Local lass Lisa Duval brought Venezuelan chef David Mavare – whom she met (and married) in Australia – back to her hometown of Caen. In January 2024, the pair opened Amalia, a green-toned, wood-clad Latin bistro that hit the ground running. Lisa’s warm, well-informed front-of-house energy and David’s fresh, vibrant cooking inspired by the women in his family, come together beautifully on the plate: light, spicy guacamole with red onions and plantain chips; already cult-favorite empanadas, stuffed one day with shredded beef, the next with octopus; a choripán (let’s call it a hot dog) of barbecued chorizo and halloumi, lifted with pico de gallo, chimichurri and crisp cassava chips that’ll leave you wanting more; juicy boneless chicken thigh, cooked sous vide then oven-roasted, served with asparagus, peas and a sunny turmeric purée; before indulgent desserts like a tres leches – a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk (whole, condensed, evaporated), with a swirl of dulce de leche and mango; or chocolate tart topped with mango whipped cream. · Edgar Funkel

FEELING THIRSTY? A clear South American accent, from cocktails (Tequila Margarita with Aperol, coconut juice and lime, €9), spirits (Secha de la Silva Guatemalan rum, Volcan de Mi Tierra Mexican tequila, €6-25 for 40 ml), plus a dozen wines by the glass: Serbal, an Argentinian Viognier; Bicicleta, a Chilean biodynamic chardonnay; a Chilean carménère from Domaine Tarapaca; or Las Brujas, an Uruguayan tannat (€6-8 per glass, €29-42 per bottle).

PRICE: Set menu €19-23 or €26 (lunch), à la carte €33-50.