Bienmesabe exceeded every expectation

I went in with low expectations — I'd had mediocre versions before. What I found was Bienmesabe made with real commitment to papelón brown sugar and technique. The sweet-savoury from cornmeal base result was more complex and satisfying than anything I'd had before.

the arepa is Venezuela's daily bread — eaten at all meals in countless configurations. The a Colombian-Venezuelan border town restaurant was exactly right for this kind of eating. ron Santa Teresa rum was offered as the natural choice and it elevated everything. When a dish you thought you knew surprises you completely, that's worth celebrating. Five stars without hesitation.