Las palmas puerto rican restaurant open downtown

By Katelyn Hill

The first authentic Puerto Rican restaurant in Downtown Fredericksburg is now open.
Las Palmas takes dining to the next level, with Salsa dancing lessons on Friday nights, as well as open dance until 1:30 a.m., and Latin dancing night on Saturdays.

Before salsa lessons one can explore Puerto Rican culture with a Las Palmas Sampler ($10.95) which includes a variety of their aperitivos (appetizers) including empanadas, relleno de papas, alcapurrias, bacalaitos and Caribbean chicken wings.

This appetizer is wonderful for groups of three to four, and the flavor will open your taste buds for a delicious main course.

If you are eating in a smaller group or by yourself, try the Relleno de Papa, they are potato balls filled with ground beef, and leave you wanting more after every bite.

If you are a wing fan, the caribbean wings appetizer, comes with six wings and the Caribbean sauce is a fantastic mixture of sweet and spicy.

Main courses are served differently depending on the days of the week. They have different authentic meals Mondays and Thursdays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and Wednesdays and Saturdays. All main dishes are served with a side of red beans and rice as well as a side salad. Give your mouth a wonderful treat on Monday or Thursday with Papi’s Special ($11.95) as a main course, which is chuletas guisada (stewed pork chops) and is a common dish in Puerto Rico.

This dish goes wonderfully with a cold Coco Rico in hand – a coconut soda.

Another awesome dish to try is served on Tuesdays and Fridays, La Fortaleza – Home of the Governor or Puerto Rico ($ 9.95).

The stew is extremely flavorful with chunks of seasoned chicken. If you happen to be in on a Wednesday or a Saturday try the Roasted Chicken (8.95), the flavor and seasoning in this dish will keep you coming back for more.

End your meal with a taste of Puerto Rican deserts. Flan de Vanilla, Queso y de Coco- Spanish custard with Vanilla, Cheese or Coconut, will leave you licking your lips. If flan isn’t for you, try the bread or rice pudding, both are delicious and will be a nice ending to your very flavorful meal.
It was the dream of Sylvia Santiago to open her own restaurant and it has finally become a reality with the help of her friends and family.

Las Palmas has a very homey feel, as if you have been invited into a close friends house for a home cooked meal. The restaurant is located at 707 Caroline Street, downtown with delicious meals served throughout the week and Friday and Saturday nights packed with Salsa and Latin dancing, Las Palamas is definitely a awesome place to stop in, there is something for everyone.