Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudio Kojusner.
Claudio, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I lived and worked in Manhattan for several years until I decided to move to South Florida. Once living in Miami, I felt the city was missing the flavors from my native Argentina like quality meats, empanadas and Dulce de Leche. In New York I could find delicatessens and gourmet shops, where I could buy prime meats, salads and desserts to eat in or take home, but this was missing here in Miami.
After years as a finance executive I decided to partner with two other friends and open La Estancia Argentina, a chain of gourmet shops with an Argentine flair; appealing also to non-Argentines, offering grass-fed beef, chocolates, coffee from Italy, beer from Germany and other treats from around the world. We opened our first store in Aventura in 2003, one year after, our second location in Coral Gables, were we hired a retired Argentine butcher to teach the team all the important tricks. Our butchery offered prime beef cuts, homemade sausage, Milanesa and other Argentinean delicacies. In 2007 we opened our third location in Miramar.
On November 2016, we officially opened a new store at the Shops of Civica across from the Jackson Memorial Hospital campus in Miami’s Health District. We were thrilled to share our irresistible baked empanadas (Miami New Times’ Best Empanadas Winner on, 2010, 2013, and 2017) to a bigger segment of the Miami community. This new space features a wide-open kitchen; where guests can watch chefs expertly churn out specialty Argentinean dishes at a moment’s notice. The dark wood tables and chairs serve as a warm and inviting counterpoint to the gleaming white subway tiles on the walls and the polished concrete below. A massive wooden wine wall beckons thirsty tipplers with varietals from Argentina—and all over the world, a much modern and elegant store compared to previous locations.
At this moment we are working in our third location in Hallandale, looking forward to open it next year.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been more like a roller coaster, the biggest struggle has been the delays to open new stores, and with every new location we have been force to allow more time than what we think to open the business.
Expanding the chain has been harder than expected. Between hurricane delays and differing rules among municipalities, store debuts have taken longer and cost more than anticipated.
Please tell us about La Estancia Argentina.
La Estancia Argentina is a unique Argentinean bistro-style restaurant, where every dish has been designed according to a classic Southern heritage.
Since 2001, we have redefined the concept of Argentinean grill; passing on our passion for food and drink. A casual ambience blends with our regional cuisine, offering an incredible experience. Empanadas our big stars, we have been chosen Miami New Times’ Best Empanadas Winner on, 2010, 2013, and 2017.
Guests are welcomed to linger over the Picada Quixote featuring serrano ham and manchego cheese, as well as slices of Tortilla Española. For those with a heartier appetite, a bowl of the daily soup paired with the Milanesa a Caballo, a classic dish of breaded veal topped with a crispy fried egg, or a parillada of assorted grilled meats and veggies more than fits the bill.
The bakery features both sweet and savory temptations, ranging from the aforementioned baked empanadas stuffed with either ham and cheese, chicken, tuna or beef to the luscious Balcarce composed of pound cake, Dulce de leche, whipped cream and peaches.
The cafe also boasts a grab-and-go market with salads, sandwiches and prepared hot foods. We feature an exquisite butchery were you can pick up everything you need for a true Argentinean barbecue: fresh meats, cut the way you like it; house made chimichurri; bread; gourmet cheeses, mate (herb tea), sandwiches, dried goods from the homeland; and off course massive wine racks beckons thirsty tipplers with varietals from Argentina, and all over the world.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
The best memories comes from soccer: You can play it in the streets, you can play it at the corner, or you can play on a team, In Argentina, soccer is a very big day for pizza or empanadas.
Pricing:
- Regular Empanadas $2.50
- Premium Empanadas $3.00
Contact Info:
- Address: Aventura
17870 BISCAYNE BLVD.
Aventura, FL — 33160
305 932 6477Health District
1050 NW 14TH ST.
2nd Floor, Miami FL — 33136
305 548 5000 - Website: http://www.laestanciaweb.com
- Phone: 305 932 6477 / 305 548 5000 (Health District)
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laestancia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaEstanciaArgentina/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-estancia-argentina-aventura
Image Credit:
Macarena Burbano, Jenn Jensen
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