Bernabé — Restaurant in Quindío

I had the canaan bowl with chicken. It was alright. The service was slow. My problem however is that the so-called "CEO" of the restaurant cannot identify the origins of the dishes on his menu. I asked him where he thought baba ganoush was from and he said “it’s not from anywhere” but it's Colombian because it’s "made with Colombian ingredients.” Let’s be clear: baba ganoush is from the Levant region. This includes Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. If you’re going to put something on the menu from another culture, at least be able to say that it’s from there, instead of misappropriating. Also, Canaan literally refers to the land that the Levant people descend from. Additionally, one of the coffees offered is "ibrik" which translates into "pot" in Arabic and this way of drinking coffee originated in Yemen and it's how Arabs, Turks, Armenians, Bosnaks, drink their coffee. Fusion menu is fine, but disrespecting other cultures by calling their food your own is NOT okay.

Edit: modifying my review to 1 star due to the owner’s stupid response. My review said nothing about any conflict. I was simply stating that the owner was culturally misappropriating the food by saying that baba ganoush is “not from anywhere” (which is obviously, false). But since he decided to bring politics into the picture, then let me correct him by saying that there is no “war” happening, only a genocide, and no “peace” is possible when one side is mercilessly slaughtering the other. If you’re going to cook Palestinian/Levant food, don’t strip it from its cultural identity, especially at a time when Palestinians (& Lebanese) are currently being murdered. Have...

If you're looking for a cozy, family-run dining experience with a high-end twist, look no further than Bernabe Restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we were embraced by the warm and welcoming atmosphere that this charming Colombian eatery exudes.

The entire family is involved in the restaurant, making the experience feel incredibly personal and intimate. Philippe, the owner and mastermind behind the menu, greeted us with a friendly smile and a captivating story behind each dish. His passion for reimagining Colombian cuisine is evident in every bite.

We started our culinary journey with a refreshing ceviche, followed by a rich and creamy baba ganoush. Both appetizers were exquisite and set the tone for the main course. The highlight of our meal was the salmon with blue cheese – an innovative and delicious combination that showcased Philippe's talent for experimenting with flavors.

In addition to the delectable food, Bernabe also offers a selection of local IPA beers, which perfectly complemented our dishes. The drinks, like the food, were carefully curated to enhance the overall dining experience.

The atmosphere at Bernabe is nothing short of enchanting. The intimate setting, combined with the family's genuine hospitality, made us feel right at home. Philippe and his family have created a unique dining experience that blends tradition with modernity, making every visit memorable.

Thank you, Philippe, and your wonderful family for an unforgettable evening. We truly enjoyed...

Choosing not to eat here would be a tragedy and a grave disservice to yourself and anyone you are traveling with.

All of the food I had in Colombia was excellent, but Bernabé stands far above and beyond in a class of its own. The owner told us he wants to sell not just food, but an experience. That every customer leaves with a smile. The owner and staff were all amazing and a ton of fun as well. I would have gladly tipped enough to triple the cost of dinner, but they wouldn't allow me to give them more than 10%.

Back to the food though - we decided to eat here after reading a review that said something along the lines of "I am a vegetarian atheist and after eating the filet mignon here I believe in God." As a steak aficionado I have had some excellently prepared top quality beef, so I thought that seemed like unreasonably high praise until I ate it myself. I now firmly believe that review doesn't do it justice. The food is so good that any time I happen to find myself in South America, I will make every effort I can to visit Salento again just to eat dinner at Bernabé. It...