On my recent trip to Hartford, I visited this place twice. The first time was with a few friends…read moreand the second time was on my own. There was a lovely, colorful outdoor area with seating, pretty murals, and lights strung up above. The interior was spacious, well organized, with a festive atmosphere, full of world flags for the World Cup. There were 2 floors and the lower level boasted local restaurants of all different types of cuisines, drink, and dessert spots. The upstairs area had multiple private dining rooms for large groups, which is first come, first serve.
I first went around the whole market to finally choose Colombian, however there was no one at the register, so I went next door to the Brazilian kiosk. I ordered the Surf and Turf, which consisted of steak, grilled shrimp, pineapple salsa, and sweet plantains. After I ordered my meal, I noticed that the Colombian place was open.
The Brazilian food was delicious though! Both the Steak and Shrimp had perfect grill marks. Steak was cooked well, but could have been more tender. Shrimp was succulent and well seasoned. The fried Sweet Plantains were so tasty! They were wonderfully soft and irresistibly caramelized.
For my drink, I got Horchata, which was a lovely balance of rice milk and cinnamon, with just the right amount of sweetness.
A couple days later, I stopped by again after my Living History tour at Mark Twain House and Museum. I finally was able to try the Bandeja Paisa from the Colombian spot. It was pretty good, but didn't fully meet my expectations. The meal included Fried Pork, Chorizo, Steak, Corn Cake, Fried Egg, Maduros, Rice and Beans, as well as Avocado. Since I prefer savory plantains, I requested either Plantain Chips or Tostones. The person at the counter indicated that would be fine, but still got Maduros. My favorite parts of the dish were Fried Pork, Chorizo, and Corn Cake. The Fried Pork was satisfyingly crispy, including the skin. Chorizo was juicy and boldly flavorful. Corn Cake was made expertly and had the perfect consistency.
I also got Ube and Taro Bubble Tea, which was delightful! It tasted coconutty and was a nice blend of the delicate flavors. The Boba was tiny sized, and had a wonderful chewiness to it.
Service was solid. Everyone seemed to be friendly and accommodating. Prices were reasonable. The venue only takes credit card, but I think there's a way to exchange cash. There were many other menu offerings that looked appetizing from Mediterranean, Thai, Peruvian, Hawaiian, BBQ, and more.
