Náufrago is a unique restaurant and bar located on the rooftop of Click Clack Hotel in Medellin. Through their menu, they celebrate the biodiversity of Colombia through native ingredients that most might not think of putting together (chontaduro and cachaça) and will blow your mind!
Last night, we were treated to a gastronomic experience that was once in a lifetime! A guest bartender and chef from Humo Negro Bogota, one of Latin America’s Top 50 Restaurants, created a 3 course pairing to showcase their best flavor combinations highlighting different regions of Colombia.
I am so grateful to have been invited by my friend and amazing journalist, Carley Rojas Avila, as her plus 1 to experience this for myself.
Three Courses
Each of the three courses were mindfully created, pairing one drink to one bocadito. All highlighting a Latin American ingredient that might otherwise be overlooked in traditional recipes.
Course one was a Chardonnay wine with hoja de coca. As someone who is not normally a wine drinker, this was refreshing paired with the Tuna Tartare sandwiched between two koshō corn chips from the Andes. I’d love to see this as a larger part of the menu.
Course two featured a Don Julio Tequila drink with (mango) viche and lulo, two Colombian staple fruits, and pipilongo, a Colombian pepper-like spice native to the Pacific region.
Accompanying the drink was a crab and capuchina tartare, a Colombian plant that is completely edible, between two chips de plátanos. I often refer to myself as a recovering picky eater, and truly had not really tried crab prior to this bite. I now regret that decision because this was absolutely incredible. The flavors were light and the salt from the plátanitos were the perfect balance.
Course three was created with Buchanan’s 18 whisky, Jerez Fino, and guayaba (guava) fruit which is my personal favorite. The bocadito consisted of a fried bread ball with a jamón ibérico center, quite like a croqueta, and jamón ibérico on top.
It’s quite hard to pick a favorite out of the three, as all three courses opened our tastebuds to a unique journey around Colombia. It’s clear to see how Humo Negro made it to the Top 50 Restaurants in Latin America. The good news is, you can enjoy similar creative combinations right here in Náufrago Medellin.
Náufrago Medellin
Náufrago is the rooftop restaurant located at the Click Clack Hotel, and I would not be surprised if you see this restaurant in next year’s 50 Best of Latin America. Their representation of Colombia’s biodiversity is truly a love letter made edible. They use only native ingredients that you would not commonly see together, like the Marea Provincia, a take on classic buñuelos filled with pulpo (octopus)with a paprika aioli, ketchup from tomate de árbol y katsuobushi.
The meal started with a house made focaccia accompanied with a dried tomato paste and dried tuna paste. I also ordered the pork belly gyoza with salsa criolla and green cimarrón base.
The menu is also beautifully done, with artistic illustrations accompanying each drink breakdown.
The decor and interior are so well done, with every seat having an intimate view of Medellin’s skyline.
If you’d like to see more of this experience, check out the video breakdown of the experience below, and make sure you’re connected on Instagram for more adventures around Colombia.
Save this post and Náufrago for your next visit to Medellin, Colombia!
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