{"id":7369,"date":"2013-04-03T11:57:46","date_gmt":"2013-04-03T16:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/seecolombia.travel\/blog\/?p=7369"},"modified":"2021-03-16T17:47:02","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T22:47:02","slug":"believe-the-hype-medellins-carmen-restaurant-for-the-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seecolombia.travel\/blog\/2013\/04\/believe-the-hype-medellins-carmen-restaurant-for-the-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Believe the Hype: Medellin’s Carmen Restaurant For The Win."},"content":{"rendered":"

Just like Flava Flav – well, back when he had credibility, anyway – I’ve often found myself disappointed by things that have received a lot of hype (Avatar<\/em>, anyone? I mean, the special effects were good: just imagine if they’d hired a writer, too!). That gave me quite a cause for concern when I finally took the plunge and went to the swanky Carmen<\/a> restaurant in Medellin’s fancypants suburb of El Poblado.<\/p>\n

\"Flav<\/a>
Flav declined my invitation. He was working on Big Brother 27 or something.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Because, people have been talking this foodie shrine up – it’s even been rated “Oh my God” by no less than the New York Times<\/em><\/a>. You could say that my Flava Flav sense was tingling, boy. Another cause for anxiety was the phantom of my former, OCD-suffering, restaurant-owning boss, who always haunts me whenever I go anywhere that serves food. I often catch myself watching which hand people serve me with, how glassware is being carried, and how far away from the edge of the table cutlery is positioned. Sometimes, I hate myself.<\/p>\n

Well, I shouldn’t have been worried. I can assure you that I remain completely enthusiastic about this place. Although the Ghost of Occupations Past did spook me with a few details – my grenadilla pisco sour was delicious but had a slightly gross colour; the lights in one of the men’s toilets was out; and I’m not really sure what message about the food they’re sending by having Listerine available in said loos – I was happy to tell him to shut up and pay attention to the food. Because the food was indeed OhmyGod amazing.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The suu-a-ve, succulent meat was decidedly OMG worthy, babez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

What you get at Carmen is top-notch local meat and produce given some clever Asian touches cooked in the best French tradition, all presented with a distinctively Californian flair – it’s as simple as that. I noticed a few hints of the latest gastronomic techniques, both from the kitchen and in the service; but well-constructed dishes bursting with big, bold flavours don’t let things get too precious or ethereal – the banh mi is beautifully turned out in the best contemporary style, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a plate of sandwiches; and the tenderloin may well be dry-aged, but that doesn’t stop it from being good old steak and spuds. The ice-cream – if you let me continue a theme here\u00a0 –\u00a0 may come in amazing, cutting-edge flavours like cinnamon toast or popcorn, and the plating could possibly have been overseen by a calmer, less intoxicated Jackson Pollock, but it is <\/em>ice-cream. Delicious comfort food given an artful, modern treatment. The result of all of this is some of the best high-end\/smart-casual food you’ll find in the country. It wouldn’t be out of place in other, more familiar fine-dining capitals around the world.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>
My dessert, Maui, was pretty darned good, but it still didn’t stop me from having dessert envy for the truly sublime Peanut Butter and Jelly (no, really) which I reckon sums up the philosophy of the place beautifully.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

And the joint itself is pretty schmick, too. The design of Carmen beautifully matches the philosophy expressed in the food. Clean, unfussy lines, with a slight retro touch, do just enough to create the right kind of atmosphere. Although, as we hadn’t booked on a busy Friday night, we were happy to sit inside downstairs and watch the show from the intensely bustling open kitchen, the outside patio is a highlight – if you ever want to propose to that special someone, book a booth well in advance, and you’re giving yourself a pretty good chance.<\/p>\n

One more gripe, though, although the service was efficient and quietly cheerful, my inner five-year-old boy was a little sad that he felt the staff didn’t really care about him enough. I like unobtrusive service, but I still want to feel the love. Having said that, it was a pumpingly busy Friday night, so, really, fair enough!<\/p>\n

All in all, Carmen deserves a lot of the credit for bringing high-end contemporary dining to Medellin. Take the plunge – believe the hype, as this place really does have mad flava! Boing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just like Flava Flav – well, back when he had credibility, anyway – I’ve often found myself disappointed by things that have received a lot of hype (Avatar, anyone? I mean, the special effects were good: just imagine if they’d hired a writer, too!). 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