Mesa Franca (Bogota, Colombia)

I almost missed experiencing the culinary flavors at Mesa Franca. Because I was using the cheapest price point available, my cab dropped me off at a location that was a short walk from the restaurant rather than at the door. I switched on my GPS and proceeded to pass the restaurant three times while my GPS was telling me, “you have arrived!”

I was about to say “f**k this!” and go to Arte Sano instead when I looked up. On the side of an old house on the corner of a quiet residential street, a small, trying-to-be-hip sign said MESA in a large font and Franca in a small font. My only criticism for Mesa Franca is that the hipster signage needs to be replaced!

Unlike the signage outside the building, I inside wonderfully unpretentious and welcoming ambiance.

My whole experience was one I still think of fondly many months later. The hostess asked me if I wanted to sit indoors or on the terrace - I chose the terrace. The restaurant had only a Spanish menu, and being that my Spanish is rudimentary at best, the waitress processed to translate for me.

I chose the Asian-flared salmon dish and a non-alcoholic drink I cannot remember because it was nothing special. However, the dish was phenomenal! The punch of flavor came from the restaurant’s take on the traditional green pico de gallo sauce. On top of that sauce lay baby bok choy, prepared to perfection and still crunchy. The salmon was lightly seasoned and pan-seared, then placed on top of the bok choy and topped with sautéed kale.

It was evident that the chef had thought through the ingredients, the interaction between the flavors, and the presentation. See for yourself below.

Yummy, right?!

#Colombia

#Bogota