Mi Casa restaurant offers Soanish fare and more
TROY, N.Y. >> New local eatery Mi Casa is serving up Spanish specialties and more for the Collar City community.
The new business, owned and operated by Brunilda “Kury” Ketcham and her family, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday at 72 Congress St. in downtown Troy.
Foods like empanadas, roasted pork, baked chicken, rice and beans, sweet plantains and Dominican Stew can be found in the kitchen at Mi Casa, which rotates specials daily.
The menu is inspired not only by Ketcham’s own Dominican background, but Puerto Rican, South American and a bit of Jamaican cuisine as well. “A little mix of everything,” she said, “but very ethnic.”
Mi Casa uses traditional cooking techniques that are not always modern. Some of the recipes Ketcham learned as a child, from watching her grandmother cook. “It’s very natural,” she said. “That’s why I think people love it so much.”
Today Ketcham’s mother, who is also from the Dominican Republic, helps her with the cooking at Mi Casa. “I’m very lucky to have her here,” she said.
Opening Mi Casa has been a longtime dream for Ketcham, a native of the Dominican Republic. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, for a long time,” she said. “It’s been a long journey, but finally I did it and I’m very proud and happy.”
Ketcham said it brings her happiness to cook something and watch people enjoy it.
In deciding on a location for Mi Casa, “I thought Troy was a great place to start something, and what a great choice I made,” the Latham resident said, mentioning the many other new businesses in the district and the welcoming community. “Troy has so much to offer. It’s a good place.”
The owner has discovered since Mi Casa opened in September that the city also has a lot of Spanish people, she said, and they’re happy to have a local restaurant serving this type of food.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden commented on the city’s ever- expanding di- verse food options while welcoming Mi Casa during its ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday.
“One of the things Troy is known for is the eclectic mix of food,” he said. “You can eat on a different continent every night, and you’re just adding to that mix. We’re really grateful to have you here.”
Downtown Troy Business Improvement District executive director Ka- tie Hammon added, “The Business District has expanded quite a bit within the past five years or so, and we’re excited that you’ve continued the expansion this way, and that you’re a part of the community here.”
Thinking ahead, Ketcham’s goal for the future is to keep Mi Casa going in Troy, and someday opening a second location, though she isn’t sure where yet.
“I’d be looking for the same thing as when I came to Troy,” she said, “looking to find that special place.”
Mi Casa is open for lunch and dinner from 11: 00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
More information on Mi Casa is available online at https://micasaorder.wixsite. com/micasa518.
Mi Casa can be contacted at MiCasaOrder@gmail.com or 518-244-3337.