Head to Latin Fish for Beni Velazquez's Mofongo

Latin Fish is now open for lakeside dining inside the former Garfield’s space at Desert Shores and it comes with a menu from former Bar + Bistro chef Beni Velazquez.

Concentrating on seafood and the tapas style that built his local reputation, the diverse menu ranges from "wild hongos" mushroom pizza, Latin clam chowder, "crispy skin carnitas style lechon" and garlic shrimp mofongo. He's even added a kids menu.

Velazquez explains the concept's "eclectic Latin fusion style spans the globe with organic sustainability and focus on the environment. Drink, Eat & Live."

A Vegan tapas section features tostones, sweet plantanos and stuffed piquillo peppers. Velazquez has also brought back a Bar + Bistro favorite, the Cubano panini, a twist on a Cuban sandwich featuring sliced pork, Black forest and Gruyère cheese. It arrives, like many other dishes, with his signature "mojo" mayo or sauce.

Seafood dishes include Latin fish & chips, spiced seabass, Maine lobster tail, Alaskan king crab and Maine whole lobster.

Republic Cafe & Bodega

Still in soft operating mode, Latin Fish is opening at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. If arriving earlier, Velazquez's second project, the Republic Cafe & Bodega, is also now open right next door, starting at 7 a.m. Their logo features a female remix of the familiar "Che" Guevara caricature. Latin Fish has opted for a modest, topless, tattooed mermaid design.