Opening of a Latin American cuisine café in Geneva – Albert Lea Tribune

gENEVA – After finding success on the road with her food truck offering Latin American cuisine, a local woman from Venezuela opened her own café last week on central avenue in Geneva with her daughter.

Aracelis Sepulveda, daughter of Noris Hemingway, said her mother started her food truck about five years ago and was mostly on the road at breweries including Imminent Brewing in Northfield, Mineral Springs Brewery in Owatonna and d ‘others in Rochester and Mankato.

Hemingway said for many years that it was a dream for her to open a small cafe because the food truck cannot come out during the winter months, and she wanted to offer something comfortable. for the community where they would feel welcome.

She lived in the Geneva countryside for 11 years and before that, lived in Saint-Paul for a few years when they moved to the United States.

Hemingway decided to move forward with the restaurant with her husband, Brant, and the support of her daughter and other family members.

They bought half of the previously called Geneva Foods & Deli space at 103 Central Ave., which had been empty since 2014, and worked to renovate the space and make it their own. The restaurant opened on July 1.

The cafe features new flooring, decor and equipment that Sepulveda said she tried to decorate in an industrial vibe, taking inspiration from things she liked about Minneapolis cafes.

In addition to tables made by his brother Benjamin Hemingway, who is an artist in the cities, the space also has a more casual seating area up front with chairs and a sofa, as well as a nearby photo wall. .

Sepulveda said the cafe was in addition to two other dining establishments already in Geneva – Geneva Bar & Grill and Georges of Geneva – and noted that their menus are all different, so they don’t think they compete with each other. Noris is also the only place open for breakfast.

So far, they have seen people from Geneva but also people from Northfield, the Twin Cities and Albert Lea. Some have traveled to show their support after enjoying what they have to offer in the food truck.

The cafe considers itself gluten-free, and they hope people with celiac disease, vegetarians, and others can enjoy their food. Their food truck is 100% gluten-free.

Some of their popular dishes include cachacas – a corn cake filled with roasted pork and cheese and topped with cheese, cream cheese, and their homemade green salsa – and empanadas stuffed with beef, chicken, or cheese. Arepas are also common and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Sepulveda said.

Another favorite is a Cuban sandwich made on a panini press with roast pork, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and a mayonnaise-mustard sauce. They also have a popular shrimp salad, as well as various coffees and teas.

Hemingway said they plan to host private events in the cafe after hours.

Otherwise, Noris Cuisine is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.