Whoa, what a year, am I right? In our last blog, COVID-19 was just a blip on our radar, and we looked at how it was changing the spaces that we frequent, and making us all stop and think about the spaces that we occupy. Space has been one of the many things COVID-19 has impacted. But today, I want to talk about something positive, something that not even a global pandemic can dampen.
Our Journey continues with a name.
Leonore
Leonore is the name of a fantastic restaurant in downtown Roanoke, but also, Leonore is a person. Miguel Liendo is the proud owner of Leonore, and when I visited, he shared a story that really resonates with me. Miguel was living in South America, while his mother and his siblings were living in the United State. When his mother, Leonore, was diagnosed with cancer, he moved to the United States to be with her for however long she had.
“I was lucky to enjoy two more years with her.”
Miguel reflects fondly on learning to cook in his family kitchen in Venezuela as a child, alongside his mother and brother. When he came to the United States, he worked with his siblings at their restaurant, Grace’s Place, across town. It was there that he learned to cook for a community. When he branched off on his own, he stuck to what he knew, Italian food. Italian food is as much his heritage as the traditional Venezuelan fare he eventually added to the menu. You see, after WWII, millions of European immigrants flooded South America, and brought their cuisines with them.
When Miguel opened his restaurant, he wanted to honor everything that created his passion for life: Venezuelan culture, Italian food, and his mother. That is when Leonore was born. Miguel now spreads his passion and fun loving nature through the restaurant, and the community, everyday.
Upon meeting him, you would never guess that Miguel has suffered any type of loss or hardship. Walking in the door, I was greeted with a wide smile and an unmatchable hospitality. Talking with him is such a positive experience and I left the place energized just by his presence. When I asked him what drives him, he didn’t hesitate, “making people happy with my food”.
And he isn’t kidding. When Miguel cooks for someone, he will linger nearby to see the reactions from people eating his food. He even does it at home with his family, waiting for that smile or nod of appreciation. Speaking of which, Miguel’s smile is infectious, exuding positivity and happiness. “Faces can say so much without uttering words” he told me. If that's not the truth!
While Leonore started as a strictly Italian restaurant, he began featuring traditional Venezuelan dishes, here and there. However, according to Miguel, Venezuelan food is about fun and variety, and his customers couldn’t get enough of it! When he started making arepas as a special item, that didn’t last long. Customers came clamoring for more and arepas soon made their way to the permanent menu.
The man has a SHIRT dedicated to these things. He made us one that he lovingly called “hairy beef”. The name describes the way the shredded beef looks, but who cares what it’s called, it tastes AMAZING! With the infinite array of arepas on Leonore’s menu, I am reminded of how culture is integral to a cuisine. One of the most popular arepas in Venezuela is the Reina Pepiada. Named after Venezuela's first Miss Universe. A title which, as Miguel points out, Venezuela holds the record for, having won 7 times since their first win in 1955.
This fun blend of culture, cuisines, and passionate staff, make Leonore one of the most unique restaurants in the area. In fact a large percentage of their returning customers never order the same thing twice! Miguel told me that Leonore not only gives him a job, but reignites his passion for food everyday. However, he doesn’t just use Leonore as his passion project, it is also a way that he gives back to the community. Leonore regularly participates in fundraisers for local organizations and Venezuela.
I conducted this interview shortly before COVID-19 became a world issue. Since then, you’ve seen business fall as, understandably, things have been hard. Restaurants have had to adapt, or close. Leonore’s variety and Miguel’s passion created an innovation that is getting them through this tough time. While closing their dining room to maintain the utmost safety for their staff and patrons, they have used social media and a great product to propel them through the pandemic. Sometimes takeout food can be underwhelming, but my wife and I can personally attest that that is not a problem when you get food from Leonore.
In my experience, through hardship comes an appreciation for life and those around you. You strive to be happier and pass that happiness to others. Be it through passion or your actions.
With a smile that brightens any room, and a passion to make people happy and help his community, I know for a fact that Miguel’s mother is proud of what her name has come to represent.
I want to thank Miguel and everyone at Leonore for inviting me into your culinary home! Please support your local restaurants in this time! Leonore is doing it right and would love to serve you! I would also like to give a big shout out to my wife Steph Reschka, for being an amazing editor and helping me organize my thoughts!
Thanks for all the likes, loves and shares!
-TR
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