Hampshire couple brings Argentine, Italian heritage and love of hospitality to new Elgin tapas and wine bar
Calling it the culmination of a “lifelong dream,” a Hampshire couple is opening a new tapas and wine bar in downtown Elgin to share their love of food, drink and hospitality.
Elizabeth Barrientos and her husband, Guillermo, are bringing SUR Barrels & Boards to Dream Hall at 51 S. Grove Ave. They’ll host a grand opening on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
“I’m Argentine-Italian, so our life is about food,” Elizabeth Barrientos said. “I’ve always hosted. Anybody comes over, we take out a board and start cutting salami, cheese and olives, and we eat.”
Barrientos spent years working for nonprofits as a child advocate, most recently with CASA Kane County. She said she frequented the food hall when working in the field.
“I loved it. It just felt like community. It felt like I could be here all day,” she said. “I like the vibe and like what they do.”
SUR is upstairs in the food hall, in the space formerly occupied by Lounge 51. The room features a long bar and several areas with chairs and couches or barrel tables with stools.
Barrientos said she doesn’t have any professional restaurant experience, but her house always has been the “gathering place” for family and friends. She wants her restaurant customers to feel like guests in her home.
“I’ve been told I’m really good in the kitchen, and I love seeing people’s expressions when they eat my food,” she said. “When someone says they love it, that just fills me up. I know it sounds stupid, but that’s the reason why I want to do this.”
The food menu consists of small plates that reflect the way she entertains at home. It’s highlighted by, as the name would imply, charcuterie boards. Boards feature a selection of artisan meats, cheeses, seasonal fruit, olives, nuts, spreads and more.
Pinsa Romana, which are essentially flatbreads, are made with Barrientos’ homemade dough and baked into a light, airy crust. She offers five varieties.
Other shareable bites include Gauchitos — toasted crostini topped with slow-cooked brisket, arugula and chimichurri. They also offer cheeses baked in cast iron skillets and served with crostini.
The bar will highlight wines from Italy and Argentina, including some on tap, which Barrientos said are “easy on the palate and easy on the pocket.” Those wines also are used in house-made sangrias.
The cocktail menu leans into the couple’s heritage with some Argentine staples, including the El Clásico of Fernet and Coke and El Diego, concocted with sweet vermouth, Coke, and a splash of whiskey.
SUR also offers a traditional Argentine mate tea service, which can be served hot or iced.
Wednesday’s grand opening will include a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m., followed by a wine tasting. There also will be live music, free appetizers and some giveaways.
“I’m just excited,” Barrientos said. “This is something totally different for me. I’ve been working for a very long time. So to do something like this for myself, this is very exciting. Scary, but exciting.”
rwest@dailyherald.com