Colombian typical, Bogotá

Went to this restaurant and was amazed at it size and design. The restaurant had trinkets galore. Very artsy and interesting. We ate some very good meat and chicken; juicy and savory. It was a bit on the expensive side but I lucked out of paying. There is a dance floor as well where I was introduced to the local dancing the young folks do at the clubs in Bogota. All in all, the food there is great and a must when visiting Bogota. The vibe is well worth it. People were dancing on the dance floor passing around a bottle of Arguardiente. Smiles and beautiful women!

Favorite Dish: the meat platter.

I really became a fan of this 'caramel' and tried another dessert type food as I tried the day before from the same place. walking and eatching around and eating. Police were petroling in the area, so I did feel secure.

After the restaurant by the highway, Daniel (read more about folks in Local Customs' section) drove somewhere nearby where we tasted as they call it Colombian specialty. Its kinda sweet skimmed milk stuffed with strawberry sauce and very tasty cramel cream (there is something more into it than caramel which is softer). I fount it the best in Colombia than some other South American countries. Will put the name later on. I recommend it to taste but watch out the fat!

While some folks ordered beef steak. came with bread. All I liked about the restaurant was that you could see some village folks around and a little hardship they live in this segregated society by wealth.

What I ordered was this. Soup with chicken. Five kinds of potatoes are used as the main ingredients as I was told accompanied by coriander leaves (Colobians call it something else) etc. with mayonized chiken on the top. Honestly I haven found that delicious soup in other country after Colombia. Just too good. Served in clay-pot with rice (!). I learnt you mixe the rice with soup! A bit weird and I guess too much of calorie consumption.

AREPAS!!!! ~ a type of turnover filled with cheese or meat or other. My fave is with cheese. There is a woman in La Candelaria who has been making and selling them outside her door almost every night for more than 15 years!?; they are 1000 pesos each. Sometimes they just hit the spot at the end of the day on the way home. She's about a block or so down the hill from the basketball courts.

CHOCOLATE!!!

AREQUIPE!!!

All kinds of breads ("pan") and goodies from the bakery! Some have arequipe in them, some are/have "bocadillo" they are both yummy.

I didn't try it on my trip (why not!?!?) but try AJIACO (a type of Colombian soup).

Do try some of the YOGHURTs -- they have way more types of yoghurt there (and also i noticed that in Mexico). The Alpinas brand was one that i tried (their production place is in a town called Sopó, about one hour's drive from Bogotá).

About dairy products: you will notice that many dairy products are not in coolers. At first I thought that was weird. The only thing is to ensure it's a pasteurized product. They are good!

Do also try the variety of fruits!!!! I LOVE THE MANGOS DE AZUCAR!!! Of course do be careful to choose ones with unbroken skin, etc., and wash with bottled or other water and or some bleach or whatever if you really want to be careful.

Hot Chocolate Santafereño style: this is hot chocolate, served with a kind of farmer's cheese. You put some in your hot chocolate and or eat some on the side. It's good!

Favorite Dish: N/A

When you are in Colombia you must definitely try 'Comida Santandereana' (Food from Santander)!
And don't miss out the 'hormigas' (ANTS!).

Favorite Dish: Next to the 'normal' food don't miss out the 'hormigas' (ANTS!). They are some kind of roasted. (Are they roasted or is it some other kind of preparation?)
They taste a bit too salty,I think, but others like this...at least you should try them once!!!
Don't feel sick, it's really not disgusting!!!

Keep an eye out for signs advertising Tamales. Corn based, along with spices and chicken (pollo), these are served hot wrapped in a large leaf