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Penca Restaurante: A fresh take for a hot summer (PHOTOS)

Penca Restaurante: A fresh take for a hot summer (PHOTOS)

Jun 24, 20222 min read

It’s hot outside — really hot — but Penca’s new summer dishes and signature cocktails are sure to please and cool you down. Whether sitting at one of the breezy terrace tables or in the calm of the character-rich interior, the seasonal dishes are a perfect escape from this weather… you might even think you’re in the vibrant streets of Roma Norte right here in Tucson for a moment.

Penca is known for its elevated Mexican cuisine taking classic, even simple staples, to the next level with their very own Penca twist. The combination of flavors and textures is something that puts Penca at the top of dining choices in Southern Arizona and brings a sense of sophistication through a changing seasonal menu.

Right now, Penca is presenting its selection of summer dishes and cocktails.

Summer Dishes

The main thing to highlight about the new summer offerings is the seasonality of the ingredients. Drawing on regional Mexican staples, Penca achieves in bringing the season to the top of the palette with brilliant fresh additions such as pickled peaches and squash blossoms.

The fresh and gently grilled Striped Bass is enthroned on a bed of hominy and peppered with a perky and fresh salsa that evokes the senses and takes you back to the Mexican seaside.

Penca Restaurante
Striped Bass

The Simple Salad brings summer freshness via juicy pickled peaches contrasted with a spicy Chile Morita. It’s nothing but simple and works well shared or indulged in all by yourself.

Penca Restaurante
Simple Salad

The striking Huarache is vibrant and beautifully presented, as is everything at Penca, and offers a purely plant-based dish for vegans and vegetarians to enjoy. The squash blossoms add a unique touch to an already beautifully conceived dish.

Penca Restaurante
Huarache

Summer Cocktails

The cocktails are also on point for the season and are definitely not an afterthought. The crafted and proprietary mixes are unique to the restaurant’s vision, infusing new tastes into well-loved classic drinks.

For example, the visually stunning Jicara, is a mezcal-based drink infused with burned elote and orange bitters.

Penca Restaurante
Jicara cocktail

The Cantarito blends zesty highlights against a spicy liqueur base of Ancho Reyes Verde, a handcrafted Mexican spirit made with Ancho and Poblano chilies.

Cantarito cocktail at Penca
Cantarito cocktail

The Sangria Roja adds Mexican brandy, amontillado sherry, cinnamon, and lemon to this classic summer beverage.

Penca Restaurante
Sangria Roja

Ambiance and Service

Last but not least, it’s important to mention the welcoming and cool atmosphere at Penca. From the interior design to the wonderful staff who are helpful, knowledgeable, and eager for you to have a great experience.

Penca Restaurante
Bar at Penca Restaurante

Patio at Penca
Patio at Penca Restaurante

Penca Restaurante is located at 50 E. Broadway Blvd. For more information, visit pencarestaurante.com or call (520) 203-7681. 

Article written by:

Anna Smirnova

Anna Smirnova

More about Anna
Tucson Foodie is Tucson's premier food and dining publication, covering the best restaurants, events, and culinary experiences in Southern Arizona.

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A new Chihuahuan-style restaurant and tortilla factory is opening in Tucson! @Tortillaschiwas debuts Thursday at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Barrio Hollywood, inside the former Grande Tortilla Factory.

Phoenix restaurateurs Armando Hernandez and chef Nadia Holguin, a married couple originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, are behind the project. The James Beard-nominated duo will bring a roughly 15-item menu featuring dishes from their Phoenix restaurants, including Cocina Chiwas and Espiritu Cocktails + Comida.

Tortillas Chiwas will initially be open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5–10 p.m. with just 38 seats. Reservations are available on OpenTable. The team also plans to mill nixtamal on-site for hand-pressed tortillas, continuing the building’s long tortilla-making history.

Photos by @jackie_tran_ 
Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnewsA new Chihuahuan-style restaurant and tortilla factory is opening in Tucson! @Tortillaschiwas debuts Thursday at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Barrio Hollywood, inside the former Grande Tortilla Factory. Phoenix restaurateurs Armando Hernandez and chef Nadia Holguin, a married couple originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, are behind the project. The James Beard-nominated duo will bring a roughly 15-item menu featuring dishes from their Phoenix restaurants, including Cocina Chiwas and Espiritu Cocktails + Comida. Tortillas Chiwas will initially be open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5–10 p.m. with just 38 seats. Reservations are available on OpenTable. The team also plans to mill nixtamal on-site for hand-pressed tortillas, continuing the building’s long tortilla-making history. Photos by @jackie_tran_ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews
An evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨

In partnership with @salus.healers, join us THIS SATURDAY, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way.

🌿SWIPE TO SEE OUR WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 

🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate)

🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev

Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks.

Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ 

#tucsonfoodie #tucsoneventAn evening of food, plants, and connection returns under the desert sky.🌵✨ In partnership with @salus.healers, join us THIS SATURDAY, August 29, at @tohonochul for Desert Magic, a one-night celebration of the edible and medicinal beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Stroll the gardens, drink in hand, and discover chef and wellness stations along the way. 🌿SWIPE TO SEE OUR WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS offering sound healing, massage, somatic therapy, readings, reiki, plant walks, workshops & more: @awakenedwombs | @curavidabodywork | @dharmawellness.center | @drkorigiudici | Ease Bodywork | @itsme.emmav | @healingspiritsoaks | @marie.heartnectar | @innerblissenergetics | @jessi.kyte.bodywork | Medicine Within | @monsoonmystics | @morosomedicalcenter | @intuitive_readings_by_zev | @sugarmelovetucson | @tantricheart_coaching | @gathering_point_ | @thehealinghubaz | The Somatic Sound 🔥FOOD: @el_chef_padilla (@copperashculinary) | @landofmilknhoney (@tohonochulgardenbistro) | @chefdevonsanner (@sandpcreative) | Chef Gracie Soto (@anita_st_market) | @chefjosetucson (@ameliastucson) | @kenneth.foy | Obie Hindman & @tuckerhartford (@tucsoncityofgastronomy & @solpuebloprovisions) | @archimagirus_cultro (@scratchingtheplate) 🥣 SOUNDS @tucsonmodernjazzquartet | DJ Sets by Rosa Dragona & LaDev Ticket includes wellness stations, herb walks, workshops, sound healing, & botanical drinks. Tap the link in bio to grab yours! 🎟️✨ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonevent
@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm with over 60 vendors!

Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 

🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY
📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ

Check out the vendor list in our bio✨

Thank you to our sponsors: @semperfi_heatingandcooling, @tucsonprimeleaf and @trulieveaz_ 

Photos by @astra1wanderer 
#tucsonevents #vegantucson 
#tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm with over 60 vendors! Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY 📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ Check out the vendor list in our bio✨ Thank you to our sponsors: @semperfi_heatingandcooling, @tucsonprimeleaf and @trulieveaz_ Photos by @astra1wanderer #tucsonevents #vegantucson #tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal
“Indian food represents many different regions and cooking styles, featuring far more than the curries that it is popularly known for — though those are certainly found in abundance at Tucson’s Indian restaurants. For religious reasons, beef and pork are not common in the Indian diet, but carnivores can enjoy plenty of chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes. Most Indian restaurants have large sections of their menus devoted to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, too.

Kitchens are almost always accommodating about adjusting spice levels but as a rule of thumb, the hottest dishes are the vindaloos, while the mildest are the kormas and biriyanis.” — @ediebjarolim 

Find @ediebjarolim’s guide on Tucsonfoodie.com“Indian food represents many different regions and cooking styles, featuring far more than the curries that it is popularly known for — though those are certainly found in abundance at Tucson’s Indian restaurants. For religious reasons, beef and pork are not common in the Indian diet, but carnivores can enjoy plenty of chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes. Most Indian restaurants have large sections of their menus devoted to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, too. Kitchens are almost always accommodating about adjusting spice levels but as a rule of thumb, the hottest dishes are the vindaloos, while the mildest are the kormas and biriyanis.” — @ediebjarolim Find @ediebjarolim’s guide on Tucsonfoodie.com