In 2010, Lorena Marquez-Adaime decided to embark on a new adventure and moved to the United States in pursuit of a dream. The air was filled with the aroma of opportunity as she stepped into the bustling world of Mexican restaurants, where she began working as a waitress. It didn’t take long before she rose to a managerial role, but from the very beginning, her heart was set on owning her very own restaurant.
Her inspiration was deeply rooted in her childhood memories of Cafe Elite, her mother's restaurant in Colombia. The scent of her mother's cooking, rich with spices and warmth, lingered in the back of her mind. She always envisioned her mother as her business partner, knowing her recipes were nothing short of magical.
Her mother Mauren is a culinary maestro and a business administrator and with a master's degree from La SALLE University in Bogota, Colombia. So when Lorena proposed the idea of the two of them opening a restaurant together, Mauren packed her bags and moved to the US in 2019.
With Lorena's father Daniele also joining the venture, they decided to open Tostones on the Beach in Old Orchard Beach, a Colombian restaurant with plantains as the star ingredient. The idea was to create dishes that were not only delicious, but also easy for customers to enjoy on the go.
The salty breeze from the ocean mixed with the sizzling sounds from their kitchen as they experimented with creating the perfect menu. It was the start of something special, but like most business endeavors, it didn’t come without its challenges.
The kitchen was filled with the aroma of trial and error as they attempted to craft their dishes. Eventually, they perfected their recipes for plantain cones, corn empanadas, and corn arepas, focusing on 100% Gluten Free, and in June 2019, Tostones on The Beach opened its doors at Palace Playland.
The pandemic in 2020 brought new challenges, but Lorena and her family continued to push through. During that time, their once-bustling location at Palace Playland saw fewer visitors, and the future felt heavy with uncertainty.
In response to these difficulties, they decided to open a second, year-round location in Cape Elizabeth in November 2021 called Tostones Cafe. Here, the menu grew to include Venezuelan, Peruvian, Mexican, and Colombian dishes.
The location in Cape Elizabeth provided them with a homebase to learn and grow together as a family. Mauren delights in watching customers savor their homemade food. Her father found joy in the logistics and management, while Lorena cherishes the rich variety of flavors and the welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of Cafe Elite from her childhood.
Today, Tostones Cafe stands as a testament to the family's journey—a fusion of Latin American flavors with plantains at the heart. Each dish tells a story, a blend of tradition and innovation, crafted with love and a touch of elegance.
Despite the challenges they have faced, Lorena and her family are proud of their growth, and their business continues to thrive with each passing year. The aroma of success now fills the air, and serves as a reminder of their journey and the flavors they bring to our community.
