We opted for The Journey - a shorter version of the full experience for $185 per person with the additional wine pairing for another $90 per person, and started with a glass of Veuve Clicquot.
Next, we had a small bite of Corn Bunuelo with creamy sweet corn in the middle and a small dollop of black garlic on top.
The Crab Empanadas were another fun presentation with a very tasty filling and pineapple salsa served on the side.
We ate another canape called Uni Donut. It had that "fresh from the sea" taste but was so small.
Next on the journey, we washed our hands again with chocolate as part of Chocotherapy. I did not enjoy this as much as others may due to my OCD perhaps. I just found it to be too messy and unnecessary. Though they pour warm water afterwards, it was not enough and I still had chocolate on my hands and some splashes on my clothing.
The Tree of Life, a Yucca bread served fresh from the oven on a wire bonsai tree representing the lung of the world, the Amazon rainforest was another highlight of the journey. It was served with an herbal cream and a caramelized butter. The texture was a bit chewy and gummy, which reminded me of rice flour.
One of my favorite dishes of the night was the Pumpkin Soup served with a cold sorbet of chayote squash. The contrast of temperatures were exciting on the palate. I was still enjoying the bread with this soup when the servers came by to clear the plates. This left me feeling a bit rushed.
A cool salad of raw Scallops marinated with coconut and served with hearts of palm was refreshing.
Next, a spicy Seafood Cazuela featured mussels, shrimp, and fish. I found it to be very salty and didn't like the gritty texture. We had to ask twice for more water before our glasses were refilled.
The Yuca Gnocchi, however, was super decadent with shiitake mushrooms and truffle. It paired perfectly with a white Bordeaux.
Keith enjoyed the Duck marinated in a mango-calamansi sauce served with mushrooms. It was an interesting combination.
Though we had advised them ahead of time and reiterated once we were seated that I do not eat meat and would need a substitution, they forgot and also served me duck. However, we mentioned it again and they brought out a nice piece of Halibut marinated in a coconut-cilantro sauce and covered with loads of dehydrated cilantro. The fish was good - but I was let down by this oversight and felt bad that Keith waited to eat his dish until mine arrived.
As a final palate cleanser, we were presented with a large chilled plate with a swipe of raspberry sorbet. Titled, Lick Me!, we were instructed to simply lick the plate.
Lastly, we enjoyed dessert called Colombian Diversity - that featured several different fruits from the country like mango, coconut, strawberry, and blueberry. This was served with a large glass of Madeira Port.
To end the journey, we were presented with Rose Petals - an inedible dish of actual rose petals with a dollop of lotion, and told to rub between our hands. This just mixed with the chocolate aromas already on our hands and added another strong odor from grandmother's closet.
While the food was flavorful and I enjoyed the journey across Colombia, there were some missteps with service that was disappointing for a Michelin-starred restaurant. Also, we felt the wine pairing was a little stingy and the overall price a bit steep for what we actually ate.
Total Rating: 3.65
Food: 4, Price: 2, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5
