In the gastronomic universe, there are meals—and then there are experiences. The latter transcend mere satiety; they are narratives, journeys, emotions served through a deliberate succession of acts. La Makha’s 7-Course Tasting Menu belongs, without a doubt, to this second category. It is not just a meal; it is a choreographed odyssey through Colombia’s biodiversity, a sensory journey designed to excite, surprise, and tell a profound story of origin, tradition, and innovation.
Each of the seven courses is an essential chapter of this tale. It represents an ecosystem, a culinary technique, or an emblematic ingredient elevated through the creativity of the chef. The purpose is not to fill, but to guide the diner along a path of discovery, where every bite is a revelation and each plate prepares the palate for the next surprise. It is a menu that demands attention, curiosity, and a complete willingness to be carried away.
Join us as we break down this journey, step by step.
Step 1: The Coastal Welcome (Opening)
The Dish: An oyster reinterpreted with coconut leche de tigre and mandarin lemon, crowned with a cilantro air and a green plantain crisp.
The Experience: The journey begins where the land ends—the sea. This first bite is an explosion of freshness that awakens all the senses. The oyster’s sharp salinity is immediately softened and enriched by the creamy acidity of the coconut leche de tigre. The cilantro air adds an ethereal aromatic note, while the plantain crisp introduces texture and an earthy element, anchoring the marine flavor to the essence of Colombian soil. It is a statement of intent: this will not be conventional.
Step 2: The Depth of the River (Transition Ceviche)
The Dish: Pacific rockfish ceviche marinated in tumbo (wild passionfruit), with red onion pickled in ají chontaduro and sweet potato glazed with panela.
The Experience: From the open sea, we move into Colombia’s Pacific rivers. The rockfish, firm in texture and clean in flavor, is the perfect canvas. Tumbo, more acidic and complex than common passionfruit, provides a vibrant and unique intensity. The onion pickled with ají chontaduro adds layers of spice and color, while the deep sweetness of panela-glazed sweet potato balances the acidity, creating a bold, rounded flavor profile. This dish speaks of the rainforest and the richness of its rivers.
Step 3: The Heart of the Mountain (Earth Interlude)
The Dish: A reimagined Causa Limeña. A base of criolla potato with lime notes, filled with king crab and Hass avocado, accompanied by an avocado quenelle and cassava chips.
The Experience: We ascend into the Andes. This dish is an homage to the Colombian potato in its most yellow and aromatic variety: the criolla. The Peruvian technique of causa is reinvented with local ingredients. The soft acidity of the potato combines with the sweet richness of king crab and the creaminess of Hass avocado. Cassava chips provide the necessary textural contrast. A mountain dish with a coastal soul, it demonstrates the versatility of Andean products.
Step 4: The Umami of the Jungle (Main Point Dish)
The Dish: Seasonal mushrooms sautéed with black garlic and Amazonian herbs, served over Jerusalem artichoke purée and topped with a coastal cheese foam.
The Experience: This course is an immersion into the jungle’s umami earthiness. Wild mushrooms, chosen according to the season, guarantee a unique experience each time. They are sautéed with black garlic, adding sweet, earthy depth, and Amazonian herbs that release fresh, unfamiliar aromas. The Jerusalem artichoke purée brings subtle sweetness and silky texture, while the coastal cheese foam contributes saltiness and creaminess. It is an intensely savory, comforting dish that celebrates the mystery of the forest.
Step 5: The Soul of the Plains (Main Course)
The Dish: Short-aged beef from the Eastern Plains, perfectly seared and served with a dark beer and guava reduction, caramelized cassava, and sautéed spinach.
The Experience: We reach the soul of the savanna. A premium cut of Eastern Plains beef, slow-cooked to preserve all its juiciness, is the centerpiece of this act. The sauce—a daring reduction of dark beer and guava—glazes the meat with a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and acidic notes. Caramelized cassava becomes a revelation, transforming a humble tuber into a gourmet side. A robust, powerful dish that honors the cowboy and the traditions of the grill.
Step 6: The Freshness of the Cordillera (Pre-Dessert)
The Dish: Blackberry and basil sorbet with an oatmeal cookie crumble and goldenberry coulis.
The Experience: Before the sweet finale, a necessary pause. A sorbet of Andean blackberry, with its characteristic acidity, is infused with basil for a fresh, aromatic touch that cleanses the palate. The crumbly texture of the cookie and the tropical sweetness of goldenberry coulis create a refreshing, light interlude that prepares the stage for the final act.
Step 7: The Sweet Embrace of the Valley (Final Dessert)
The Dish: “Colombian Coffee” – A deconstruction featuring Sierra Nevada coffee mousse, arequipe cream, toasted macadamia nut soil, and bitter orange gelée.
The Experience: The journey culminates with Colombia’s most emblematic flavor: coffee. But here, it is not served in a cup. Instead, it becomes an edible work of art. The intense, aromatic bitterness of the coffee mousse balances with the sweet, salty creaminess of arequipe. The nut “soil” adds crunch and roasted notes, while the bitter orange gelée cuts through the richness with a bright citrus finish. A complex, sophisticated, and deeply satisfying dessert that delivers the final tribute to the nation’s bounty.
More Than a Dinner, a Memory
La Makha’s 7-Course Menu is a complete gastronomic narrative. It is a round trip through Colombia, experienced in about two hours. It is not just a succession of dishes; it is an evolution of sensations, textures, and emotions.
Ready to Embark on This Journey?
Each course tells a story, and every ingredient has an origin. This experience is designed for the curious, for those who seek more than a meal. To check availability, seasonal ingredients, and secure your place in this sensory journey, visit the official page.
Discover more and book your 7-course experience at: La Makha
Let La Makha guide you through the flavors of Colombia—an experience you will surely remember long after the last bite has disappeared.
