FUEGO’S MONTHLY BRUNCH SERIES
JULY’S DESTINATION IS BRAZIL

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of brunch and I’ve been loving the ongoing brunch series at Fuego at Hotel Maya in Long Beach where once a month brunch doesn’t require a passport as you’re transported to a Latin American destination where Executive Chef Victor Juarez takes you on a delicious culinary tour through. Live Latin music accompanies each and every Latin brunch.

Fuego, the modern, Latin infused indoor-outdoor restaurant and lounge, offers a unique seaside setting featuring 13-foot-tall glass walls that fully retract with seating inside and on the patio area. Fuego’s stunning open-air views include the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach skyline and Queen Mary.

“The Latin Brunch series provides an opportunity for guests and locals to taste a wide variety of Latin American cuisine each month without having to leave Long Beach,” says Kristi Allen, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Hotel Maya – a Doubletree by Hilton. “The Chef has also created a special dish to be enjoyed each day that represents the culinary tastes of the respective country.”

July’s destination is Brazil (Sunday, 23) and future stops will include Chile on August 20; Venezuela on September 17; Guatemala on October 29; Peru on November 19; and Nicaragua on December 17.

Fuego will become a Brazilian “Churrascaria” as authentic specialty dishes will include Carnes Na Chapa, Parrillada with grilled steak, chicken, pork and morcilla sausage; along with steak fries and cucumber salad. The Brazilian drink of the month is a refreshing Caipirinha with Cachaca rum made from sugar cane, fresh muddled quartered lime and cane sugar, and topped with crushed ice and Cachaca rum and then stirred. The festive setting will be accentuated by live Latin music with The Sounds of Samba. Free Latin dance demonstrations will also be offered during brunch.

“Brazil is a major culinary stop on our Latin Brunch Series,” says Allen. “I encourage all those with a Brazilian ‘churrasco’ or barbecue appetite to join us for an extraordinary feast prepared by Executive Chef Victor Juarez. Fuego will offer an unbeatable combination of delicious Brazilian smells and amazing beachfront sights with sensational Samba sounds and dance lessons on Fuego’s seaside patio.”

Other delectable dishes will include salads featuring Couscous with dried fruit and walnut dressing; Ensalada Russa, beet and potato salad; Hearts of Palm salad; Tuna and Cabbage; Caesar salad; Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato salad; Antipasto; Domestic and Imported Cheeses; and sliced fresh fruits. Fuego’s Churrasqueria style barbecue features beef, lamb and chicken skewers, cassava frita, chimichurri, horseradish, and mint jelly.

Brazilian Brunch entrees are ordered from the server and include a choice of Fuego Eggs Benedict with two poached eggs, sautéed spinach, applewood smoked bacon, English muffins, hollandaise sauce, and oven-roasted tomato; Pandulce French Toast with strawberry cream stacked brioche toasted candied pecans, maple syrup and whipped cream; Feijoada, Black Bean and Pork Stew, with black bean soup, pork, beef jerky, lenguisa, and bacon, served over white rice; Filet Mignon with grilled beef tenderloin on skewers, crispy polenta cake, sweet white onions and bisteak tomato; Carnes Na Chapa, Parrillada, with grilled steak, chicken, pork, steak fries and cucumber salad; Corvina Frita with whole fried corvina, parsley, lemon, steamed white rice, cucumber and tomato salad; Lamb Chops with grilled lamb chops, chimichurri sauce, pepper escabeche, roasted sweet potato and spring sweet peas; or Grilled Rock Lobster Tail with a 12-ounce Maine lobster tail, garlic lemon butter sauce, steamed rice, sautéed corn and peppers - for an additional $10.

Fuego’s Brazilian desserts offer an assortment of mini breakfast pastries, arroz con leche, orange flan with caramel sauce, assorted mini cakes, vanilla raisin bread pudding, vanilla meringue cookies, pineapple upside down cake, and Brazilian donuts.

The Latin American Brunch Series – Brazil costs $55 per adult and children, 13 and older; $27.50 for children, 12 and under; kids 5 and under feast for free; plus tax and gratuity. For Brazil Brunch Buffet reservations, which are strongly encouraged, please call 562-481-3910 or visit Fuego’s Facebook page.

For an additional $10, guests will enjoy endless sparkling wine or mimosas. Complimentary glass of sparkling wine or cider, coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea, juice or soft drinks will be served.

Hotel Maya is located at 700 Queensway Drive in Long Beach.

Story by Jose Martinez

Photography Courtesy: Hotel Maya