It’s HOT, HOT, HOT in Atlanta. Not just because of the summer heat, but because of a sizzling new destination for kosher eaters. The successful 2-year-old Fuego Mundo restaurant underwent a kosher conversion in May and re-opened as an AKC kosher certified meat restaurant. Except for thorough cleaning and kashering, and of course a change to all kosher suppliers, very few alterations had to be made to the menu. This restaurant, located in a busy shopping center in North Atlanta, has a Latin flavor. It specializes in made-to-order entrees, marinated with homemade herbs, spices and sauces, and cooked on an exhibition oak fueled wood-fire grill. All entrees & sides are naturally gluten-free, and all sides are 100% vegan. The fish, tofu & veggies are grilled separately from the meats & chicken.
Co- owners Masha Hleap-Hershkovitz, born in Barranquilla, Colombia and raised in Atlanta, and her husband Udi Hershkovitz, are committed to creating a unique eating experience and a healthy “taste of South America”. The pair envision FuegoMundo as a place to enjoy the flavors, spices, culture, and wines of South America, and to simply enjoy good times.
The casual, upscale bistro style restaurant offers a menu appealing to meat, vegetarian and vegan eaters. Using grass fed (and organic when possible) beef, the restaurant focuses on healthy eating. Lunch is fast/casual while dinner is full service.
At lunch, the menu includes sandwiches, salads, fish, burgers, wraps, vegetarian platters and Tapas plates. The service is casual – order at a counter and the meal is delivered to the table. Dinner is full service, and what a selection! Steaks, Argentinean churrasco, lamb chops, Miami ribs and the luxurious mixed grill. For those non meat-eaters, yes, vegetarian tapas, fish and chicken dishes are on the menu. And, alongside these selections, you can enjoy a lovely glass of South American wine, or a pitcher (why not?) of authentic Sangria. We did! The service is smiling, friendly, accommodating!
As for the cost of dinner – east and west coasters, will likely consider the prices a value! Our favorite main dish Argentinian Churrasco- Fuego Mondo’s signature steak slices with homemade chimichurri sauce, is $17.95; Uruguayan grass fed ribeye is $19.75; Grilled Tilapia $11.95 and another favorite, the South American style one-pound hamburger $10.95. All come with a choice of sides. We enjoyed the sides as well…choosing baked sweet plantains, yucca fries with dip, yellow rice and beans, and good old “hot from the fryer” French fries, and more. Most portions are ample, not huge. We doubt that you will need a “doggie” bag. The food, ambiance, service are definitely exceptional.
In our opinion, Fuego Mundo’s owners Masha and Udi have joined an elite group –
owners and founders of a successful kosher restaurant- As we see it, Fuego Mundo is a well-run food establishment, clean, good service, fair prices, and quality food that just happens to be kosher. If you visit Atlanta, don’t miss this restaurant. We plan to return to taste the rest of the menu.
Contributed by Roberta & Lois from KosherEye.com
