"It’s a bright and colorful place,
much like Latin America," said George Constantinou, who,
with partner Farid Ali, owns the new Park Slope restaurant, Bogota
Latin Bistro. If the long lines of hopeful diners on Friday and
Saturday evenings are any indication, this month-old bistro is
already becoming a neighborhood favorite.
The spacious and sunlit dining area, which seats about 70, boasts
hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. The industrial-chic
decor is softened with colorful murals, "a tribute to Latin
culture," according to Constantinou. The mood is set with
Latin jazz, rock and pop playing in the background. The cheerfully
decorated outdoor garden seats about 30, and the owners plan
to enclose it during the winter months.
The inspiration for the restaurant, and chef Roberto Garcia’s
menu, was a trip to Bogota, Ali’s hometown. Constantinou, 29,
who is Costa Rican and Greek, and Ali, 40, traveled there in
January 2003. While visiting Ali’s family, the two Brooklyn Heights
residents explored other places in South America and Central
America and picked up traditional dishes from along the way.
"Our restaurant is a tribute to South and Central America,"
said Constantinou, who kept a 2-year Web log, recording the progress
of Bogota Latin Bistro, leading up to the grand opening.
One of the most requested items on, what Constantinou calls,
the "Pan-Latin" menu, is the typical rural Colombian
dish, the "bandeja paisa" (Spanish for "mountain
platter"), a serving of grilled steak, "chicharron"
(fried pork skin), "arepa" (white cornmeal cake), rice,
beans, fried egg, "maduros" (sweet plantains) and avocado.
"It’s a national dish," said Constantinou. "The
best offering one would serve to friends and family."
"Arroz con pollo" (rice with chicken), a combination
of shredded chicken mixed with yellow rice, carrots, red peppers,
cilantro and scallions, which is served with avocado and a side
of black beans, is a close second.
For vegetarians, GO Brooklyn has sampled and recommends the "torta
portobella," a sandwich with "queso fresco" (a
popular Mexican cheese with a stringy texture) and portobella
mushroom, garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and chipotle
mayo and served on a poppy seed bun. All sandwiches come with
french fries and a mixed green salad. (The main dishes are served
with rice, beans and a choice of one side from a wide-ranging
selection that includes fried yucca, cilantro mashed potatoes,
garlic spinach and "tropical coleslaw.")
Bogota Latin Bistro’s fully stocked bar is making a name for
itself with its signature coconut mojito. It’s $8 a glass, but
this mixture of coconut cream and coconut rum, brightened with
mint and lime juice, is so tasty, it might be worth investing
in a $36 pitcher. Or you may opt for the fruit-of-the-week flavors,
such as strawberry or watermelon mojitos featured last week,
or the always available mango, orange, guava and passion fruit.
Bogota Latin Bistro (141 Fifth Ave. at Lincoln Place in Park
Slope) accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.
Entrees: $12-$19. The restaurant is open for dinner only from
5 pm to 11 pm from Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and
until 2 am (kitchen closes at 1 am) on Friday and Saturday. Closed
Tuesdays. For more information call (718) 230-3805 or visit www.BogotaBistro.com.
