Camino Sur is a new midtown restaurant serving the cuisines of South America in an eclectic setting showcasing food, theatre, music, art, design and architecture, in the Zipper Theatre complex at 336 West 37 Street. Located on Manhattan's West SIde, home to the city's garment trade and the theatre district, Camino Sur is open seven days a week for pre-theatre, dinner, late night and lunch.

Theatrical lighting throughout the space casts a warm, welcoming glow, beginning with the bar area entrance, on to the center stage, and the amber hued, glass-enclosed kitchen.

Here Larry Kolar, Camino Sur's executive chef, and his crew, cook dishes from Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Peru. The stage is used evenings for the preparation of empanadas.

Camino Sur with 180 seats and private dining facilities, occupies the former space of the Belt Theatre. It was adjacent to the Zipper which continues to feature theatrical productions, special events, comedy, and live music. Both venues first were used to manufacture zippers and belts.

Stunning iron work is much in evidence at the restaurant as it is throughout South America. This versatile metal provides a rustic yet sophisticated ambiance. The walls are finished in the timeless style of houses throughout the Andean region, and the sunny floor tiles are made of encaustic cement common to countries in this region. They are a direct inheritance from the Moorish civilization in Andalusia, Spain.

Slatted back ergonomic dining room chairs made of dark and light tropical woods, have suede seats which echo the colors of the tiles. Woven rich chocolate leather and cocoa colored wool cover banquettes.

Whimsical salamander plaques are placed around the restaurant. These creatures are abundant in South America and are considered good luck.

The three founders of Camino Sur are Charles McTiernan, partner of the Zipper Theatre, and Lee Davis and Andrew McTiernan, Zipper co-founders. Tom and Anne Truglio, are Camino Sur partners.

Mariana Suarez is the general manager of Camino Sur and German Calle is the beverage director.