Paladar brings Nuevo Latin eats to Hallandale’s Village of Gulfstream Park

Sara Liss11/19/2012

The goods: Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar brings Nuevo Latin eats to Hallandale’s Village of Gulfstream Park.

Ambience: The 7,000 square-foot dining room is decked out in funky paisley-printed booths, oversized linen lamps, hot pink walls and mosaic tiles. A spacious patio offers racetrack views.

The grub: Latin comfort food. Prices are reasonable and portions are generous. Starters $5-$12, mains under $20 and desserts $9. The bar stocks 50 rums, most of which can be ordered in flights of one-ounce pours.

Appetizers include fresh-pounded guacamole with homemade chips, steamed mussels, pork tacos, mushroom empanadas and tilapia ceviche with avocado, red onions, Hungarian peppers and crushed peanuts. Then move onto Cuban-braised beef or chorizo soft shell tacos, steaks, spicy Brazilian lamb feijoada stew, coconut curry vegetables and brown rice, plantain-crusted tilapia or mojo-marinated salmon.

Desserts include sweet-potato donuts, Mexican chocolate cake and dulce de leche cheesecake

Verdict: Stylized South-of-the-Border food and flavorful mojitos in a colorful, mega-restaurant.