I love Ceviche.  80 Sillas in Usaquen is one of my favorite restaurants, so I when I realized the owners recently opened another cevicheria, I grabbed some friends and went to check it out.  Central is centrally located, but is also on a very popular dining street so please make reservations for a table in one of their enchanting terraces.

As with so many restaurants in Bogota, Central is fabulous for appetizers but forgettable for main courses.  No worries though as there are over two dozen luscious starters to choose from:  ceviches, soups, salads, tiraditos, and other assorted tasty treats.   There were so many tantalizing options I found it difficult to settle on just a few and am already looking forward to returning to sample some more of Scottish Chef Andrew Blackbourne’s creations.

You may ask:  “What could a Scot possibly know about ceviche?”  Well, apparently, quite a bit.  Purists – beware:  You will not find the typical Peruvian ceviche with marinated white fish, onion, cilantro and lime, but you will find plenty of fun, fresh, ingredients like coconut, peanuts, algae and ginger.  I recommend both the Picoso and the Al Coco as both are packed full of flavor and have a rare (for Bogota) spicy kick. 

My soup loving amigo would recommend you follow the ceviche with a hearty bowl of Chowder or the Sopa Del Pacifico which masterfully combines scallops, mushrooms, ginger, and coconut milk.  Alas, I know it will be quite some time before I will be able to order anything but the Scallop salad.  Chef created this dish with me in mind:  scallops, bacon (!), papas criollas, caramelized onions, and asparagus.   Every delicious bite of this dish was divine.  I will somehow find the strength to move on to new things, eventually, and when I do I would like to try the Chorizos with Onion Marmalade and the House Causa which tempted me with layers of onion, tomato, cilantro, sour cream, and potato. 

Central’s entire experience was magnificent.  The décor was welcoming and warm, the music was so perfect that although it was subtle it was commented on by all members of my party, the wait staff were attentive and professional, the wine was chilled to perfection, and the food (well, all the appetizers which is all anyone should ever order) were phenomenal

- Submitted by The Gringa

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