Ruta Del Vino gets new executive chef, check out the new spring menu. Also today’s warm weather means the sidewalk cafe will be open!

8th and Upshur St, NW courtesy Ruta del Vino

From a press release:

“Ruta del Vino has launched its spring menu, the first menu of its new Executive Chef, Wille Harner. A graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Chef Harner has cooked in Bologna, Italy; Lima, Peru; under Jeremy Fox at the Michelin-starred Ubuntu in Napa Valley; and more recently in Washington at restaurants ranging from Casa Luca to Whaley’s.

Harner’s first menu brings back guest favorites like queijo coalho, a firm Brazilian cheese grilled over wood and finished with garlic-infused olive oil and oregano, and introduces new dishes like a Colombian cazuela de mariscos , a coconut milk-based seafood stew, as well as a vegetarian version of Ruta’s popular parrillada.

Ruta Spring 2018 menu (PDF)

Ruta Spring 2018 winelist (PDF)

“We always felt like vegetarians wanted something with a kiss of wood smoke for dinner, so we’re happy Wille’s given us the ability to offer that now,” said co-owner Justin Logan. The parrillada vegetariana features calentado -stuffed chile, purple Peruvian potatoes, the aforementioned queijo coalho , as well as a rotating seasonal vegetable, served with house-made tortillas and three sauces.

Ruta’s wine list offers a range of exclusively-Latin American wines for pairing, including a white Pinot Noir from Patagonia, three exceptional Uruguayan Tannats, a top Brazilian sparkling wine, and an increasing number of Mexican wines. “We understand that we’ll have access to a number of the top wines from Valle de Guadalupe in the coming weeks, which we’re really excited to introduce to our guests!” Logan pledged.”