COL: Brasas Del Llano

Colourful national dish of Colombia!

The full-day tour to Lake Guatavita and Zipaquira that my BFF and I signed up for included a lunch stop at Brasas Del Llano, a well-known restaurant celebrated for its traditional cuisine with an emphasis on grilled meat. Situated in the heart of the town, the restaurant offers a lively atmosphere with live performance.

Bandeja Paisa COP 38,000 (~S$12.35)

Taste: 8/10

Hailing from the Andean region of the country, the national dish of Colombia offers a vibrant array of flavours and textures. Served before my eyes was a hearty plate of white rice and arepa, a type of flatbread made of ground maize, accompanied by crispy pork rinds, pork sausage and ground beef sitting on top of a fried plantain. For extra colours and flavours, the dish was completed with beans, fried egg, avocado and tomato slices.

Tipic Zipaquireno COP 38,000 (~S$12.35)

Taste: 8/10

The regional specialty featured a plate of grilled veal and pork, both of which were seasoned lightly, served alongside a portion of rice. The dish was complemented by caramelised plantain and salad that provided a refreshing contrast to the meat. Adding to the experience was a bowl of ajiaco, a traditional soup that came with shredded chicken and potatoes, infused with the earthy flavour of guasca herb.

Those weren't all. The main course concluded with a simple, yet delightful treat: a fig topped with arequipe, a Latin American caramel-like confection made by slowly heating sweetened milk.

Cherry Lemonade COP 11,000 (~S$3.60)

Taste: 8/10

After the morning trek to Lake Guatavita, there was nothing more satisfying than a refreshing treat while listening to a lively rendition of 'Guantanamera' by the performers on stage. The vibrant concoction blended the sweet taste of maraschino cherries that I like with the tangy zest of lemon, all swirled together into a frosty slush.

Melon's Rating

Taste: 8/10

Ambience: 7.5/10

Service: 7/10

Overall: 7.5/10

The eatery is adorned with a rich collection of antique paraphernalia. Pika's advice: Are you a pork enthusiast? If you also enjoy blood sausage, you may want to consider another one of their best-selling main dishes: Miner Plate. It's priced at COP 48,000 (~S$15.50).

Brasas Del Llano

875 Calle 1

Zipaquira

Colombia

(Mon-Sat: 9.00am - 7.00pm;

Sun: 9.00am - 6.00pm)

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)