“BOGOTA Latin Bistro” Shines

Last night was one of those rare evenings that Jerry and I share anymore, where all the kids are out with their own plans, and we are left to our own devices. With the impending scare of the Blizzard of 2010 (we’ve been thankfully spared with a mere dusting!), we decided not venture too far from home, and after much buzz, headed out to BOGOTA Latin Bistro in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The restaurant looks deceptively small when you walk in, but after being lead through a narrowish (and very well attended!) bar, we entered a beautifully laid out restaurant filled with families as well as couples out on a date. As soon as we were seated, we were presented by not one, but three menus: one Main menu, a Specials menu, and a Drinks menu. I put on my glasses to settle down to read, Jerry and I ordered a drink, and we were treated to complimentary plantain chips with  a vinegary, spicy salsa for dipping. I’d say I was off to a good start!

These salty, spicy little nibbles were the perfect balance to Jerry’s smoky, but refreshing Michelada!

Jerry gets his Michelada on!

So we’re off to a good start. Our very cheerful waitress comes to take our order and suggests the Patacon con Todo, a twice fried, smashed green plantain (think tostones) topped with nicely seasoned, shredded beef, and grated cheese…hey, you don’t have to sell me! The Fritanga platter also, seemed to jump off them menu at me; as a lover of all things fried, a platter that includes pork and chicken chicharrones, sweet plantains, morcilla, and Colombian chorizo is a no brainer in my book!!

Patacon con Todo

Fritanga Platter…so good you’ll have to give it up in confession!!

As I’m ordering all of this, I start to feel the slightest amount of guilt, so I threw in the watercress and avocado salad, as well. Listen, it’s a salad, right?? Sure, Daisy…..whatever works for you!

Watercress- Avocado Salad

I can tell you without reservation, that the patacon was hot, crispy and delicious, and the beef was beautifully seasoned and moist…the cheese was the icing on the proverbial cake. The watercress salad was delicately dressed with a slightly sweet dressing that Jerry and I kept going back to.  Paired with the peppery bite of the watercress, I could have made a meal of that alone, but since I planned to blog this dinner, I had to take one for the team. Onward!!  The “plate full of fry” was yummy, although I  have to say that I like my chicharron more highly seasoned…think marinating it in vinegar and dry adobo to get a sparkly, salty fix in that hot and crispy chicharron. Everything was hot (which is a must on a fried platter!!), and Jerry said to me, “We just might have to take our entrees home, because I am stuffed!” The portions at BOGOTA are definitely Latin, “Daisy sized” portions!

Our entrees arrived in timely fashion (there was no lag in service), with Jerry’s Chicken Mole served with yellow rice and roasted corn was juicy, fragrant, and delicious. My Bandeja Paisa, with Carne Asada, arepa,  chicharron, white rice, black beans, maduros and a fried egg was enough food to feed a family of four. The beef was meltingly tender and cooked perfectly medium rare, and the black beans and rice are the ultimate comfort food. The strip of pork chicharron was crispy, but again…I like my chicharron a bit more seasoned. My boys made short work of the doggy bag, Jerry and I brought home!

Chicken Mole Platter

Colombian Bandeja Paisa

I’m not embarrassed to say that we ordered The Tres Leches Cake (faintly perfumed with almond extract) and a dessert of cheesecake filled taquitos ( I forget what they , and couldn’t find a “dessert” link on their online menu) that are kissed with cinnamon, and should be classified as illegal (they’re that good!!), and took them home. In retrospect, this was a good thing, because we made just enough room to dig in to them, as soon as we walked through the door…in fact, I forgot to take pics of them in my hurry to get to dessert!

Owners Farid Ali Lancheros and George Constantinou were gracious enough to stop by the table and say hello, and I don’t want to spill the beans or anything, but rumor has it that there might be a “Brunch with Daisy” at BOGOTA somewhere in the near future…stay tuned!!

BOGOTA Latin Bistro

141 Fifth Avenue @ St. John’s Place

Brooklyn, NY

718 230 3805   (Tell them Daisy sent ya!)

 George, Daisy and Farid at BOGOTA