Central and South American cuisines unite at Unidos Latin Kitchen + Bar

By Cheryl Mandell

Since its opening in January, Unidos Latin Kitchen + Bar in Naples has been warmly welcoming guests with gracious hospitality and an outstanding array of cuisines from all over Latin America.

Unidos, which means “united” or “joined” in Spanish, was built upon the success of its sister restaurant, Unidad in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Unidad owner Salvador Munoz teamed up with longtime friend Carlos Angel to bring a similar concept to Southwest Florida.

Angel, who is the managing partner of Unidos, knew the Naples location was just right. At the time, he was living on the east coast and knew there were already many Latin-inspired eateries.

“We really wanted to bring something that they didn’t have in Naples,” Angel said. “We put the menu together with ideas from Unidad in Chicago and created a new concept.”

From the eye-catching arches and intricate Spanish tiles to the ceviche bar and famous Santa Maria wood grills, the interior of Unidos beautifully reflects the many cultures it represents. The colors are as lively and artistic as the cuisine.

The trio of main chefs in the kitchen at Unidos are experts in their craft, including a grill specialist in charge of the Argentinian wood grill.

“We brought our main chef, Melina, from Unidad to be our executive chef here at Unidos, in partnership with a talented young chef named Alex Munoz from Colombia,” Angel said.

The menu at Unidos is full of fresh seafood and meat, along with enticing appetizers such as Provoleta Parrillera, which is presented in a small cast iron skillet with marinated and grilled provolone cheese, Argentinian chorizo, pico de gallo and grilled bread.

Entrees listed under chef’s specials include the Unidad Risotto, taken from its Chicago counterpart, which features spicy Peruvian huancaina risotto with a choice of grilled portobello mushroom, skirt steak or passion fruit salmon. Another standout main course, the enocado shrimp and fish, is a lovely plate of grouper medallions and breaded jumbo shrimp in a coconut sauce with coconut rice and plantains.

Equally featured on the menu are a wide array of wines from around the world and creative cocktails like the Hibiscus Smokey Margarita, a deliciously different concoction of mezcal, house sour and hibiscus with a tajin (chile lime seasoning) rim, and the Pisco Sour featuring Alto del Carmen pisco from Chile, lime, simple syrup, egg white and aromatic bitters.

Unidos Latin Kitchen + Bar is open Monday through Thursday from 3:30-9 p.m., Fridays until 10 p.m., and Saturdays for dinner from 4-10 p.m. Take time this summer to enjoy a fusion of cuisines from Mexico all the way down the coast of South America. You will be treated with impeccable service and flavors you won’t soon forget.