We are at the start of a new year, where we are purging any negativity from 2019, putting the lessons we have learned into action and making new resolutions. As I scrolled through social media, I observed that an abundance of people will strive to be better friends and partners, focus on emotional and physical wellness, and live in the now.
Cena Familiar, a farm-to-table dinner at Botanica Galactica, 719 S. 5th St., offers all of the above. The gathering is hosted by Mariyam Nayeri, owner and operator of Botanica Galactica, Dominique Alvarado of Algo Dulce and Michelle Alfaro of Bonafide Herbs and Tea.
Cena Familiar, or "family dinner," which takes place on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 7 to 10 p.m., is a culinary celebration of community, friendship, wellness, nourishment and amor. For $75, you can dine from a beautifully curated menu with vegan options, unwind with drinks, experience live music and dance the night away to a DJ afterset by Brujox Berto. The dress code calls for "holiday sparkle" as Milwaukee continues to ring in the new year.
Botanica Galactica sets the perfect mood for such a community gathering. Nayeri has done a stellar job of making Botanica a must-visit destination in Walker’s Point through hosting small business owner-driven markets, fitness classes and workshops, and restorative "Sanctuary Sundays."
Much like other Botanica events, Cena Familiar is a "celebration of roots," with each collaborator bringing a piece of their Latinx heritage to the table to share with all patrons. The menu screams deliciousness with dishes like pernil, and arroz de coco con gandules – traditional Latinx holiday cuisine. The dessert menu alone is mouth-watering, with buñuelos served with salted caramel ice cream or arroz con leche de coco (coconut) or almendras (almonds).
Cena Familiar creates a community home, albeit temporary, where visitors feast on great food, support multiple local entrepreneurs of color, create memories with family and old friends, and perhaps encounter new friends while you’re at it. For more information on Cena Familiar, check out the Eventbrite link. And make sure you follow their businesses (Botanica Galactica, Algo Dulce and Bonafide Herbs and Tea) on Instagram and tag them in your experience if you attend!
Krystal is a Milwaukee native, Marquette University alum (Go Marquette!) and has been a freelance writer for over ten years. With KDH_Creative, she continues to focus on being a multi-disciplinary creative in the areas of journalism, literature, film, marketing and public relations.
In her free time, she likes to explore the city as if she is a new transplant, to fall in love with Milwaukee all over again. She loves all things artistic such as theatrical productions, art galleries, film festivals and more. Her hobbies include playing in makeup, gardening, blogging, endlessly scrolling on Pinterest, taking romantic strolls through our public libraries and trying to learn guitar.
She's a #MamaBee of one, #MPSproud, #MontessoriAdvocate and thinks teachers are the real superheroes of the world.
Krystal is currently working on self-publishing her first book.
