Café Amatl
by Jack Brown, originally published in Nica News 16 (September 1998)
Centrally located, just two blocks up the hill from the Hotel Intercontinental and down around the corner, there's a great place to have a quick lunch or snack on busy weekdays. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday it undergoes a metamorphosis into a night spot where one can enjoy the company of other Managua denizens looking for something a little different. An open-air environment, many of the tables under the branches of a decades-old tree, Café Amatl is a breath of fresh air in the midst of the gridwork of the overheated asphalt and concrete of the capital. A bookstore run by a local socio/economic research center (INIES) offers a wide selection of publications dealing with different issues in Nicaragua and Central America. Something to read while waiting for a friend. |
Noted for its clubs, cafés, and the bohemian crowd found there, Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan was the focal point for beatniks in the 1950s and other varieties of counterculture expression in the decades since. Café Amatl would be a natural fit into the Village scene.
The name Amatl comes from the Nauhatl language and means "to envelop."
Here you are, enveloped by art, music, good conversation, a garden-like atmosphere and exotic food. The walls are adorned with tropical plants and works painted by the owner, Soraya Moncada Abel (a muralist and mask maker).
Soraya is modifying the selection of her work constantly, making it a sort of changeable exhibit. Not selfish, Soraya shares the wall space with other local artists who display some of their paintings and handicrafts.
In case you are interested in making a purchase, an enquiry is definitely in order: some items on display are for sale.
An affordable menu
The menu offers an eclectic selection of international plates: French crepes, Chilean empanadas, Spanish sausage, and waterzooi, a Belgian chicken soup made by Soraya's long-time companion, Phillipe.
Every day at lunch, three plates are offered. Home-cooking Nicaraguan style, comida corriente, at C$17 a plate, natural fruit fresco included. On Mondays, a soup is generally available.
The menu also includes a good variety of bocas or snacks to munch on while enjoying a beverage.
The liquid refreshments, apart from the frescos, include wine, beer, rum, whisky, tequila, and a number of original concoctions under the heading of "cocktails".
Though the present variety of foods is ample, the plan is to expand the kitchen in order to offer a wider selection. Prices are low to moderate, easily affordable by most anyone with a modicum of disposable income on hand.
A variety of music
 |
|
| Live music by local performing artists and groups makes this nightspot stand out from most others in Managua. Café Amatl is one of the few that actively promotes local talent. Photo: NicaNews |
Thursday evenings and on special-event days, live music is presented, with local artists being featured on the small stage.
Richard Loza, a local musician who moved to Spain to record several songs and videos, likes to return to Café Amatl when he's back in town. Other regulars are Salvador Cardenal, Kayla, Gladys Correa, and local groups Ixmaná and Mentes Eléctricas.
When recorded music is the fare, you'll hear everything from reggae to Brazilian to African to jazz to Middle Eastern music. It is usually played at a volume loud enough to enjoy, but not so loud as to interfere with conversation.
This restaurant can seat 80 to 100 comfortably. Reservations are not needed normally,
but if you want to find out what is going on, call 266-2485.
Café Amatl:
From the Plaza Intercontinental entrance, 2 blocks south (up the hill) and 25
meters to the right.
Tel: 266-2485
Open for lunch Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, Saturdays: 8 p.m. till closing.
Musical Offerings
Thursday, Sept. 17
Ramón Mejía
Thursday, Sept. 24
Richard Loza and Ixmaná
Friday, October 2
Fiesta Brasileña