Latinicity Brings Taste Of Latin America To Block 37
(CBS) -- Developers think they have just the right recipe to turn around troubled Block 37. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole sunk his teeth into a new massive dining concept called Latinicity.
25,000 square feet on the third floor of Block 37 is now a $10 million food emporium known as Latinincity.
"It's more than a food hall," said chef Richard Sandoval, the owner of Latinicity. "It's almost like a little cultural center."
Here you can taste the Chinese wok fried influence on Peruvian dishes, order the grilled meats that are a mainstay of Argentine cuisine, and sink your teeth into a tasty taco.
"I want them to experience Latin America," Sandoval said.
From the stylish food counters to the corner grocery store, it's the brainchild of Denver based celebrity chef Richard Sandoval.
"I am very anxious and very nervous," Sandoval said. "It's a brand new product for us. We have never done a food hall before. It's like opening all 12 restaurants at the same time so it's very challenging.
The open South American food markets were in the back of Sandoval's mind when developers originally courted him for a first floor restaurant.
"Then they brought me to the third floor and I saw this and I said, 'Oh this is it,'" Sandoval said.
The location in Block 37 has had troubles in the past and Sandoval said he has considered that.
"It think the volume of people here and the uniqueness of the product will drive people to Block 37 and to Latinicity.
Asked why open Latinicity in Chicago, Sandoval said, "It's a global city and I think for people to embrace something like this it's people interested in different cultures and I think you have that in Chicago."
If you're wondering where exactly the Latinicity comes from, there are 11 food counters in all, with the flavors of Mexico, Central and South America, Spain and Portugal.
CBS 2 television studios are based at Block 37.
