So I've always passed by this little joint on the way to my local waitrose and back home. I'm always on the other side of the street and it never fails but an enticing aroma always catches my attention. From the outside its very unassuming little cafe. From the inside is about the same just some dinner style table and chairs. Well one rainy day I was actually on the same side of the street as the shop and that great aroma called to me again. My intention was to go grab lunch elsewhere, but when I saw the place was a bit slow I figured it would be a good time to try it. I like to try restaurants when they just opened or when slow just in case I have tons of questions to ask to the server of if I need some time to peruse thru the menu without being rushed.
Now for the food. I knew this place was a Latin American restaurant but not sure what type. I wanted something warming and with a little heat. This place seems to hit the spot. I ordered the Arepas con todos ( beef, chicken, crispy pork belly) . The Arepas is like a corn fritter/pancake and for £5.00 this was topped to the brim with meat. It was delicious and more than I expected. I also asked for some empanadas to take away which was excellent. I now wish I had eaten them there as they were slightly crispy when I ate them 2 hours later and would have been even better if I had eaten them there. Great filling of shredded beef and I believed either yucca or potato inside. I ate them with their chili sauce which is like a vinegar pico de gallo sauce that everyone seemed to spoon in there soups and rice dishes. There is also the Mambo Lemonade was also a great refreshing lemonade that made me think of a mojito slushy but with a great fruit topping . I sat there for an hour and around 1:00 was when the place started filling up. Many seemed to have come in for the soup. I will certainly be back to try out some more. It seemed that everyone who came there where there for the traditional dishes, but they do serve a full English, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and even burgers. If you want to try something authentic stick to the traditional Colombian dishes and be adventurous. For me it was just what I was craving. I will be stopping by here for some take away for dinners for sure. read more