April Heralds Arrival Of National Empanada Month; Cuba Libre Celebrates With Expanded Menu

PENN QUARTER -- While to some today's White House Easter Egg Roll signified the conclusion of the year's Easter celebrations, still to others it represented the start of an even tastier party. We're referring, of course, to National Empanada Month, which formally begins today and continues through the end of April.

And to fete such a joyous occasion, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Bar has unveiled an expanded empanada menu during both lunch and dinner service for the month.

In addition to the popular Penn Quarter eatery's five traditional empanada varieties, Chef/Partner Guillermo Pernot created three new choices, including Slow Braised Pulled Turkey with Sweet Peppers, Onions, and Balsamic Reduction and Cherry with Sugar, Cinnamon, and Whipped Cream options.

Diehard fans of the delicious stuffed pastry can double-down on their love affair with their favorite Latin American culinary export on Monday, April 8th, which serves as the official National Empanada Day. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Cuba Libre will offer a variety of specialty and signature empanadas (dessert offerings excluded) for just $1/each as part of its celebration.

Of course, guests can always order the restaurant's well-known Mamá Amelia’s Empanadas sampler, which has been a mainstay on the Cuba Libre menu. Priced at two empanadas for $13 or three for $17 during lunch, each sampler comes with a baby spinach salad featuring a goat cheese ranch dressing and tomatillo relish. During dinner service, each empanada is instead offered as a special $5.50 small plate.

Since it first opened its doors in 2010, Cuba Libre's D.C. location has been providing Washingtonians with a window into Cuba's exotic flavors and culture. The restaurant's name, which translates into "a free Cuba" is intended to signify a hope for the future of the intriguing island nation.

Consider the empanada just a humble ambassador then.