Cartagena's Cuisine Revival

October 27, 2008 at 9:15 AM | by sedona | 0 Comments

When Cartagena, Colombia comes up in a convo it's often replete with references to Pablo Escobar, marching powder and imitation accents. It's hardly ever paired with hip bistros, authentic seafood fare, bright veggies mixed with pungent spices and refreshing mojitos.

But The New York Times begs us this week to look at that side of Cartagena, one that's rapidly making a mark on the (very) competitive foodie scene. The tropical city is home to some of the area's freshest fish, inventive, hip chefs and discerning diners. Folks that once headed to Paris and Rome for culinary vacations, the Times says, are re-thinking Cartagena.

Read on for some of the city's most amazing (and upcoming) new restaurants, and trust us, drop the "Romancing the Stone" references when you make your reservations:

If you want to start at the top in Cartagena, head to La Vitrola which is hopping 'til all hours with live jazz music and strong, fresh drinks. Menu items include gems like grilled salmon with lemon and lime zest, seared tuna with mango chutney and honey and sea bass with jalape�o and zucchini salsa. Don't miss the house-made chocolate cake and stay to dance the night away with the locals. Reservations are a serious must.

For the hipper crew, there's 8-18 which resembles a SoBe hotspot, with white walls, tables, chairs and huge blown-up leaf prints. The menu's Spanish-influenced and features ceviches galore or sink into the Coco 8-18, a creamy fish soup with shrimp, cabbage, green onions and coconut milk.

Sometimes supporting mom and pop joints is the best way to go. Travel a bit outside Cartagena's walls to the Barrio Getseman� neighborhood and to Oh! L� L� .... A tiny spot with just six tables total, it's influenced by the husband-and-wife team's travels around the globe. Menu items include things like lentil soup, Sardinian cheeses or baked sea bass with Parmesan risotto. Be prepared to chat it up with the pair and learn how each of your courses has been a part of their life.

Related Stories:
· For Foodies, Cartagena Is Now on the Map [NYT]
· Cartagena Restaurants [Cartagena Travel Guide]
· Food Travel coverage [Jaunted]

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