One of the most amazing things about restauranteurs is their generosity.
When you think about it, opening a restaurant is an incredibly courageous and magnanimous act — these professionals are taking their talents and effort and turning it into nourishment and good feeling for other people. So often, they're driven not just by a dream but a family tradition, or a deep-seeded desire to share culture and cuisine.
Food tells stories, and at Los Comales in SE Portland, that story includes not just the owners Lidia and Belsar, but their daughters. It's all hands on deck, including baby, who rules the operation from their carseat (we all know who's really in charge here).
When Human Centric Media is on a commercial shoot, we always look for the pride, and that's something Belsar has in spades. You can see it when he presents his signature rotisserie chicken, on a platter surrounded by fresh produce. This is not just a job for him, its a purpose, a mission and a vehicle for his family's success.
Their daughters were incredibly kind (check out this kid's knife skills) and worked interchangeably with Lidia and Belsar to serve customers, prepare ingredients and plate dishes. Lidia worked the grill tirelessly to make sure all the protein was flavored generously and cooked with skill.
Alongside the chicken, there were enchiladas with mole sauce, pork burritos, a spin on ramen and my favorite — the birria tacos, oozing with cheese and consomé.
I want to thank Juan and Melina at Hacienda CDC for sending me out to Los Comales, introducing me to this sweet family, and continuing to empower their delicious dream.
