Mesa Franca, the reflection of the culinary roots from our earth

In 2022, this establishment managed to occupy the honorable position number 49 on the prestigious list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America. This spot pays tribute to Colombia’s culinary roots, reinventing exquisite dishes and cocktails that highlight native flavors. In its cuisine, traditional techniques and Colombian products are the main characters.

Mesa Franca is the reflection of that warm and welcoming concept where everyone meets and is welcome to celebrate and share, and which today materializes itself with its gastronomic offer and charming spaces that combine lighting, music and a cozy atmosphere.

Is the fruit of vision and passion of three talented professionals in combination with their extensive experience in renowned kitchens around the world. Maria Paula Amador, service and management expert, Tom Hydzik, cocktail master, and Ivan Cadena, talented chef, gave life to this gastronomic project that opened its doors in 2016 and since then has been acclaimed for its innovation and excellence in its culinary and cocktail proposals.

The fusion of experiences, dreams and talents are reflected in an irresistible and deep-rooted gastronomic offer. The exquisite corn toast with smoked bone marrow mayonnaise, raw tuna, avocado and lacto-fermented chili; or the pork belly with peanut puree, caramelized pears with arugula and sourdough bread, are just some of the dishes that surprise: “We are a place of constant evolution, this is not a place with a static menu, we are creating all the time,” said Maria Paula.

And as if all the above were not enough, the experience must be completely lived with Tom’s creations, the master mixologist behind a Polish man who discovers and falls in love with the native flavors with fascination and captures them in each of his masterful mixtures and mystical cocktails, full of color and flavor, where the Colombian product highlights the citrus, smoky, bitter, sweet or spiciness in his creations.

Thus, Mesa Franca is the perfect via to experiencing and to being delighted by Colombian gastronomy whose success is not only in the ingenuity of its three creators, but in the use of local, fresh and unpretentious products.

Without a doubt, these interpretations will also be reflected in their new project “Colorado”, a cozy and versatile space that adapts to all occasions, from the day to day to the most special: “A place where you can go anytime, a more of an everyday place,” was a highlight from the team of Mesa Franca.

By Jose Saldaña, journalist for Tierra Querida