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© 2008 Dan Perlman
Casa SaltShaker
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Chef: Dan Perlman
Host: Henry Tapia
July 5, 2008
If I were to ask you to tell me a little about Cape Verde, I’m guessing you’d draw a blank. So would I. Beyond knowing that they were (actually I probably thought, “it was one island”) a group of ten islands off the western coast of Africa, I had nothing. I know know slightly more about them - they were uninhabited until the 15th century when Portuguese fleets discovered them and began using them as a transit point for African slave trade, whaling, coal, and resupply. They’ve only been independent since 1975, a mere 33 years, and spent the first 15 of those with a “one-party democracy”, a rather oxymoronic political system, the first multi-party elections were held in 1990. It is now considered the most stable democracy in Africa, though, with only 18 years of real practice, it may be too soon to really make that claim. More than 70% of the fewer than half-million people in the population are Creole, i.e., of mixed Portuguese and African descent, and the food of the islands echos that blend. July 5th is the nation’s Independence Day, and we celebrated with a little reimagination of traditional dishes - brought home all the more strongly by one of our guests who had actually spent time living on the islands at one point (during a fascinating six-year bicycle trip around the world!), who noted that while the flavors were reminiscent of the food there, “no one on Cape Verde eats this well.”
Comments from some of our guests:
"La comida muy bien igualmente la atención, la gente estupenda, pero entiendo que el mismo idioma para tener una comunicación fluida es importante. Igualmente pase un momento agradable, aunque en lo personal me gustaría gente single con idea de fomentar nuevas amistades." - A.C.
"I had a great time - thanks so much." - D.G.
"Well thanks for a great evening Dan and to everyone who helped out there also. The bstilla was the highlight for M... and I, but all the courses were superb. We'll definitely be back again." - P.H.
"We had a wonderful time at casa saltshaker, it was a highlight of our trip. You far exceeded my expectations and I am just thrilled we had the opportunity to dine at your house. I loved everything: The company, the apartment, the mysterious Henry! The wine pairing was very well done, and the food was both delicious and ambitious. Keep up the good work, and I will surely send all of my Buenos Aires bound friends your way." - L.W.
