colombian restaurants

[zack]

I have been to numerous restaurants in Colombia at various cities and have noticed one universal truth. Although it is easy to find a restaurant with good food, it seems like most have slow service, and the waiters/watresses are not as friendly, at least compared to the American restaurants. Has anyone else noticed this? Even when I go to a top-notch restaurant, the food is great, but I often need to flag down my waiter to get a coke refill, or the check. Maybe they don't like gringos, or maybe I went to the wrong restaurants.

I am not trying to slam Colombia. I love it there which is why I keep returning. But if anyone knows of a restaurant with great food AND great service, please let me know. Cali, Bogota, and BQ please.

Zack

[cancunhound]

... in response to colombian restaurants, posted by zack on Aug 20, 2003

I'm probably going to butcher the name and location, but I recently checked out a new one in the South called something like "Maria La Mentirosa" - it was located on the east side of Cl. 13, north of Pasoancho - if I had to guess the cross street is around Cr. 74?  Anyway it's very obvious because it's one of the largest "palapa" type structures I've ever seen - it's worth checking out just to admire the timber that went into the construction of it.  It's only been open a couple of months - maybe someone currently in Cali can peg the exact address?  I'm going to make a point to start grabbing business cards as  posting a recommendation without an exact address is not very usefull.

Anyway, my "baby beef" was very good - service was slow but I think they were ironing out the kinks, it was crowded as it was the "new" place to be.  Beer choices sucked - not a good selection of national so I had to go with the likes of imported.  They had a sunken area where the bar was located and equipped with big screens for soccer.  Some single gals in that area - otherwise it was just a great place to chill with friends in the evening, chomp on a steak, down something cool and shoot the sh%t.  Obviously no A/C, so it's an evening joint.  I will return as it's a piece of work and basically my kind of joint.  I went midweek but it appeared they had a setup that could include music on the weekends.  Price was moderate to high by Cali standards, decent dress was in order.  I'll second those earlier Cali suggestions like Cali Viejo.  Cali's got alot of good restaraunts - my problem is escaping the maid's cooking when I'm there to get out and explore 'em.

I haven't noticed a service issue generally in Cali - but as another poster preaches - 'this 'aint Kansas anymore'

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to A recent one in Cali, posted by cancunhound on Aug 20, 2003

The restaurant to which you are refering is called "Maria Mentiras". It is owned by the same ppl as Simon Parilla and thus you will notice the resemblance.

I liked it to and was impressed by the structure. It can be a hot spot on the weekend when many ppl go there to drink beers but during the week it is nice a quite. I think this sort of open air Parilla type joint could be real successful in the USA.

[pablo]

... in response to colombian restaurants, posted by zack on Aug 20, 2003

[This message has been edited by pablo]

If you want impeccable service as well as great food the 'La Fragata' in the Bogota "World Trade Center" is a good choice.  An added nice feature at this restaurant is that the seating area slowly rotates 360 degrees giving a nice panoramic view of the city.  (Only about 5 stories high, but still a great romantic view.) Garlic shrimp is delicious.

Another 5 star restaurant is the 'El Bunguer' at Calle 101 18-18.  No view like La Fragata, but very romantic, delicious food, great wine, and superb service. Same killer garlic shrimp and seafood.  Both these places are very nice and will impress any special lady.  You can't go wrong at either place, but I would rate the Bunguer a notch higher overall, but then again, it might have been the great dinner date I was with at the time.  Their wait staff exceeded most American fine dining places I have patronized.

The 'Cafe Jengibre' at Cra 11 107 42 (one block behind the LAI agency), not nearly as pretentious as the above restaurants and is only open for lunch.  Try the fresh salmon if available.  Nice french pressed coffee.  Great staff and very personable.  If you want to go somewhere for lunch after an agency interview this is ideal.  I prefer this establishment over the Crepes place.

The Galloping Gourmet.

[DOMINGUIN]

... in response to Re: colombian restaurants, posted by pablo on Aug 20, 2003

The 'Cafe Jengibre' at Cra 11 107 42 (one block behind the LAI agency),

Yes, Pablo is right, an absolutely perfect place for coffee/sitas and first date luches, I went there 4 or 5 times within a few days, each time with a different woman and the waiters never gave it away, I think they are very used to gringos coming in with Colombianas.

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Re: colombian restaurants, posted by DOMINGUIN on Aug 21, 2003


Yes Dominguin,

You are correct, besides the good service and great food, they know the word is mum when bringing another lady to their cafe.  LAI has spoken with them and they know where these gringos are coming from.  I won a prize for the best dressed costume at one of the parties that LAI was throwing once and much to my delight the gift was dinner for two at this restaurant.  I never got tired of that place.  It surprises me they are only open for lunch.

Pablo

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to colombian restaurants, posted by zack on Aug 20, 2003

I don't know, I kind of like Colombian restaurants because the waiter is like your own personal servant. You can request absolutely anything and keep calling the guy over to the table to request the most trivial of things and they will never get an actitude. What I mean is that waiters know their role. They know that there job is to serve. Not like in NY where every waiter is an aspiring actor or comedian and thinks there too damn good to be serving table. Colombian waiters might not give you all the friendly, smily BS, but they will be damn sure they get you what you need when you need it. This has been my experience in Cali. Even more so when you are at a bar with friends. You can ask for more water, ice, juice, beers, whataver, and your waiter will bring it right over.

[zack]

... in response to Re: colombian restaurants, posted by CaliAdvisor on Aug 20, 2003

You said "You can request the most trivial of things and they never get an attitude...they know what their role is."

That may be true, but the problem is, I almost always need to request it. They rarely come to my table on their own
and ask how everything is, give refills, etc.

Personally, I would rather have an "aspiring actor" who is on top of things than "my own personal servant" who serves
only when called upon.

Zack

[Cali James]

... in response to Re: Re: colombian restaurants, posted by zack on Aug 20, 2003

I used to stop in at Karen's pizza on Sexta just about every night.  It didn't matter who the waitress was but they just weren't attentive.  They'd never offer to get me another drink after it was obvious the first glass was gone.  I'd have to ask, just as I'd have to ask for the check.  I went through the same routine for months, the waitresses who new me well by then, just never got it. They don't seem to anticipate needs well.

But to be fair, I've been to expensive restaurants in Cali where the waiters are definitely more attentive.

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to colombian restaurants, posted by Cali James on Aug 20, 2003

The reason they didn't bring you the check without asking for it is because this is considered very rude to do this in most of the world except the USA.

A restaurant is supposed to be a place where you can eat your food and then just sit there for hours and hours afterwards just talking, drinking cofee or whatever. They should NEVER bring you a check without you asking for it. It is not like the US where they want to shuttle you out the door so they can fill the table. I have had friends from South America come to the USA and think that the waiters are very rude because after they finish their food and the plates are cleared the waiter shows up with the check.

[zack]

... in response to Re: colombian restaurants, posted by CaliAdvisor on Aug 21, 2003

Interesting point. I did not know that. At least I now know why I always have to ask for the check. But it still would be nice if they were a lot more attentive.

Zack

[Cali James]

... in response to Re: colombian restaurants, posted by CaliAdvisor on Aug 21, 2003

I understand what you're saying about the check however I still think the typical waitress is far less attentive than one here in the States.  They also have a tendency to leave you stranded at your table for long lengths of time. How can I ask for a new drink or a check for that matter when they just disappear or rarely look your way.

[cancunhound]

... in response to colombian restaurants, posted by Cali James on Aug 20, 2003

That's another good one - for delivery, very different pizza than what's found in Texas.

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to colombian restaurants, posted by zack on Aug 20, 2003

I like to go to Paladar on Avenida Sexta in Cali.  It's a self-service, cafeteria-style restaurant, but very elegant upstairs.  You can be at your table eating in 5 minutes.  They have a large selection of meats and vegetables.  For my taste it is as delicious as any restaurant I've ever been to.  And there's almost always some beautiful, upper class Caleñas eating there.

Steve

[jim c]

... in response to Re: colombian restaurants, posted by DallasSteve2 on Aug 20, 2003

I think Paladar is one of the best restaurants in Cali. It is run by a swiss family and the desserts are to die for. I have mentioned this before but the area west of the Dann and the Inter is called El Penon (the rock). It has about fifteen restaurants in a five block area ranging from lebonese, french, chinese, japanese, italian, mexican,indian and more. Peter from Blues bros was half owner of the indian restaurant. In the daytime try clowns it has the best arab pancake sandwiches, example chicken and asperagras gouda cheese served warm,HUGE, with Fresh grape juice, delicious 12,000.  At nght you also have obilisko which is in El penon and has tables outside, along the river, very Romantic. On sunday afternoon the art show in the circular park right in the middle of the neighborhood. If you walk accross the bridge to the other side of the river there is a ventolini and about five other resaurants and a block down to the east is Dukes a three story club that specializes in american jazz and oldies like ray charles, jimmy durante, billy joel and harry connick jr. Drinks are a little high but the atmosphere is vey hip san francisco ( brick walls, plants, old photos and antiques. Great place to talk romance with a lady. jim c