Fonda Latina opens in Hamilton

Hamilton’s very own taste of Colombia has arrived in Garden Place.

Auckland businessman Jeff Pearce and Colombian chef Luis Clavijo Acosta have opened Fonda Latina in the CBD.

The newly established restaurant offers customers a range of authentic Latin American dishes.

‘‘We saw the opportunity to offer the city something a bit different and just went for it,’’ Pearce said.

Pearce previously ran a small business with his partner, Liliana Avila, making empanadas.

‘‘We were selling them through markets and we were looking for a channel for some of Liliana’s products and got introduced to Luis.

‘‘He was looking for work after his business had been destroyed in the Wellington November earthquake.’’

Pearce said there is quite a large community of Latino migrants in Hamilton.

‘‘We thought, wouldn’t it be good if we could kind of make a second home for them, as well as offer something different and inviting for the local community?’’

The restaurant is brightly decorated in bold blues, golds and reds and upbeat Latin music plays.

One thing Latinos are very good at is creating a social environment, Pearce said.

‘‘They jump at every opportunity to open the wine or put the music on.

‘‘That’s why you see this place is kind of everything. It’s a restaurant, a cafe, a bar and a place you can come and see live performances.