Rooftop chic comfort dining at San Salvador’s Ceache

On a delightfully warm evening, after checking out the many cultural aspects of El Salvador’s capital square, it was time for dinner overlooking it all at Ceache. I was happy to be hosted to experience it!

It’s easy to see why the place is popular with San Salvador’s young professionals. It’s romantic without being furtive or uncomfortable. Indeed, I spied a couple of networking groups. Dress is “smart” and pop covers play in the background. It was hopping on a Sunday night and you never see that at home! It is not pretentious at all. The cuisine is fresh, local and versions of their familiar — but new to me! — comfort food.

Here is yet another destination that takes great pride in their mocktails. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the occasional cocktail, but if I’m in an unfamiliar city, it’s a little humid, I’m scrambling up volcanos during the day, I’m gonna be a little circumspect. That, plus I’m having all kinds of breads and fruits . . . some of us have that Wilford Brimley thing going on.

The Purple Citrus has fresh blueberries and lemon. Within about a blink of an eye, mine was gone. Highly recommended.

El Salvador’s seafood is fresh and incredible, so I decided to try something that would usually be from frozen back home: octopus. Grilled octopus is sauced with butter, soy and sesame oil, for a bit of an Asian kick. It’s garnished with truffle aioli, arugula salad and criolla sauce, which is similar to pico de gallo.

If you’re craving a substantial and decadent snack, Glazed Fries is for you. The fries are served with pork belly glazed in panela honey, truffle aioli and shaved Asiago cheese. It’s fork food, for sure.

Yes, we can find horchata back home in the US, but each area has its distinct take on it. Frozen horchata is excellent in warm weather. In El Salvador, they blend seeds from their unique type of pumpkin called morro, rice and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa. Unlike Mexican horchata, the Salvadorans prefer all natural, no corn syrups, with a touch of a savory taste.

The view!