Somos, the new restaurant from owner/Executive Chef Juan Placencia, who is known for Costanera in Montclair, has soft opened in North Arlington. The restaurant and bar is billed as a “celebration of Latin American flavors with a global perspective”.

The menu (View Menus) from Chef Placencia includes both traditional flavors and “unexpected” mashups of many different cultures’ cuisines. The soft opening menu will grow, with more dishes being added as the kitchen perfects them into the full menu. The bar pours a full range of Latin spirits — traditional drinks like margaritas, sangrias, plus combinations of agave, pisco, rum, cachaça — along with wines and craft beer.

The space was designed in close collaboration with architect/designer Michael Groth, with an number of specific areas like The Plaza (a bright front room surrounding the bar) or The Taverna (a cozy area of banquettes). Every space in SOMOS is illuminated by handcrafted ceramic light fixtures or hand-woven shades.

There’s also two outdoor spaces, Calle in front and Cabana in the rear, that’s surrounded by foliage and greenery. On the way out, guests will be able to stop in the foyer Bodega, for house-made food items (snacks, sauces, baked goods) or artisanal crafts and branded merchandise.

Somos
185 River Road
North Arlington, NJ
Website

[photo source: Somos]