From our mailbag: Falling In Love At Bogota!

FROM THE BOGOTA BISTRO MAILBAG
January 8, 2010

Hello George and Farid,

About three years ago, February 2007, a beautiful young woman and I went out for a wonderful dinner at Bogota Bistro. I had asked the woman, who at the time was a casual friend to join me for a dinner at a great restaurant that I had just discovered in Park Slope, Brooklyn. I was a young man at the time, who was falling madly in love with this woman, who happened to be Colombian, and from Bogota. Looking for a way to impress her, it seemed natural to take her to dinner at an establishment that she felt comfortable within, and there was no better place than Bogota Bistro.

The night was wonderful, we laughed, talked, ate great food, listened to excellent music, took in the mesmerizing art work and really made a connection with each other. The evening flew by so fast that in fact the staff had to make us aware that the restaurant was closing and that we were the last patrons. Fast forward two years, and that beautiful young woman is now my wife who recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl two months ago.

Whenever my wife and I look back at our time together and how our relationship progressed into a wonderful marriage, the memories of Bogota Bistro are always prevalent within our minds. My wife always makes the comment that when I asked her to dinner that night, she was expecting the traditional Italian restaurant or American steak house, but was completely blown away when I told her that we were going to eat at a Colombian restaurant, that to top it off is the name of the city where she was born, Bogota.

So, I just wanted to send you guys a big Thank-You for being such an important part of our lives, for giving us great memories and for putting a smile on our face every time we reminisce. Keep up the good work and Happy New Year!

Regards,
JF

Food / Restaurant Trends for 2010

Top 10 Prevailing Menu Trends for 2010
This time of year, you will find no shortage of dining predictions or menu trends for the year, many with substantial commonality. We culled through the many lists, surveys and predictions out there and bring you the Top 10 Prevailing Menu Trends for 2010 (based on those most commonly mentioned).

1. Fried Chicken and deep fried in general - this is in keeping with the trend towards familiar and comfortable foods,
starting with bone-in, fried chicken and continuing to deep fried apple pie, among other things.

2. Locally grown and sourced menu items - this trend started in 2009 and is expected to continue.

3. Specialty beers - while high end wines are moving sluggishly, artisan and micro brew sales are growing and expected
to continue to do so.

4. Premium burgers - premium burgers represent the ultimate marriage of value and indulgence, so whether it's Kobe
beef or a rare cheese, the burger is getting a makeover.

5. Further downscaling - The drive toward downscale dining continues. Examples include Big Star, Chicago chef Paul Kahan's opening a dive bar/taco shack and Coi Chef-owner Daniel Patterson recently opening Il Cane Rosso, a San Francisco sandwich shop.

6. Local liquors - examples include Texas bars and restaurants stocking Tito's vodka (hand distilled in Austin, Texas) exclusively, this seems to be an extension of the "locally grown and sourced" trend.

7. Gluten free - the approximately three million Americans with celiac disease (causing reactions to foods
containing gluten) can expect to find more menus tailored to their needs.

8. Lamb ... off the bone - chops are still on the menu, but expect to see more off the bone cuts of lamb, such as lamb meatballs, taking on greater visibility.

9. Back to the basics - from canning and pickling produce to curing salami to butchering their own cuts of beef,
expect chefs to get back to the basics.

10. The left side of the menu - look for more creative snacky things, more small plates, more portion options -
things sized for one, for two, for a crowd. Sharing is the key ... sharing responds to consumers' needs for comfort
and safety, for intimacy and friendship.

3 Honorable Mentions (because we just found these interesting)



1. Are eggs the new bacon - from the option to add a fried egg to anything on the menu to finding a sliced egg on a sandwhich, eggs are showing up everywhere.

2. Healthier breakfast choices - lack of healthy choices is what most people report keep them from eating breakfast
out more often, expect to see that change.

3. Expanded kids menus - more and healthier choices seem to be the trend.

(Sources: Nations' Restaurant News, "What's Hot in 2010 Chef Survey;" Restaurants and Institution's, "20 Menu Trends;"
and Baum + Whiteman's, "13 Restaurant and Hotel Food and Dining Trends for 2010)

Hostess / Host Position Available

Host / Hostess (Park Slope)

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Bogota Latin Bistro

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Bogota Latin Bistro is seeking a host/hostess to join our dynamic team: www.bogotabistro.com

Duties & Responsibilities:
* Welcome and warmly greet guests on arrival.
* Dispense hospitality. Make guests feel welcomed.
* Manage the timely seating of our guests to a table that best serves their wishes.
* Manage waitlist and provide guests with estimated waiting times.
* Whenever possible carry drinks to table, assist with packages and pull out chairs.

Qualifications:
* Bilingual (fluent English and Spanish) and able to communicate in both languages.
* Strong strategic thinker / Understand table math
* Positive and caring attitude.

Applicants must share our passion for food, excellence, education and Latino culture.
Ideal candidates must be team player oriented with willingness to learn, lead & grow.
The right applicant will follow management’s instructions and suggestions.

Instructions:

A) Please email your resume and personalized cover letter to eat@bogotabistro.com
Please answer the following questions in your cover letter
1) What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
2) Why do you think you would be a great fit for Bogota Bistro?
3) What will your last boss say about you when we speak to them?

B) Please state the position you are applying for in the subject line of the email.
C) Interested candidates will be called back to schedule an interview

Bogota Latin Bistro Seeks Head Cook

Head Cook Position Available.
Bogota Latin Bistro is a successful and growing Pan-Latin restaurant located in the heart of Park Slope, serving the foods and drinks of Colombia and Latin America.
We are seeking a head cook to join our kitchen team: www.bogotabistro.com

Head Cook (Weekend & Evenings)

Directly responsible for all kitchen functions including food purchasing, preparation and maintenance of quality standards; sanitation and cleanliness; training of employees in methods of cooking, preparation, plate presentation, portion and cost control.

Duties & Responsibilities:
*Ensure that all food products are consistently prepared and served according to the restaurant’s recipes, portioning, cooking and serving standards.
*Possess strong supervision & leadership skills. Will lead a BOH team comprised of 15 cooks, preps, dishwashers & runners. Create a positive & productive work environment.
*Control food, menu and labor costs.

Qualifications:
*Mature & Professional.
*Possess knowledge of Latin food cuisine.
*Minimum ten years of high volume latin/spanish kitchen experience in varied kitchen positions such as prep cook, line cook & expediter.
*Be able to communicate clearly with all FOH & BOH staff and understand English and Spanish.
*Must be organized, self motivated, proactive with a strong attention to detail.

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Instructions:
A) Please send your resume to eat@bogotabistro.com
B) Please state the position you are applying for in the subject line of the email.
C) Please do not call the restaurant.
D) Interested candidates will be called back to schedule an interview.

• Location: Brooklyn
• OK for recruiters to contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

New Year's Eve at Bogota Latin Bistro

Bogota Latin Bistro Holiday Hours

When you're thinking about having an event, a party or a small gathering of friends and family in a festive environment, very few places in Brooklyn can match what we provide.  Colorful, fun, incredible food, great service, and mojitos, too!

Bogota Latin Bistro can accomodate groups from 2 to 120 with varying pricing options. Give us a call at 718 230-3805 or go online and see our party or catering menu. 

We'll do the work, you sit back and enjoy yourself.