September, 2004 Urban Latino - NYCaracas By Anthony Andrade New York Venezuelans have always been known for cooking good food, but in New York there are few places to appreciate their culinary delights. Thankfully, less than a year ago the husband and wife team Maribel Araujo and Aristides Barrios opened Caracas Arepa bar, a tiny jewel in the East Village. The cozy spot that seats about 10 people makes for great cross-conversations and meeting new friends. The staffs is friendly and accommodating. An open view kitchen and a four seat counter add the warm, rustic feel of the place. Venezuela's national dish is the arepa, a corn flour cake split in the middle and stuffed with a variety of flavorful fillings. One of the most flavorful is el pabellón, a delicious blend of shredded beef, sweet plantains, and black beans. If you love cheese, try the domino with black beans and white salty cheese melted to perfection. For those looking for a little meal try the reina pepiada (nicely seasoned chicken mixed with avocado). Vegetarians will love the vegan deluxe with portobello mushrooms mixed with sautéed tofu. Most of the arepas taste even better when the house sauces are added. Two drinks stand out at Caracas. One is the papelón con limón, a refreshing sugar cane juice with lemon that's excellent for cooling off after a day of shopping in the trendy neighborhood stores and chicha, a rice-derived beverage mixed with a touch of cinnamon. Ask about daily specials which round out a thorough menu, but the real stars here are the arepas.