Bogotá

Can there be too many specialty coffee shops in Recoleta and Retiro? Apparently not. We recently reviewed Coffee Town (that specializes in coffee sourced from every corner of the globe) at its new location on Libertad, a block from the popular Import Coffee Company, which specializes in Italian roasted Illy coffee. Both broke the mold of the boring old school café with their sleeker and trendier décor and an emphasis on the coffee rather than the croissant.

Just a few blocks away at the corner of Plaza Vicente Lopez is another café putting the emphasis on the coffee. Bogotá puts the emphasis on Colombian coffee. But like those other cafés it breaks the mold on décor and service.

The owners of Bogotá turned to local graphic designer Pablo Porporato to create a graphic identity and to graphically portray the Colombian concept behind the restaurant. And, they display art from local artists, such as the large mural by Marta Minujín.

And the menu is more contemporary than your typical Argentine café. They offer a full menu at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is good and the service is friendly and attentive, utilizing staff of young waiters and waitresses clad in aprons bearing that Bogotá eagle logo.

This new approach is popular. The place is always filled with patrons, from age 18 to 80.

We’ve tried breakfast and lunch items. Scrambled eggs, the lomito sandwich, a steak, and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. Food and service have always been good and the young waiters and waitresses are friendly and efficient.

In addition to serving food, and, of course, coffee by the cup, Bogotá sells coffee beans and ground coffee by the bag.

Just another one of a slew of pleasant, contemporary cafés in a city full of stodgy old cafés. Another one of the unique breed that deserves a visit.