Friends back home and many of the locals I met strongly suggested I go to Andrés Carne des Res for a meal. Regarded as a Bogotá institution located 23 kms north in Chia (an outpost in town at Zona Rosa has opened), the food they serve is quite delectable and they are known for their steaks, as well as, their 62-page menu magazine! The place is indescribable — a massive complex of room after room with decor that appears to have been inspired by Tim Burton meets junk house kitsch and mixed in with flea market finds! The restaurant / bar can accommodate more than a 1,000 people, but they still manage to pack the place day after day. After 8 pm, Andrés becomes a “no kids zone” with cocktails and dancing. A must-go-to fun place Bogotá!

It will be remiss of me not to mention one of the things that Colombia is world famous for — its coffee. The country is the third largest coffee exporter in the world (second largest for arabica). Supposedly, nine in ten households brew a pot daily. Unfortunately, and to my surprise, I was told that much of the good stuff is exported. There are however two big coffee chains that do a reliable job serving tinto (black coffee) and espresso : Juan Valdez Cafe and Oma.