Hurricane Helene may have knocked the roof off Maria Singh’s outside seating area, but it didn’t deter her from doing what she’s done since age 9 in her native Dominican Republic – cooking Caribbean style!
“I’ve been blessed. We have to help each other,” said the owner of Latin Flavor on the Riverwatch Parkway.
After cleaning up the restaurant, Maria began cooking for the Grovetown Police Department and those in need at Fort Eisenhower. Ms. Singh made more than 100 meals, including some Caribbean specialties like Caribbean Chicken, beans, and rice, plus other specialties from Latin Flavor.
“Asopado de Camerones is like beef stew. The meat is cooked for nine hours,” said Maria while serving samples to a curious reporter.
A staple of all of Maria’s meals includes plantains, rice and beans, salads, along with sweet coconut and mojo homemade sauces.
Appetizers include beef and chicken empanadas, Caribbean-style “hush puppies,” and shrimp bread smothered in butter, cheese, and seasoned shrimp.
Other delicacies include Oxtail Bandera slow-cooked in broth, Pollo Maria featuring Baked Chicken in mushroom sauce, and plenty of fish and seafood options like Red Snapper fresh from the sea. It is a flaky white fish with scales and other prominent features still intact.
There are a total of 20 tables inside and outside the restaurant with a plentiful garden and game area, now filled with some remnants of Hurricane Helene. Ironically, a pair of roofers from Atlanta came in for lunch the day of this interview.
“We love the environment. The food is delicious,” said Will and Manny from Element Roofing.
They sampled a number of different delicacies while taking a break from visiting homeowners with serious issues and enjoyed the service from Maria’s son, who along with other siblings help run the restaurant.
Maria says at age 9, she imagined her life’s work. She cooked for her younger siblings, while her mom helped to support the family at different jobs. When customers come in from her native Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Columbia, and Cuba, the meal becomes sentimental.
“They love it… it reminds them of back home and family.”
There is also a wide array of Caribbean delicacies to finish the meal from Flan to Tres Leche.
Maria’s website is www.latinflavormartinezga.com
Latin Flavor is located at 3568 Riverwatch Parkway, across from Bob’s Tropical Fish near Baston Road in Martinez.
Latin Flavor is open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday through Sunday, so groups can have a private meeting at the restaurant on Mondays and Tuesdays. Maria can also cater at your location of choice.
