BY KELLY MARIE MANCUSO
The sleepy cobblestone and stately, Tudor-lined streets of Forest Hills are alive with panache and flavor thanks to Matiz, the newly opened bistro serving up Latin fusion cuisine in the heart of Queens at 110-72 Queens Blvd. off the 75th Avenue E/F subway station.
Co-owners Oscar Cano and Sigifredo Quesada opened Matiz two months ago. Quesada honed his craft and palette while running his family-owned restaurant in his native country, Costa Rica.
Inspired by their culture and upbringing, Quesada and Cano joined forces to bring their eclectic and flavorful Latin dishes to the culinary landscape of Forest Hills.
“We love the neighborhood,” Cano said. “We saw the potential because there are not that many Latin restaurants around here, so this is another option for the people.”
The cuisine at Matiz blends a multitude of flavor profiles and traditions from Latin countries such as Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain and Puerto Rico. Matiz chef Alex Jarcia, formerly of Calle Ocho in Manhattan, also imparts his own unique spin on Latin cuisine inspired by his Cuban heritage.
Matiz’s menu includes many familiar favorites, like tostones, arepas and empanadas, traditionally found in Latin restaurants. However, the entrees, or platos grandes, feature an impressive array of the eatery’s unique and savory signature dishes.
The pollo Matiz ($20) features succulent grilled chicken breast with asparagus, manchego cheese and rosemary potatoes bathed in lemon and white wine sauce.
Summer offerings include the paella Matiz ($26), a spicy mix of mussels, clams, chorizo, chicken, calamari, shrimp and scallops. Seafood lovers would also enjoy the taco de pescado ($10), a flavorful blend of Baja fish, chipotle aioli and fresh salsa verde. The delectable salmon tropical ($22) is served on a bed of quinoa grain and mango in a piquillo pepper sauce with a side of summer vegetable hash.
Meat lovers can satiate their appetites with the churrasco ($26), a marinated grilled skirt steak served with garlic spinach and papa rellena in a red chimichurri sauce.
Rainy summer days call for mofongo ($18), a traditional Puerto Rican stew featuring green plantain, mojo isleno and your choice of chicken, pork or shrimp.
Matiz also features several vegetarian options, as well as a two-course, $19.95 prix fixe brunch menu available on Sundays between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Brunch offerings include an array of fresh salads, a breakfast burrito, salmon, and empanaditas. One star of Matiz’s brunch menu is the tosta colada. This coconut brioche french toast drizzled with pineapple marmalade is perfect for warm summer Sundays.
“Everything is made fresh daily,” Cano added. “We only use the best ingredients and organic produce.”
The seasonal menu will change every three months, with hearty soups and stews in store for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
In the summer months, the storefront windows of Matiz are open, giving patrons the unique experience of dining al fresco. Diners can also opt to enjoy their meals by candlelight amid the bistro’s cozy, exotic interior.
Organic elements like the rich dark teak wood bar backsplash create an earthy balance against the sleek, modern grey bar and vibrant red walls. Edison lightbulb starburst chandeliers illuminate the bar, while soft globe pendant lights create an air of warmth and intimacy in the dining room.
“We wanted something modern yet elegant, something fancy where people can still feel comfortable,” Cano said.
Whether dining out with friends, enjoying brunch before shopping or having a cozy night on the town for two, Matiz is the perfect spot for both flavor and flair.
Matiz
110-72 Queens Blvd.
718-880-1213
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