. DAMA’s bowls combine the nutty flavor of farro with oregano, Persian cucumber, kumato tomato, avocado, shaved celery, and radish. The tarragon-lemon dressing adds another layer of tang and sweetness to the whole mix.
Caesar Salad Wrap
This classic lunch salad wrap makes another good use of DAMA’s famous rotisserie chicken. Here, it’s wrapped with little gem lettuce, celery stems and seeds, parmesan, lemon, and chives. You have the option to anchovies, avocadoes, or a soft-boiled egg if it’s to your liking.
Corn
Lofaso’s take on elote, a Mexican street food. This one uses queso fresco, cotija, cilantro aioli, chili lime salt, and Mexican crema, resulting in a grilled corn salad that’s equal parts sweet, sour, and spicy, but altogether divine.
Empanadas
A true latin American classic, DAMA’s new empanadas are filled with dry aged ground beef, which brings out more flavor and make the beef mouth wateringly tender. Spiced with smoked paprika and served with Brazilian hot vinegar, these empanadas make for the perfect merienda.
Potato Flautas
Traditional potato flautas are made of corn tortillas filled with mashed potatoes and then fried. The Yukon potatoes used in DAMA’s version gives DAMA’s flautas a creamier consistency, in addition to a richer, buttery flavor. It is served with chilies, red onion, shaved red and green cabbage, avocado crema, tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, and a squeeze of lime.
Croquettes
The Spanish version of croquettes differ in that they are filled with meat instead of mashed potatoes. DAMA’s croquettes are filled with delicious rotisserie chicken and a thick and rich béchamel sauce. These croquettes make the perfect side dish, but nothing’s stopping you from enjoying them on their own.
