Pictured: The pollo guisado from LQ on Main comes with three sides and expansive umami.

In much the same way that dashi serves as a base for a multitude of dishes in Japanese cuisine, sofrito does so for a number of Latin cuisines; and not “Latin” in the Spanish-speaking sense, but in the broader sense that includes the multitude of Caribbean and Latin American nations that trace their roots back to Spain, Portugal, Italy and even France. One such nation is Puerto Rico, whose own sofrito includes the same base of garlic, onion, peppers and tomatoes sauteed in olive oil with the unique additions of cilantro and sweet peppers. At LQ on Main—which opened where Barnacle Bill’s used to be and represents the downtown concept of Latin Quarters on Beneva Road—the potency of this palatable base is on full display with their pollo guisado.

The dish translates literally into “chicken stew” and is most often made with fattier cuts of chicken like thighs and legs. When these cuts are stewed with the aforementioned sofrito base along with potatoes, the result is a dish rich in umami. Though it could easily stand alone as a hearty stew served in a big bowl, the island nation, like it’s other Caribbean counterparts, champions big plates of diverse dishes. Great options at LQ on Main include arroz moro and tostones. Arroz moro is rice and black beans cooked together in the same pot, not to be confused with arroz con frijoles, which is rice and beans cooked separately. Tostones are twice-fried, smashed green plantains that result in a patty of crispy, salty, starchy goodness. An entrée at LQ includes three sides, so, get an additional side of veggies If you want to delude yourself into thinking you’ll have room for them.

 LQ on Main, 1526 Main Street, Sarasota. 941-362-0435.

Pictured: The pollo guisado from LQ on Main comes with three sides and expansive umami.