After calling the South Facet’s East Carson Avenue residence for six years, The Colombian Spot has expanded and located its method to the guts of Oakland with a brand new location.
The Colombian Spot is owned and managed by Karen Perdomo and her husband, John Ortiz. Perdomo mentioned they’re a pair seeking to deliver Latin meals to the restaurant scene in Pittsburgh.
In response to Perdomo, the unique location opened in 2015 as a “small joint” on the Pittsburgh Public Market, a road market within the Strip District. When the market closed in 2016, Perdomo and Ortiz had been pressured to shut and regulate their plans. They regarded to open in Oakland, however couldn’t discover an accessible house on the time.
“The change was dramatic as a result of we went from having a small shared house inside a market, to leasing a full-service restaurant within the coronary heart of the South Facet neighborhood,” Perdomo mentioned. “We opened our doorways there in March of 2017, with a full-service menu, and in 2019, we bought a liquor license, so we now serve beer and cocktails.”
Moreover the variety of adjustments they skilled, the duo is happy to deliver their enterprise to Oakland. Perdomo mentioned bringing The Colombian Spot to Oakland would assist increase their reputation. She mentioned the a number of space universities and hospitals, and its various setting, makes the neighborhood an enormous alternative for them.
“The benefits now we have within the Oakland location is the cultural variety, and the excessive foot visitors,” Perdomo mentioned. “Due to the shortage of Latin American eating places in Pittsburgh, we noticed an enormous alternative.”
Among the meals served at The Colombian Spot embrace empanadas, arepas and tostones.
Many dishes are comprised of scratch to keep up the flavour and protect the points of Colombian tradition. Perdomo describes empanadas and arepas as “artisan” meals. Arepas are a stuffed cornmeal cake dish important in Colombia and Venezuela. Empanadas, alternatively, are a pastry that may be baked or fried that may embrace a number of completely different filling selections.
Perdomo mentioned the method of getting ready the meals is lengthy, however that’s how The Colombian Spot distinguishes itself from different eating places.
“A few of our meats are smoked and cooked sous vide for 36 hours, the empanadas and arepas are made by hand, our aspect dishes together with our beans are comprised of scratch,” Perdomo mentioned. “Whereas we preserve our genuine taste from Colombia, we additionally attempt to fuse with different Latin American cuisines and cooking methods.”
Perdomo mentioned the restaurant’s development is a “large achievement” since she feels there aren’t any different genuine Latin American eating places within the space.
Carolina Forero is a supervisor at The Colombian Spot in Oakland. Earlier than working on the Oakland location, she was employed on the South Facet location for a number of years. She’s initially from Colombia, and mentioned working on the restaurant makes her really feel like she’s at residence.
Forero mentioned there aren’t any different locations within the space like The Colombian Spot. She mentioned the enterprise prides itself on the authenticity of the meals, broad number of gluten-free choices and eating expertise. She additionally mentioned your complete menu is gluten free and all the pieces is of course flavored.
“We put a lot effort in the entire Colombian expertise, so the folks immediately discover the distinction from different locations,” Forero mentioned. “Our complete menu is comprised of scratch, gluten free, and with pure components, so it’s nearly like consuming at residence.”
Nina Bischoff, a Pitt alumna and resident of close by Edgewood, runs an Instagram account devoted to being a Pittsburgh foodie. She mentioned she first visited The Colombian Spot years in the past, and it’s completely different from many different locations the place she’s eaten.
“It’s completely different from different locations I’ve eaten due to its consistency,” Bischoff mentioned. “The truth that it stays true to its roots and that it affords flavorful gluten-free meals is what makes it nice.”
Like Forero, Bischoff emphasised the significance of the gluten-free choices The Colombian Spot affords.
“It’s so flavorful and home made. I all the time get [the sauces] on the aspect,” Bischoff mentioned. “I initially tried it as a result of it was marketed as gluten free, which I’m, and I fell in love at first chew.”
Bischoff mentioned she particularly recommends getting the “Reina Pepiada” and an empanada with one of many home made sauces. General, she really useful the restaurant and what it has to supply.
“I all the time advocate this restaurant to folks. It has a really approachable menu even for those who’ve by no means had Colombian meals,” Bischoff mentioned. “The workers was pleasant, welcoming and accommodating after I visited, and also you all the time go away full.”
Forero mentioned the ambiance, coupled with the meals choices, is what makes The Colombian Spot like no different. She mentioned it’s like her residence away from residence.
“While you enter the restaurant, you possibly can really feel the tropical and colourful ambiance,” Forero mentioned. “The music, the murals, the meals, all the pieces inside makes you’re feeling like you’re in Colombia.”
