CAM Café at the Cameron Art Museum has launched a new Wednesday evening tapas menu featuring the flavors of Mexico. CAM Café chef Jessica Cabo has given these small plates, known as botanas in the cantinas of Mexico, a twist, showcasing familiar Mexican flavors alongside some of North Carolina’s coastal seafood.

“With the latest tapas menu featuring a Mexico theme, we are creating dishes with local ingredients in combination with Mexican flavors to give diners a taste of something fresh and new, yet familiar,” said Cabo.

Diners will find everything from classic Mexican black bean soup to beef empanadas topped with an orange cumin crema and avocado mousse. The shrimp ceviche includes local shrimp and jalapenos with a citrus, pineapple and avocado salsa and plantain chips.

CAM Café’s new tapas menu also features two types of tacos. The more traditional blackened salmon tacos come with cabbage, lime sour cream, queso, pickled jalapeño, radishes and salsa fresco. For a Southern twist on the Mexican favorite, chef Cabo has created fried green tomato tacos, served with cabbage, crema, queso, radishes, pickled jalapeño and salsa fresco. Homemade sangria and Mexican beer, as well as a selection of summer wines, can be enjoyed alongside these dishes.

For something sweet, Cabo has created a sweet corn crème brulée as a nod to Mexico’s long-held cultural staple, corn, which is heightened with a combination of jalapeño and brown sugar.

“Tapas night at the CAM Café has been gradually growing a strong following,” said Cameron Art Museum communications director Kim Kelly. “Diners are excited to have another option besides the Thursday full dinner menu from which to choose. They also like the fact that the menu changes to represent different types of tapas inspired from places all over the world. Diners are able to learn something.”

Wednesday night Tapas runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and throughout July Rob Nathanson will be playing classical guitar from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CAM Café is also open from 5-9 p.m. on Thursdays for dinner and the Cameron Art Museum galleries are also open both nights until 9 p.m.

CAM Café is open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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