La Sombra Brings a Peruvian Twist to Tamales for the Holidays Available for Pre-Order

Austin’s sizzling South American restaurant, La Sombra Bar & Grill, is spicing things up this holiday season, adding a little heat and a whole lot of flavor to traditional yuletide fare. From December 14 through December 23, La Sombra will be serving up two scrumptious styles of Peruvian tamale, perfect for livening up any holiday meal.

Available warm or frozen and by the dozen ($16) or half-dozen ($9), these comforting South American tamales are made in-house using the finest yellow corn masa seasoned with Peruvian yellow peppers called aji amarillo, and wrapped in banana leaves. Flavors include the Chicken and Green Chile Tamale, cooked with poblano peppers and served with tangy tomatillo salsa; and the traditional Pibil Pork Tamale, featuring pork that has been braised in chicken stock with oranges, cloves, achiote and banana leaves, and served with a guajillo salsa made from toasted guajillo peppers and charred tomatoes. For customers’ convenience, tamale orders will be taken by phone before 3 p.m. each day, with orders available for pick up the following day after 3 p.m. A credit card number is required when ordering.

Additional La Sombra specialties available for pre-order and limited in-store purchase during this holiday season include traditional Alfajores, South American shortbread cookies layered with manjar blanco, a creamy caramel ($9/dozen); sweet and savory Port Meringue Cookies ($6/dozen); delectable Brigadeiros, traditional Brazilian chocolate truffles rolled in pistachios ($12/dozen); and rich La Sombra label house-blend coffee by Third Coast, a signature blend of organic, fair-trade Nicaraguan and Brazilian roasts ($12/one-pound bag).

La Sombra will also ring in 2011, South American-style, with a red-hot New Year’s Eve Bash benefiting Leadership Austin ($95/per person). On New Year’s Eve, from 8 p.m. to midnight, La Sombra will treat guests to Latin-inspired cocktails and dinner, as well as live music from Cienfuegos. La Sombra’s New Year’s Eve Bash fundraising event will be presented by Austin’s “Tribeza” magazine. For reservations, call (512) 458-1100.

La Sombra Bar & Grill is located at 4800 Burnet Road, Suite 200. For more information about La Sombra, the restaurant’s holiday offerings, or the New Year’s Eve Bash call (512) 458-1100, or visit http://www.lasombra-austin.com/.