A First Look at Aqimero in the Ritz Carlton

As part of the newly renovated Ritz-Carlton, the hotel has a new Richard Sandoval restaurant, Aqimero, opens today in the lobby of the historic building. Sandoval, who is originally from Denver, has opened almost 40 restaurants globally, but this is his first Philadelphia-based project. The restaurant will feature Latin American cuisine and the menu and dishes described as “Mexican beach campfire style.”

The restaurant space has been completely revamped. Gone are the deep reds and gigantic wine cellar rising up from the center of the room. Instead cool blues, white marble, and shimmering glass fill the lobby. Fitting decor for a restaurant that’s menu is also inspired by the sea. Now guests can sit in the middle of the lobby and glace down into the glass domed chandelier below. Textured glass walls break up the lobby and frame the marbled bar in the back. The original dining room now provides a glimpse into the kitchen where the wood-fired oven roars.

The variety at Aqimero is far ranging, and maybe a little confusing. The lunch menu is relatively straightforward, full of tacos and quesadillas. The dinner menu focuses heavily on Latin-inspired seafood and steak, though there are also some detours into sushi. Guests can pick and choose marinades and the flavors incorporated in their meal. Take a look at the full dinner menu below.

Mezcalita Azteca: Sweetbread Tacos

The restaurant also features a raw bar where you can get a taste of mussels, clams and ceviches. You will also be able to drink sake and order Mexican mezcals (in addition to their fully stocked bar). Sake and mezcal? Well there will definitely be something for everyone.

Starting today, Aqimero will be open for breakfast everyday from 6:30 to 11 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner starting at 5 p.m. nightly.

Aqimero [Foobooz]