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May 8, 2024

West Hartford’s Coracora to expand, move flagship upscale dining to Blue Back Square

Contributed Coracora's current location at 162 Shield St. in West Hartford.
By Andrew Larson

Nationally acclaimed Peruvian restaurant Coracora in West Hartford is expanding, with plans to open a new “fast casual” eatery at its current location and move its flagship, upscale restaurant to Blue Back Square.

Coracora’s new location will be at 51 Isham Road, the former Rosa Mexicano restaurant, which recently closed.

Meanwhile, Coracora will turn its current location, at 162 Shield St., into a “fast casual offering.” 

The restaurant announced that the changes will occur “later this year,” but did not provide a specific date.

Coracora was a James Beard semifinalist in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and a finalist for “outstanding restaurant” and “best chef in New England” in 2022.

The prestigious James Beard awards honor exceptional talent in the culinary industry across the United States.

Also, Coracora was named “best restaurant in Connecticut” by the Connecticut Restaurant Association last year.

The family-owned restaurant is now in its second-generation of leadership, with sisters Macarena Ludena, who is the chef, and co-owner Grecia Ludena at the helm.

Their parents, Luisa Jimenez and Hector Ludena, who immigrated from Coracora, Peru, opened the restaurant in 2011. They transformed a former McDonald’s into what is now a high-quality eatery.

"We're excited to grow Coracora and become an integral part of West Hartford's vibrant Blue Back Square," said Grecia Ludena, co-owner of Coracora. "The upscale, vibrant scene there will perfectly complement Coracora’s new flagship location, and we can’t wait to enhance our existing and future customers' experiences."

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