DINING FEATURE
3 OWNER FAVORITES
MY COUNTRY NEVER PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE HERE. I LOVE MY CULTURE, AND I LOVE THIS COUNTRY. ARI SLIVA, OWNER
The tres leches latte ($6) combines condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk, and can be served iced or hot.
The Cocosette latte ($6) is made with coconut and dulce de leche and can be served as an iced or hot drink.
Blended Bistro & Co ee Bar opened March 12, 2021, and operates out of a mobile food trailer in Conroe. (Photos by Peyton MacKenzie/Community Impact)
BY PEYTON MACKENZIE Blended Bistro & Co ee Bar Food truck brings Venezuelan avors, co ee menu to Conroe spot G rowing up in Venezuela, Ari
The empanadas ($10.50) come in either beef or chicken. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.
lattes. However, Sliva said she adds an American twist. She said she wanted to share her homestyle food but didn’t want to shock American palates. “I base all of my food on things I tried before, things my mom used to cook, things that are traditional Venezuelan, but I’m also married to a white guy,” Sliva said. “So because we are a blended family, that is where the name came from.” Although she moved to the U.S. 15 years ago, Sliva was approved for U.S. citizenship in March 2022. Sliva said when she came to America she pursued her master’s degree, never believing she would be able to also pursue her passion for food. “My country never provided the
opportunities that I have here,” Sliva said. “I love my culture, and I love this country.” Sliva said she hopes to open a brick-and-mortar storefront, which would still o er Latin-infused food but with a more elaborate menu than what can be o ered in the food truck. Sliva said once designated as a women-owned business by the state—which she plans to apply for soon—she could receive federal funding, will look for an investor and then will begin looking for a possible permanent location. “My concept is where you get good food, you get good co ee,” Sliva said. “I feel like if I can get a good cup of co ee at the end of my meal, I will be happy.”
Sliva had a passion for the culinary arts but said she never had the opportunity to pursue it in her home country. Fifteen years after moving to the U.S., Sliva is an American citizen and pursuing her dreams through her food truck, Blended Bistro & Co ee Bar, which opened in March 2021. Blended Bistro & Co ee Bar oper- ates in a semipermanent location in Conroe o North Frazier Street. Previously, the co ee truck was at a site in Montgomery. The eatery serves up classic Ven- ezuelan dishes such as empanadas and arepas as well as a full co ee bar that o ers Venezuelan-inspired
Blended Bistro & Co ee Bar 539 N. Frazier St., Conroe 713-907-9634 Facebook: Blended Bistro and Co ee Bar Hours: Tue.-Fri. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 5-8 p.m.; Sat.-Mon. closed; available for private events Saturdays
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION • MAY 2023
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