Mesa Franca

Mesa Franca is a restaurant and bar in a restored house at Calle 61 #5-56 in Chapinero, Bogotá, Colombia. The kitchen cooks contemporary Colombian small plates designed for sharing, combining criollo flavours with native ingredients and techniques, and the menu changes often as produce and ideas evolve. Typical orders include sharing plates built from Colombian produce and seasonal ceviche and other raw preparations, which suit a table of two to four ordering several dishes at once. The bar is a major part of the appeal. Lit in red, it mixes cocktails with Colombian spirits and fruit, and many visitors come mainly for a drink and a few plates rather than a full dinner. The setting is a converted house, so rooms are small and atmospheric rather than large and formal, and the number of tables is limited. The mood is relaxed, stylish and conversational, with music at moderate volume and a crowd that skews towards young professionals and couples. Dress is casual to smart casual. Prices are mid-to-upper, roughly COP 50,000-100,000 per person (about $16-31), depending on how many plates and drinks are ordered. Hours run Monday to Wednesday until 10PM and Thursday to Saturday until 11PM, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays. Reservations are recommended because tables are few, and evenings at the end of the week fill first. The restaurant sits in a part of Chapinero close to other well-known dining rooms, so it works as one stop in a food-led evening, followed by a stroll to nearby bars. Ordering several plates to share is the natural way to eat here, and the staff can guide the order towards the seasonal dishes. Dietary needs should be mentioned when booking. The restaurant's own website carries its menu and booking details.