Dean Adams has launched La Bueno Vida Restaurant
An award-winning Ramsgate chef has launched a new venture bringing a taste of Cuban and Mediterranean food to Broadstairs High Street.
Dean Adams, who also runs the successful Dirtee Feast street food business, takes over the Bella’s premises in the evenings for La Bueno Vida Restaurant.
The restaurant is a complete departure from the street food dishes that Dean is known for and instead deliver ‘elegance and flavour’ in a venue that also allows the dad-of-two to provide entertainment and a bar.
Dean with his Made in Kent award
The 41-year-old, who last year scooped a Made in Kent Business Award, said: “I use the Bella’s kitchen in the evenings so we are two separate businesses.
“Last year I won an award, which took me by surprise, and since then I have been trying to push myself a lot more.
“I’m quite well known for Dirtee Feast but I wanted to express myself to do something elegant and with flavour and something that was not offered in the area.
“I did a lot of training and worked with a couple of Cuban and Mediterranean chefs, and did a Cuban street food stall and then did a pop-up Cuban/Mediterranean evening.
“It went really well and a lot of the feedback was praising the small dishes.
“So, I opened the Cuban tapas restaurant two weeks ago.
“It is fun and challenging and is about bringing a different style to the area and showing myself on a plate.
“I am able to have live entertainment and that is part of having my own venue, being able to use my own spin and have somewhere to experiment and explore.”
Dean has been working with Broadstairs College to provide students with a safe space for their open mic nights and also has acts lined up including a DJ ad sax player this Saturday (March 1) and Broadstairs singer Olivia Rogers – who made The Voice semi-finals last year- the following Saturday (March 8).
Dean, who has spent most of his career in hospitality, added: “I have a licensed bar so can do cocktails and it is a luxury to be able to have the live entertainment.
“There will be lots of different things happening as we build up to the summer.”
Currently La Bueno Vida is open on the first and last weekend of each month with plans to expand that to 3-4 nights a week and to take on floor staff once the tourist season gets underway.
The new tapas menu launched this weekend and Dean says it is advisable to book to get a table at the 30 cover venue.
The menu offers four plates for £25 or six for £35 and includes items such as chilli and garlic broccolini, beef picadillo, Moroccan kebab, Mojo pork bowl and sharing slate options.
Dirtee Feast is also enjoying success at its new home in the Horse and Groom pub in Ramsgate’s Charlotte Square.
Find La Bueno Vida on facebook here
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La Bueno Vida (evenings) and Bella’s (daytime) based at 52C High Street, Broadstairs.