EL Cisne Restaurant is taking the City of Tucson on a Tour of South America! We have found a need to fill the appetite of Tucsonan’s love for Latin American Cuisine. There are only two South American restaurants in Tucson, and they serve the food of Peru only. We are presenting the foods, song, culture and dance of five South American Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile & Columbia. The first country we presented was Argentina on April 25th 2015 we featured some of the classic dishes the country has to offer from hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, entrées and desserts. We then pair these offerings with the wines of the region along with one or two specialty cocktails. Along with the food and drink comes the celebration of the culture. This is very special to us since our staff is made up of South American employees. Our General Manager Nancy Carnero is Peruvian and our Head Bartender is Chilean, Sebastian Zarate. He claims to be the most southern person we will ever meet. On a clear day he is able to see Antarctica from one of the towns he has traveled, Williams Port, Chile.

On May 30th we traveled to Brazil, presenting once again the food, drink and culture. We continued to celebrate the cultural influence with song and dance. Sol Axé (pronounced, Sol – ah –SHAY) is an organization we are partnering with. This group is a project under Many Mouths One Stomach, which is a nonprofit drum and dance community in Tucson, Arizona. Inspired by the music of Brazil, Sol Axe features the music of many traditions from Brazil. Along with dance comes the Music, Saravá! Carol Evans guitar & vocals moved to Brazil at the age of eight and soon became a "Brasileira de Coração," or Brazilian at Heart. Growing up in Rio de Janeiro and studying guitar from the age of eleven, Carol went on to study classical and jazz guitar at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston. The Duo group plays a style called Bossa Nova or “Brazilian Jazz.” Their Inspiration is of Rio with its Andean air, they feel it produces a combination of the elegance and of songs past.

August 1st we will present the foods and culture of Peru. Peruvian cuisine is the epicenter of the culinary world at present time. The indigenous ingredients and the fusion of sects of people in the region have elevated the excitement of possibilities within this culinary sphere. Our General Manager, Nancy Carnero, the “Gem of Peru”, brings her ethnic culinary background to life with flavors of maracuya (passion fruit), ahi (peppers), and chicha morada, (purple corn fresco). We will be paring the evening with the spirit of the re- gion which is “Pisco”, a white grape brandy, along with wines, dancing and singing.

South American Nights are not only featurettes, they are introductions to our neighbors of the South. Our aim is to expand our palates with the many exciting nuances of life and culture through out the Americas. With our diverse staff, we will continue to provide fun and entertaining cuisinal nights here at El Cisne Restaurant