New restaurant: Venezuelan-American restaurant opens with gourmet cafe, bakery

Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·2 min read

What's the name of the new restaurant in Port St. Lucie?

Aji Dulce Cafe Gourmet

Where is Aji Dulce?

  • 1042 S.W. Bayshore Blvd., Port St. Lucie, in the LTR Exquisite Shoppes plaza, just south of Lakehurst Drive

  • Former location of Machu Picchu Restaurant, which opened a second location in May 2023 on East Torino Parkway and closed its first location in August 2023

Who owns Aji Dulce?

Husband-and-wife team Dave Shaw and Carolina Chopite own the restaurant. They are from Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to Miami five years ago before they moved to Port St. Lucie last year. "We just want to give to the people the best experience of the Venezuelan and American food," said Carlo Chopite, who runs the restaurant with his mom, who is a chef, and his stepdad.

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What kind of restaurant is Aji Dulce?

Aji Dulce is a Venezuelan-American restaurant with a bakery and cafe.

What's on the Aji Dulce's menu?

  • Empanadas: beef, chicken, cheese or shrimp ($4.50)

  • Breakfast sandwiches: Aji Dulce, American or Venezuelan ($13.50-$15.50)

  • Pastas: lasagna, chicken pot pie, salmon bowls, chicken Parmesan or asado negro ($15.50-$23.50)

  • Salads: Aji Dulce, Caesar or grilled chicken ($10.50-$13.50)

  • Hamburgers: beef, grilled chicken or salmon ($14.10-$16.25)

  • Sandwiches: meat, tuna salad, grilled chicken or prosciutto and mozzarella ($10.50-$13.75)

  • Hot baked pastry: chicken, ham and cheese, beef, cheese or spinach and cheese ($4.50)

  • Soups: pumpkin, chili or chicken noodles ($9.20-$9.80)

  • Breads: sweet or cachitos ($3.50-$8.50)

  • Sides: fries, rice, black beans, sweet plantains or sweet potato fries ($2.99-$4.49)

  • Pastries: palmier, bomba (beignets with cream) or madeleines ($1.50-$5.50)

  • Croissants: plain, almond or Nutella ($3.99-$5.50)

  • Pies & tarts: lemon pie, apple pie or crème brûlée ($6.50-$9.30)

  • Cakes: lemon, pineapple, cheese or banana ($6.25-$9.80)

  • Cookies: chocolate chip, brownie, macadamia, double chocolate or oats and raisins ($7.50-$8.80)

Aji Dulce Cafe Gourmet in Port St. Lucie features breakfast sandwiches on its menu.
Aji Dulce Cafe Gourmet in Port St. Lucie features breakfast sandwiches on its menu.

When did Aji Dulce open?

Feb. 12, 2024

What are Aji Dulce's hours?

7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

What are Aji Dulce's phone number, website and social media?

772-353-5640, Website, Instagram

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New restaurant: Aji Dulce Cafe Gourmet opens in Port St. Lucie