Small Town Boy Moves to Big Apple: Opens Restaurant

I grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania where I got my first restaurant job working at the Good Spirit Restaurant on Hamilton Street. Since opening up the restaurant, I had dreamed of having a story on me and Bogota written up in Allentown's newspaper, The Morning Call, for whom I once worked for as a paperboy back in 1977. In today's Allentown Morning Call, there are two separate stories on me and Bogota Bistro:

Allentown native opens a New York restaurant, and keeps a diary
October 21, 2005
If you fancy books with titles like ''How To Be The Boss In Ten Days,'' The Bogota Bistro blog might be your cup of cafe con leche. The site chronicles the journey of Allentown native Farid Ali as he opens a Latin restaurant with a friend in trendy Park...

and

From busboy to partner is a long journey
October 21, 2005
By Kurt Blumenau / Of The Morning Call
It's a long way from busing dishes in a Hamilton Street eatery to co-owning your own restaurant in New York City. Farid Ali, who grew up in Allentown, proves the journey can be made, even if it takes a long time. Ali and business partner George...

El Diario/La Prensa Review: Bogota Comes to Brooklyn

The El Diario/La Prensa review was awesome. It took up almost the entire centerfold featuring a large photo of some of my staff including myself and George. I had no idea of what the review would say nor that it would take up so much space including 3 pictures they included. I've said from the beginning that this restaurant was meant to be. So many incredible things have happened to and for us that it goes beyond any kind of logical explanation.

The El Diario review brought us a lot of business and it brought in a lot of Colombians who might not have otherwise heard of us. Even now, over a week later, it continues to pull in customers from outside the immediate Park Slope area thus the effect has been positive on that level. On another level, I suspect that many of these Colombians are not accustomed to going out and eating in nicer, and a bit more expensive places, when it comes to Colombian food. Most Colombian restaurants in New York are very provincial looking serving and, in my opinion, mediocre food. That's what people who aren't exposed to great food, friendly and attentive service in a beautiful space are used to. This is pure speculation on my part but most of these customers are my toughest critics while being at the same time my cheapest tippers. Or maybe they just don't know better since in Colombia, tipping is not customary and if one does tip, it's usually whatever coin happens to be in their pocket.

My Own Biz - Brooklyn Business Library

Yesterday I sat on a panel of entrepreneurs that included Alicia Jones of AJ Creatives (web design) and Doug E. Doug (who, among other roles, played the protagonist in the Disney movie "Cool Runnings"). The event was sponsored by the Brooklyn Business Library in downtown Brooklyn and was geared towards teenagers who dream of owning their own business one day. There must have been approximately 150 teens there, mostly African Americans, all of whom were very enthusiastic, energetic and eager to know more about going into business for themselves.

I enjoyed the opportunity of speaking before them and giving them some insight as to what it takes to become an entrepreneur (FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS) emphasizing that the ability to ask for help is KEY to getting where you want to go.

I also shared with them how I grew up poor in the projects and raised in the projects by a single mother on welfare. "If I could do it, so can you."

Capt. Morgan and the Morganettes at Bogota Latin Bistro

Captain Morgan and the Morganettes will be at Bogota Bistro on Thursday, Oct. 27 for an evening of fun, free drinks and gift give-aways. Since it's the start of Halloween weekend, anyone showing up wearing a costume gets a free mojito with their dinner on Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Monday!

Don't Be Blown Around by Every Wind That Comes Along

Self Confidence

In order to be an entrepreneur, you absolutely must have self confidence. It will open many more doors for you when you're willing to knock on them rather than hoping someone will open them up for you to just walk right in.

You must believe in your self and what it is you are selling if you expect anyone else to believe too. That self confidence will be your rock when you begin to questioning if you should just give up.