Ribboncutting ceremony at Mi Casa set for next week

TROY, N.Y. >> Next week, the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District will celebrate a ribbon- cutting for Mi Casa, at 72 Congress St.

Brunilda “Kury” Ketcham had always dreamed of a business like Mi Casa. Based in Latham, the entrepreneurial mother of two boys, co- owns AK Cleaning Services, Inc. with her husband.

She is known for her generosity to her family and friends, serving others and finding ways to help the community. What she was always coming back to, was a project based on her love for food, to share her culture through food, bring people together and to bring a smile to people’s faces.

Kury grew up in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the Capital District 23 years ago. She has fond memories of visiting her grandmother in the country side in the Dominican Republic, watching her use simple techniques and whole spices to create food that is comforting, delicious and made with love.

There is a certain reverence for good, fresh ingredients and downhome flavors. She saw her grandmother cook meat in the ground, covering it with hot rocks and wood, and fixing a pot of burnt rice by adding a few drops of oil, covering it and letting things take their course.

As a frequent visitor to Troy, she saw a need for what she can offer, and a want by the people of the city of Troy.

The small space at 72 Congress St., previously a Domincan Iccee Stand, became available and Kury took a chance. The process in making her dream come true was seamless; the employees at the City of Troy helped her step-bystep and chance meetings with local business owners on the street and at their shops, provided great support.

With the help of a contractor and over 5 months, Kury renovated the space completely; installing a full kitchen (previously without a kitchen), custom counters, fresh paint and lighting. It is everything that she has envisioned, a clean, bright space to welcome customers, with food

and drinks easily displayed and ready to order.

There are 3 price points and sizes at Mi Casa, all steam table items are available to mix- and- match, empanadas are $2.00, cold drinks, Dominican cake and small salads are selfserve from a small refrigerated case.

Mi Casa’s platters start with rice (white or yellow, with pigeon peas, or pink beans) and plenty of meat options (stew chicken, pernil, shrimp, a fish option, usually salmon or cod), you can add a few pieces of sweet plantain or sautéed yucca. Everything is cooked on site, in small batches. Kury is adamant in not diluting the seasoning in order to produce larger batches of food, meat is cooked throughout the day. Besides the regular items, Kury is excited to offer new items on the menu, to keep customers interested and coming back for more. Sanchocho and oxtail are a few specialties.

With 8 weeks in business, the restaurant already has many regulars, from professionals who work downtown to families heading home from after-school programs.

“For me, everything is personal. I’m excited to provide authentic, real good food- the food I grew up on.” Ketcham said in a news release, “Mi Casa is home. It’s my family- my mother, brother and close family friends working be- hind the counter to welcome the community with our food. When you eat it, you know this will bring you home.” Mi Casa offers an Empanada Club Card with 9 purchases, get the 10th free.

Mi Casa is open Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Join Mi Casa during their ribbon- cutting Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 10:00a.m.

For more information, visit www.micaorder.wixsite. com/micasa518. Follow Mi Casa on Instagram @micasa518