473064 Wed Dec 26 15:27:34 -0800 2007 34 12 Boston Area 0 3238267 There's a sign for Orinoco in the window of the former village fish in brookline village. Is this a branch of the s.e. resto? If so, I'm thrilled. I love that place. Wed Dec 26 15:27:34 -0800 2007 10822 Chicky 1 3238398 Brookline Village with be the South End Orinoco's second location. Wed Dec 26 16:38:55 -0800 2007 3238267 10143 MC Slim JB 2 3239474 Ooph! That is tremendously good news. Thu Dec 27 07:29:32 -0800 2007 3238398 11172 Bob Dobalina 2 3251990 That's just great news! I LOVE this little place and am so happy that they are branching out. Cant wait for it to open so that I can have the areppa! Tue Jan 01 16:43:45 -0800 2008 3238398 10822 Chicky 2 3463289 How are the arepas at Orinoco? Wed Mar 05 13:21:56 -0800 2008 3238398 141450 Guilty Glutton 3 3464108 We always get the pork and they are great! I've never had anything there I haven't enjoyed. I always find something on the specials list that makes me smile!! Wed Mar 05 17:12:32 -0800 2008 3463289 110058 southie 1 3239403 Any idea when it opens? Thu Dec 27 07:06:07 -0800 2007 3238267 19863 drb 2 3253456 Hard to see inside since the windows are papered, but I peeked in through a crack on Sunday and it looks like they've still got a *lot* of work to do ... Wed Jan 02 10:04:05 -0800 2008 3239403 13800 Chickpea 3 3390417 They are hopefully opening Feb 26th last I called. It will lbe a larger space with about 40-45 seats with a full bar and mojito bar. There will also be a chef's table for large parties of I believe ten or more from what I was told when I called them last. Tue Feb 12 12:48:29 -0800 2008 3253456 165462 sox3358 4 3390576 Wow, that will seem like the Taj Mahal compared to their SE location. Good for them, Orinoco is a great spot with good food and awesome prices! Tue Feb 12 13:30:09 -0800 2008 3390417 88180 heWho 4 3462955 Any update as to an opening? Wed Mar 05 12:12:23 -0800 2008 3390417 12889 Taralli 5 3465669 Doesn't seem like they're close because paper is still on the windows. Thu Mar 06 08:46:19 -0800 2008 3462955 71350 lergnom 6 3472538 As a note, they were working in their yesterday. The dining room and bar look mostly done but some of the finish work is not ready. Sat Mar 08 09:07:04 -0800 2008 3465669 71350 lergnom 2 3492306 Any updates on the opening? I'll be in the area tonight so was hoping they might be open by now. Fri Mar 14 08:54:19 -0700 2008 3239403 150305 Aphex 3 3492361 Nope, still paper-covered. Fri Mar 14 09:02:09 -0700 2008 3492306 18512 Allstonian 4 3605312 Is it still covered and under construction? Thu Apr 17 15:59:20 -0700 2008 3492361 150305 Aphex 5 3606336 Yep. Fri Apr 18 03:39:04 -0700 2008 3605312 18512 Allstonian 1 3465542 Might be off-topic, but I'm asking anyway. Do you guys think Orinoco would frown upon a take-out order? Thu Mar 06 08:21:40 -0800 2008 3238267 86651 cookboat55 2 3465635 I've had takeout form the South End location without a frown. Thu Mar 06 08:40:10 -0800 2008 3465542 92135 jonship 2 3465714 on their website it says "lunch & dinner, take-out, catering" so you're good to-go! Thu Mar 06 08:53:06 -0800 2008 3465542 12078 rebs 2 3470947 I can't think of very many restaurants that ever frown on take-out orders. They are a gold mine for restaurants... you get to charge the same price you normally would without someone taking a spot at a table. win-win for restaurants. Fri Mar 07 15:09:00 -0800 2008 3465542 88180 heWho 3 3492456 Some places have weird rules about take-out. You can't get pasta to-go at Via Matta, but you can order anything else for take-out. I guess it does dampen the atmosphere at a fancy place to have people coming and going, picking up paper bags at the hostess station. I love ordering take-out at nice restaurants (love good food, can't get boyfriend out the door), but I'm always afraid of offending. I usually get a glass of wine at the bar and ask the bartender if they would mind placing a take-out order for me. Fri Mar 14 09:25:34 -0700 2008 3470947 86651 cookboat55 1 3606340 Orinoco Brookline has sent out announcements that they're opening on April 21, 2008, 6-9pm. Fri Apr 18 03:43:57 -0700 2008 3238267 10143 MC Slim JB 2 3619356 Does anyone know if the Brookline Village resto opened last night? I checked the website and also called the South End location to ask, but so far can't get the info. I'd love to go tonight and since it's not too far from me, we might just swing by and see if we get lucky. If so, will report back. Tue Apr 22 12:14:34 -0700 2008 3606340 48292 powella 3 3619631 On our way to the Rizelli Cafe early Sunday evening, we peeked in and there was a large private gathering sitting at a long table. Will check it out on the way home this evening. Tue Apr 22 13:20:28 -0700 2008 3619356 12889 Taralli 4 3620615 Just got home after an excellent (if sodium-laden!) dinner at Orinoco Brookline. Warm, attentive service even when our waitress got into a long conversation with another table....the host/?manager seamlessly took over. I haven't been to Orinoco before, but I glanced at the online menu from the SE location, and with the exception of three special entrees, it's the same. We started with the Verde Empanada, which was stuffed with creamy mushrooms and peppers and fried to perfection, served with a spring mix of salad, jicama, tomato, and cheese. 5 year old had the arepa with black beans and palmizulia cheese, which made her very happy. We used her tangy green mojo sauce as a dip for our empanadas. YUM. My dear spouse had the steak special, which was cooked perfectly and served with more of the mojo sauce and roasted asparagus. It's a narrow but thick wedge of steak. I had the mahi-mahi special, which was plantain-crusted and served with a very spicy side of beef that had a ropa-vieja texture, and a tangy tomato-red onion salad. Fantastic flavor and texture combination. The specials were priced at $19, which we felt was right on for the flavor and portion size. Too full for dessert, we hope to return to try more things and somehow find room for a postre next time. I am guessing that this place will be hopping, and soon. Tue Apr 22 18:05:12 -0700 2008 3619631 48292 powella 5 3621812 Stopped by last night, too, for their "soft opening" & was warmly greeted by host, Rick, bartenders & staff. Sat at the bar & had my 1st arepa, an absolutely bursting, grill marked, soft dough pocket of marinated strips of beef w/a little cup of piquant green sauce for garnish. Need to be careful to center yourself over the plate & have napkins at the ready for all the resulting juices when you take a bite. They have a full bar and 2 knowledgeable bartenders - American guy & Venezuelan gal who explained ingredients and preparation of menu items. I had the refreshing white sangria - if a little sweet for my tastes. I was too full from a late lunch and my arepa to try anything else. Bartender highly recommended the Palmito salad of hearts of palm tossed w/spring greens & jimaca in a cabrales cheese vinaigrette w/"bacon-wrapped dates". I will definitely get this and an entree of Atun - adobo-rubbed tuna seared & served w/jimaca & red onion in a sun dried tomato vinaigrette, which a South End fan was ordering. They will begin serving lunch on Monday, 4/28. Wed Apr 23 07:37:00 -0700 2008 3620615 12889 Taralli 6 3634994 We tried to go on Saturday afternoon but learned that the hours on their website are not the hours they are open right now. But, we had a good meal next door at Matt Murphy's so all was not lost. I'd call before I ran over there the next time. Sun Apr 27 19:05:02 -0700 2008 3621812 21331 BostonZest 6 3646016 Great little plus I forgot about sitting at the bar. There are hooks under the bar to hang one's pocketbook, etc. Thu May 01 05:51:37 -0700 2008 3621812 12889 Taralli 1 3645249 Just returned from Orinoco Brookline Village tonight. We arrived at around 7:30 and the restaurant was bustling. We scored two seats at the bar with a minimal wait. It's a new restaurant and the rough edges showed. Service was caring but distracted and we had to remind our (very sweet) bartender for water, cutlery and the like on several occasions. This was our first experience at any of the two Orinoco's, but inspired by the many positive comments here, we were eager to try. On balance, I'd have to say that the experience was 'okay', not great. We'll probably give it another try, but we won't rush. Our wine, the Syrah and the Malbec were both quite sharp. For starters, we shared the Queso de Mano Arepa which was fine, though not particularly flavorful. The green salsa that accompanied it, however, was very good. Next time, I'd try one of the meat arepas. For our mains, I had the tuna which was generously portioned and well cooked though to my mind the heavy seasonings overpowered. My husband had the lamb chops, which were delicious. The prices were very good, with starters priced in the $4 and $5 range and entrees at $14-15. Any other reactions? Does our experience match up with yours? Wed Apr 30 19:17:41 -0700 2008 3238267 92542 mussels 2 3646013 We were there last night at the same time as you (the STRIKINGLY ATTRACTIVE couple sitting at the bar near the window). We really enjoyed ourselves, especially considering that they've been open about a week and the place was packed. The very friendly bartenders, Gavi and Phil, made us feel right at home and introduced us to the menu. We had the Asado Negro arepa (stewed roast au jus). Mojo sauce is served on the side (garlic, lemon and mint). Mouth-watering and a steal at $5.75. We followed that with the Mechada empanada (stewed shredded beef, also very tasty and accompanied by a fresh and lively salad of greens, jicama and red onion....$7.95). Not realizing that the salad accompanying the Mechada would be so substantial, we also ordered the Palmito salad, with endives, heart of palm, and BACON WRAPPED DATES! ($7.50) Could I have a dozen of those please? Happily, these are also available as a side dish. The place is lovely, with many whimsical objects scattered around that were collected by the owner on a recent trip to Venezuela (this info provided by Phil ....he has contagious excitement for the place). We will be back. A wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Thu May 01 05:49:23 -0700 2008 3645249 24075 onefineleo 3 3646208 I did manage to lift my nose out of my arepa long enough to see many beautiful people at the bar last night - and am giving you a retroactive wave from our corner seat! Glad you enjoyed yourselves and your meal so much. So fun to see so many chowhounds gathered in the same spot. Thu May 01 07:06:31 -0700 2008 3646013 92542 mussels 4 3647656 Would this place have any options for vegetarians? Thu May 01 13:27:04 -0700 2008 3646208 13053 lmuller 5 3647671 http://boston.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=52831&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=0 Thu May 01 13:30:55 -0700 2008 3647656 12889 Taralli 1 3650339 Just returned from Lunch at Orinoco Brookline. I ordered the Arepas de Pernil and the Tostones. The Arepas was so amazingly tasty, the pork was cooked perfectly and very moist and flavorful and I love how they serve the Mojo on the side. The Tostones where nice and crisp and the Garlic Mojo really added to the side dish. I work in the area so this is definitely going to be on the regular lunch rotation, I am very happy to have this addition to the neighborhood. Fri May 02 10:25:37 -0700 2008 3238267 126590 Matt H