CARMEN
RESTAURANT INFO
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Carmen Restaurant Cartagena
Cll 38 # 8-19, Calle Del Santísimo, Cartagena de Indias (close to Parque Fernandez de Madrid call +57 5 6645116 mail [email protected] web carmencartagena.com |
Carmen has been one of Cartagena's top restaurants for the past 10 years for a reason; that reason is love.
You will find the mantra: "Love is in the Details" brandished on menus and throughout both the Cartagena and Medellin locations of the worldclass, and owners and executive chefs Rob Pevitts and Carmen Angel, fiercely ensure it is applied. From the most attentive, best-trained service team in town, the lovingly selected decor and table settings, to the insistence on the very best ingredients, lovingly transformed into one of the country's most consistent and innovative menus, not to mention that exceptional plating; it is evident that Carmen's mantra permeates throughout everything they do.
Housed in a gorgeously converted colonial home in the foodie district of San Diego in Cartagena's centro, Carmen is divided into three zones; lush garden patio, airconditioned interior with plush booths and larger tables, and the electric bar which makes a perfect perch for nibbles and top-notch cocktails. It also shares a roof with their bad-boy brother restaurant: Don Diablo, specialist in dry-aged Colombian meats (see here).
Carmen's menu is probably best described as Contemporary Caribbean Colombian and there is a focus on highlighting local ingredients from the coast. This includes in their carefully curated cocktail list - without doubt one of the best in the city. For starters I can never go past the spicy crab and also the langosta. Vegetarians and vegans are also well-catered for with a moreish mushroom and corn gnocchi dish that is served with an umami dashi broth that is droolworthy.
The mains I have tried and loved include an elevated version of the classic Cartagena seafood casserole with the playful name of "No Me Llames Cazuela" and the rich and delicious fruit glazed Chicharron which comes with an unctuous yuca puree. Vegans will probably be asking for the recipe after eating the lentil "steak".
You've probably already noticed I'm a dark chocolate freak, and the pot de creme dark chocolate desserts with rum caramel does not disappoint. But actually at on a more recent visit, it was the Strawberry Shortcake that came out on top.
Now if you really want to have an unforgettable dining experience, you can splurge and opt for either the 7 or 9 course degustation menu, with or without wine pairing (for about $25 extra, the wine pairing is actually a really good-valued option).
Overall dining with Carmen is a whole lotta love and will probably be a highlight of your visit to Cartagena. Bookings are strongly recommended and can be made directly on their website: carmencartagena.com
You will find the mantra: "Love is in the Details" brandished on menus and throughout both the Cartagena and Medellin locations of the worldclass, and owners and executive chefs Rob Pevitts and Carmen Angel, fiercely ensure it is applied. From the most attentive, best-trained service team in town, the lovingly selected decor and table settings, to the insistence on the very best ingredients, lovingly transformed into one of the country's most consistent and innovative menus, not to mention that exceptional plating; it is evident that Carmen's mantra permeates throughout everything they do.
Housed in a gorgeously converted colonial home in the foodie district of San Diego in Cartagena's centro, Carmen is divided into three zones; lush garden patio, airconditioned interior with plush booths and larger tables, and the electric bar which makes a perfect perch for nibbles and top-notch cocktails. It also shares a roof with their bad-boy brother restaurant: Don Diablo, specialist in dry-aged Colombian meats (see here).
Carmen's menu is probably best described as Contemporary Caribbean Colombian and there is a focus on highlighting local ingredients from the coast. This includes in their carefully curated cocktail list - without doubt one of the best in the city. For starters I can never go past the spicy crab and also the langosta. Vegetarians and vegans are also well-catered for with a moreish mushroom and corn gnocchi dish that is served with an umami dashi broth that is droolworthy.
The mains I have tried and loved include an elevated version of the classic Cartagena seafood casserole with the playful name of "No Me Llames Cazuela" and the rich and delicious fruit glazed Chicharron which comes with an unctuous yuca puree. Vegans will probably be asking for the recipe after eating the lentil "steak".
You've probably already noticed I'm a dark chocolate freak, and the pot de creme dark chocolate desserts with rum caramel does not disappoint. But actually at on a more recent visit, it was the Strawberry Shortcake that came out on top.
Now if you really want to have an unforgettable dining experience, you can splurge and opt for either the 7 or 9 course degustation menu, with or without wine pairing (for about $25 extra, the wine pairing is actually a really good-valued option).
Overall dining with Carmen is a whole lotta love and will probably be a highlight of your visit to Cartagena. Bookings are strongly recommended and can be made directly on their website: carmencartagena.com