Juan Luis Martínez’s casual concept is finally up! It took Merito’s chef over six months to finally consolidate Clon, a place where the Venezuelan chef will use more of his heritage and offer some of the greatest hits of Merito.
“During the evolution of Merito, some of our classic plates don’t fit with where we are now; Clon will house them and will include its own identity and great cocktails,” Martinez said during a meal, trying some of the plates.
The raw architecture of Clon is designed by Astro Studio, a firm that previously worked on the Merito expansion. Brick-exposed walls, high-quality wood, an open kitchen area and bar, natural light, and an eclectic playlist create the right ambiance.
The food starts at lunch with a menu that, as any new restaurant, needs to be fully set, an exploration determined by the season and the customers.
This season, Juan Romero, the chef in charge of the Cuisine, recommended we try their fried chicken sandwich, everything from bread to homemade relish; the burger goes the same route: a sweet bun, house-made pickles, special sauce, and high-quality meat.
Try Kale and rutabaga with hazelnuts and parmesan if you want a fresh salad. A fresh ceviche is always great, even better for the summer. Clon’s ceviche apaltado is creamy and packed with flavor. Main courses are classic Merito as the grilled fish.
For dessers the iced mashua is a play on textures of this peruvian tuber, and a Merito Staple, the Flan.
THE LIQUID EXPERIENCE
Clon Liquid experience is powered by Gabriela Leon and Alonso Palomino from Lady Bee, a mix of classic cocktails such as the Old Fashion or Negroni, and specials like their high balls Miso and cucumber with whiskey or honey and spices with gin that can also be made as a non-alcoholic cocktails.
The Isla Margarita is a call to Venezuela’s Margarita Island, presenting a Margarita with dashi salt. A must-try is the Flan de Merito cocktail, a mind-blowing cocktail with a rum base that resembles the Merito’s staple dessert.
EVERYDAY LUNCH
Clon is absorbing the best of both worlds. On the one hand, it is keeping some of the original Merito plates; on the other hand, it will offer a no restrains menu with a so-needed everyday lunch menu that will change weekly offering always a new thing.
IN THE KNOW: Clon is located on 203A Almte. Miguel Grau Avenue, Barranco, open Monday to saturday for lunch an dinner 12:30–3:30 PM, 7–10:30 PM
