Omnomnom Colombia: El Cielo, Medellin
A pinch of theater, a dash of poetry, a sprinkle of magic and a heaping spoonful of historic beauty. El Cielo is a gastronomic adventure through traditional Colombian dishes. Part of me wants to keep this place a secret because of my spellbinding experience. But this is not a story about the food. This is about every magical moment leading up to it.
I sit down. The beautiful waiter and his beautiful Spanish accent asks me if I would like to go on a The Journey (13 course menu) or if I would like to experience The Trip (7 course menu). “The Journey, definitely the Journey please”. “Of course miss, and would you like to include the curated wine pairing menu?” “Yes, please”.
I’m giddy…
Another beautiful waiter approaches holding a very large asymmetrical clay dish with delicate splatter designs. Plated on the left, what looks like an egg but more round, on the right a beautiful pile/scattering of red crystal-like sediment. The waiter disappears and appears again with a white teapot. He speaks with intensity. “Before you begin The Journey, we want to make sure you experience every flavor exactly as the Chef has meticulously designed for you. Every dish is a moment from Colombia’s ancient history and all the food is sourced from the Amazon Rainforest and local farmers.”
…I’m mesmerized
Please take the white ball into both your hands” I pick up the white ball and lightly cup it in my hands. It’s grainy to the touch. “Now take some of the red sand into your hands as well” I shift the ball to one palm while I scoop up some red sand with the other. I bring my hands back together. “Now squeeze your hands together and break the ball.” Made of sugar crystal, it easily breaks and lets out a cold creamy liquid. “Now, please massage everything into your hands. The red sand is raw sugar crystals that will exfoliate your hands and let the liquid penetrate your skin.”
I’m hypnotized and does as he says…
“Now carefully smell your hands” I bring my palms to my nose. Like jasmine and sweet coconut “Please hold out your hands over the plate”. He pours lukewarm water from the teapot onto my hands as I rinse the residual into the clay plate. Another waiter comes out on cue and gives me a warm towel to try my hands. My waiter, “Every time you lift your spoon or fork to your mouth, you will receive these beautiful scents and it will enhance every bite of every moment”
TELL ME THAT IS NOT THE MOST MAGICAL INTRODUCTION TO A MEAL, EVER.
The Journey that followed was a ballet of the senses. I will leave that for you to discover on your own. The Chef is the award winning Juan Manuel Barrientos. While the original El Cielo is in Medellin Colombia, you can also experience the magic in Bogota, Colombia and Miami, USA.
-Agi
*The photo above does not belong to me and is sourced directly from the El Cielo restaurant website.