Bochinche's Lounge

BOCHINCHE'S LOUNGE HAS CLOSED.

Bochinche’s Lounge is one of Brisbane’s best kept secrets – a colourful little Venezuelan restaurant and bar tucked away down a narrow side street in Fortitude Valley.

The only Venezuelan restaurant in Brisbane, Bochinche’s Lounge is the real deal, from the authentic food to the staff and the lively music.

Not only will you find all of the traditional Venezuelan regional staples, from the Amazon to the Andes, but a couple of Colombian dishes have made it on to the menu as well as both Venezuelan and Colombian beer.

A great way to start is with a selection of Entradas to share. Must try are the delicious Taquenos (fried cheese sticks, which you’ll find everywhere in Venezuela) – filled with feba (feta), feba and guava, or feba and plantain, with a delicious dipping cream sauce.

Other choices include Cassava (fried cassava chips) or Mini Patacon (like a mini sandwich with fried green plantain instead of bread) with guacamole, Empanadas or the Colombian Salchipapas (pan-fried beef sausage with beer battered chips).

Another must try are the Arepas (fluffy corn pockets with savoury fillings) with a choice of fillings including Pabellon (Venezuela’s national dish of pulled beef, black beans, rice and plantains), or for variety - the Caribbean or The Mexican.

Latin Plates derive from various regions and cross borders to include Bandeja Paisa (the Colombian National Dish) – ground meat, slow cooked pork crackling, red beans, fried egg, rice, slaice plantain, chorizo, avocado and lime.

Highly recommended are the delectable Cachapas ( traditional Venezuelan/Colombian sweet corn pancakes), either regular (with feta cheese) or special ( stuffed with pulled beef or shredded chicken) and the Pabacon Verde o Maduro (fried green or ripe whole plantain stuffed with fried pork, shredded chicken or pulled beef), with ham, cheese, mesclun and Pico de Gallo salad.

And not to be missed are the Empanadas (half or full) with fillings of pulled beef/shredded chicken, black beans and cheese.

For those who like it hot, a range of sauces are available to spice things up including Chile Habanero, Chipotle, Caribbean or Jalapeno Hot Sauce.

The perfect accompaniment is the home made Venezuelan lemonade or Chicha (a refreshing traditional rice milk drink) or try some Venezuelan Cerveza or  Colombian Aguila beer. Otherwise there’s Corona and a small selection of soft drinks.

Nice to know – There’s also a children’s menu including ham and cheese arepas.