New North Fork Eatery, Latin Fuzion, A Family's Dream Come True

SOUTHOLD, NY — A new eatery, Latin Fuzion, opened Friday at the Feather Hill shopping plaza in Southold — and from the first moment guests step inside, they are greeted by not only delicious fare but the genuine warmth of a family for whom the restaurant symbolizes a dream come true.

Owner Justo Choquin, a familiar face on the North Fork who lives in Southold and who has worked previously at the former Michelangelo's in Cutchogue and at Lenny's of Jamesport, where he was the chef for three years, said having his own business has long been a dream.

"I have a passion for food," he said. "I just love cooking."

(Lisa Finn)

The menu at Latin Fuzion features a wide array of delectable dishes, including tacos, enchiladas, fajita platters, and burritos — and entrees including arroz con pollo, BBQ pulled pork, chipotle shrimp, seafood paella, carne asada, pollo en salsa verde, Brazilian skewer shrimp and steak Amazonia.

Some recipes are influenced by his time in California, where, he said, "the food was just phenomenal. I probably gained 20 lbs. while I was there, tasting everything. And I thought, 'I have to bring this back with me.'"

Perhaps his favorite dish to prepare, Choquin said, is the Caribbean shrimp platter, because it features his homemade warm mango salsa.

The salsas offered at Latin Fuzion are all homemade and mouthwatering, in four varieties including pico de gallo, green tomatillo, regular tomato salsa an the warm mango salsa.

While many of his menu items now are Tex-Mex, Choquin, who came to the United States from Guatemala in 2000, plans to introduce Guatemalan choices in the coming days; other items to be featured soon include tamales wrapped in banana leaves.

His recipes, Choquin said, are precious, because they are deeply rooted in family and tradition, made by his mother and his wife.

(Lisa Finn)

And it's clear, from the first moment inside the restaurant, that family is the heart of Latin Fuzion — the love behind the dream.

Choqin works alongside his wife and business partner Vicky; he smiles lovingly when he describes tasting all her recipes. The couple has worked together, they said, for 12 years.

"This is his dream," Vicky said. "I'm just here to support him."

The couple's faces suffuse with pride as their boys Edgar, 12, and Justin, 6, run into the eatery after their day at Southold Schools; their niece, Ariana, also helps behind the counter after school. Other family members pitch in during the weekend, too, Vicky said.

One of the reasons why he was so happy to find a location in Southold, Choquin said, was so he could be near his home and his children's school. The upstairs of the building is devoted to a space where the boys can do homework and play, he said — close to their parents.

"The restaurant business has long hours," he said. "I wanted to be close to my family."

The space, the former location of the longtime Robert's Jewelers, he said, was the perfect spot to open his business. "I fell in love with this place. The location, the structure of the building, the sidewalks outside."

And, he said, love for his work and his family is infused, along with the quality ingredients, in every dish he prepares. "Everything comes from our hearts — our family," he said.

Latin Fuzion, which is open 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., seven days a week, is located at 53345 Main Road in Southold. For additional information, call (631) 407-5600.