ISLA VERDE

FROM PAGE 1 other items from Havana’s menu but then added dishes from his own homeland.

“We, as Puerto Ricans, we like explosions of avors,” Rivera said. “We use a little bit more seasonings than the Cubans, but it’s very similar.” e professionally trained chef, who started cooking in his father’s restaurant when he was just 15 years old, said he takes simple food like mofongo — fried plantains that have been mashed with garlic and the customer’s choice of protein — and elevates it with artful, sophisticated plating.

“Our food is very colorful, full of avors and happiness,” Rivera said.

Burch’s favorite entree is the short rib with beans and rice.

“ e braised beef short rib is just this huge dinosaur-bone-looking rib that has braised beef with a rosemary demi-glace,” Burch said.

“It cooks for 12-14 hours overnight. And then when it’s ready the next day, that sucker just falls o the bone. It’s so good.”

In addition to the menu, the new owners are rolling out a few other changes. e tradition of live music, however, isn’t one of them.

Musicians play at Isla Verde from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on ursday and Saturday evenings. Burch said they’ve developed a following of folks that come to dance. He’s looking forward to moving the festivities onto the restaurant’s patio once the weather warms up.

Inside, there are plans to extend Isla Verde’s bar across the back of the restaurant’s dining room. Near the front door, two of the glass display cases will be removed to make room for a host stand which will aid in the business’s transition from a counter service eatery to full-service restaurant. Permanent signs with Isla Verde’s name and logo are also in the works. e restaurant’s two murals will stay although they may also get an update, Burch said. e plan is to modify the rendering of the city of Havana so that it looks more like a Puerto Rican coastal town. In the meantime, the weathered blue shiplap walls, burlap swathed ceiling and exposed ductwork painted a cheery red give the restaurant a warm, easy-going air.

“When you walk in, you really get the feel of what it’s like to be on the island — everything from the drinks to the food to the atmosphere,” Burch said. “It’s kind of like a step out of the mountains and a step into the beach.” of installation, custom installation charges, equipment upgrades/add-ons, and certain other add’l fees & chrgs. See directv.com/directv-fees/ for additional information. $10/MO. AUTOPAY AND PAPERLESS BILL DISCOUNT: Must enroll in autopay & paperless bill within 30 days of TV activation to receive bill credit starting in 1-3 bill cycles (pay $10 more/mo. until discount begins). Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue credits. DIRECTV SVC TERMS: Subject to Equipment Lease & Customer Agreements. All o ers, packages, programming, promotions, features, terms, restrictions and conditions and all prices and fees not included in price guarantee are subject to change without notice. Package, Advanced Receiver Service Fee, Regional Sports Fee (varies by zip code) and equipment fees for TV connections are included in two-year price guarantee. Taxes, surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), protection plan, transactional fees, and Federal Cost Recovery Fee are not included in two-year price guarantee. Some o ers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. Di erent o ers may apply for eligible multi-dwelling unit. Visit directv.com/legal/ or call for details. Access HBO Max through HBO Max app or hbomax.com with your DIRECTV log-in credentials. Visit directv.com to verify/create your account. Use of HBO Max is subject to its own terms and conditions, see hbomax.com/terms-of-use for details. Programming and content subj. to change. Requires account to stay in good standing. Upon cancellation of your video service you may lose access to HBO Max. If