What are your favorite restaurants in Bogota?

huskie says on May 18, 2008, 03:30:

There are so many good restaurants....one of my favourite ones for typical food is Casa Vieja, not too expensive, there is one in Downtown near the Plaza de Toros and across the street from Tequendama Hotel, the is one on Calle 93 but I like the one downtown.
Go to Andres carne de Res, outside Bogota, rowdy kind of place but the food is excellent and it is a very "one kind of a place" lots of fun if you with a group of people.
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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Monpirri says on May 18, 2008, 07:03:

Club Colombia
Calle 82 No. 9-11
Tels: 249-5681 321-0704
Bogotá, Colombia

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/club-colombia1/

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 18, 2008, 07:11:

I like Las Acacias,

A note from a site
"This restaurant specializes in traditional Colombian food, mainly from the Antioquia region. The interior is cluttered with old household objects and artifacts. The walls are covered with traditional mottos, proverbs and comments about the paisa (Antioqueños) culture. The food is excellent, prepared in a traditional way and served with the region's famous arepas (corn bread). It also has a good selection of national beers and tropical juices."

I have been in two of them and the food have been very good, relax atmosphere, nice real music, and good price.

engage brain before opening mouth

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Bill Turley says on May 18, 2008, 08:22:

About 3 hours from Bogota is a small town, Somondoco. There are 2 excellent resturants in that tiny town. The first one is Los Lagos, they have fried Mojarra ( a fresh water red snapper look alike) They have 9 large ponds, because it takes 9 months for the fingerlings to mature to plate size. During the week you can even watch them catch your lunch. A large platter with 1 or 2 whole fried fish ( cleaned of course) French fries, patacones, yucca, green salad and rice is about $12,000 Pesos. Chicken breast and beef is also available at the same price. The second is Vacalandia where they serve the same fish grilled over charcoal ( Very Good) baked, with sauce or Beef, Pork and Chicken Breast, single or mixed. With French Fries, Boiled Yucca, salad and rice for $10,000.
Both restaurants serve more than you can eat, a meal for 4 with a pitcher of beer is less than $60,000. Really there are people from all over at these places, on holiday weekends you need to wait for seats and they seat several hundred.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 18, 2008, 08:31:

Another nice one was in Santa Barbara it was called chez or chef jack something like that, very French but the room where the bar is looks like a typical English Pub. :))

engage brain before opening mouth

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gringoloid says on May 18, 2008, 08:37:

My favorite.......Shamua..........Avenida 19 y Pepe Sierra

Second, Nazca......(Peruvian(.................CR 5 con 73 or thereabouts.

Both very expensive.

For more reasonable fare........the Carbon De Palo at Av 19 and about CL 106. There are 5 of them in a few blocks but this is the best one, i think.

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bickerss says on May 18, 2008, 10:15:

Wok - very good.

Andres Del Carne Res in Chia.

Katmandu in Usequen - very funky indian restaurant.

The Indian restaurant on about 90 wih 16. (cant remember name).

The Chinese restaurant down from the BBC in Esequen.

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ColombianoGringo says on May 18, 2008, 10:34:

Murilo Parrilla es delicioso. Carbon de Palo esta rico tambien. De la 93, me gusta El Gato Negro.

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Alma del Norte says on May 18, 2008, 11:58:

Il Pomodoro, (Italiana por supuesto!), in Usaquen - about COP120,000 for two with wine.

Enchiladas, (mexicana por supuesto!), Calle 10 #2-12, Cosy family-run restaurant in the Candelaria.- about COP70,000 for two with wine.

La vida es una rutina

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Monpirri says on May 18, 2008, 12:08:

Alma de Norte, since this is a site about Colombia perhaps some foreigners would love to try some Colombian food, do you know any good Colombian restaurants in Bogota besides gringo food?

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Alma del Norte says on May 18, 2008, 12:22:

Yes, but the OP asked what were our favourite restaurants. These are my favourite restaurants. The Colombians that frequent these restaurants and I consider the food "International" rather than "Gringo".

Did my recommendations upset you?

La vida es una rutina

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Cerealkiller says on May 18, 2008, 12:23:

There are plenty of good restaurants in Bogota
I like 80 sillas in Usaquen, Club Colombia, Armadillo, Leo Cocina y Cava, Cafe Renault, Teriyaki, Urbano, Balzac, Cafe de la Cigale, San Ysidro, Tienda de Cafe ... I would suggest you explore La Macarena area, there are tons of wonderful restaurants and the vibe of the area is pretty awesome. It sort of reminds me of Usaquen a couple of years ago.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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webmanco says on May 18, 2008, 12:33:

Did my recommendations upset you?

It gave him stomach ache

My favorite restarurants are the ones not usually on the media, many mom and dad restaurants will do "corrientazos" but on certain days they do specials, usually sancocho de gallina or pezcado, among different variations.

Usually where you see people lining up the food it is supposed to be good, not always. Creepes and waflles good a lot of people doing line but their food it is not my type.

Las Acacias, La Fonda Antioqueña are more of my taste. El Envigadoreño two of them in Bogotá are good as well.

To explore Colombian and interntaional cousine there is not a better place than Bogotá.
Comida Valluna, Fulanitos en La Candelaria
Comida Costeña, NarcoBollo on 116 east of the brigde there.
Comida Wayu La Candelaria
Another restaurant in Chía comida costeña.
Cómida Santandereana Carrera 24 and 66.
etc.

In Bogotá you good a lot to choose from, both national and international cousine. Most international restaurands can be found in La Macararena and La Candelaria. I am also fun of "Mexican" I´ve been in most of them where ever I see one mexican restaurant I had not being in I stop an enter.

There are also the weekend restarurants where people go usually north and eate picadas, carne, gallina etc.

For seefood we good many restaurants or Pezcaderias, Jaramillo being the most well known. But also thruout the city there are many, in centro Bogotá on carrera 4th and 21 there are many good ones.

A few restaurants where you see many cabdrivers or truck drivers having lunch are good, the good thing is that they don´t hit the press.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 18, 2008, 12:33:

caldo parao :)))

engage brain before opening mouth

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webmanco says on May 18, 2008, 13:05:

http://www.eltiempo.com/vidadehoy/18demayode2008/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INT...

Mayo 18 de 2008

Llevar sabores típicos a las mesas más exclusivas es la apuesta de nueva cocina colombiana



Durante la última década, en Colombia, chefs, antropólogos, artistas plásticos y otros amantes de la cocina se convencieron de que el camino era rescatar lo nuestro y volverlo gourmet.

Aunque no se reconoce todavía como movimiento, está en camino. Se siente en iniciativas como el Premio Nacional de Gastronomía, que nació para rescatar platos típicos. En el 2008, agregó un galardón a la innovación con ingredientes tradicionales.

"A la cocina colombiana le está pasando lo mismo que le ocurrió a la música", dice Guillermo Vives, de Gaira.

Él fue de los primeros en servir arepa'e huevo en un restaurante de manteles bogotano, en plena fiebre de la cocina oriental. "Hace 10 años todos querían hacer sushi -recuerda. Nosotros pensamos en darle a la gente lo que conoce, con pequeñas variaciones, para no asustarla".

Entonces había empanadas en Bogotá, jamás caribañola. Y nadie creía que la masa de achira sirviera para otra cosa. Hoy, Leonor Espinosa ofrece en su restaurante empanadas de masa de achira.

Y está en Tokio, con la chef Catalina Vélez, mostrando la recién bautizada nueva cocina colombiana, basada en la búsqueda de ingredientes tradicionales y de la cultura popular puestos en las mesas gourmet.

Ya existe un restaurante de cocina molecular con sabores colombianos: El Cielo, en Medellín, donde el chef Juan Manuel Barrientos no hace bandeja paisa.

"Esto les pasó a los peruanos hace tiempo", dice Rodrigo Isaza, artista plástico y cabeza del restaurante El Herbario, de Medellín. Isaza alterna su arte con el de combinar el sabor del bocadillo veleño con el lomo de cerdo.

Articulo completo
http://www.eltiempo.com/vidadehoy/18demayode2008/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INT...

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 13:50:

Wow! Thanks for all the great ideas! I wanted a few recommendations for typical Colombian fare, but appreciate the variety of replies I've gotten. Do any of these places have a website where I can get more info?

And what about El Corral? (that is the best hamburger place around - right?) Is there more than one in Bogota? If so does one seem better than the other?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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ColombianoGringo says on May 18, 2008, 14:06:

El Corral is all over Colombia. However, make sure you order La Corralisima. It is their flame broiled burger whereas the others are fried and nowhere near as good.

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rocinante says on May 18, 2008, 15:14:

I had El Corral once. Once. Gotta try the Corralisima next time.

Is there a Mondongo in Bogotá?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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webmanco says on May 18, 2008, 15:15:

Mondongo, sancocho, sopa de menudencias, caldo de ministro, cocido boyacense, insulso, you name it.

As if there is a restaurant called Mondongo? I am sure there is at least one.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 15:29:

Monpirri, Club Colombia looks very enticing!

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 17:35:

Bill Turley, the places you've recommended look excellent as well!

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 18:25:

Any info about the average prices of a meal at the following?

Club Colombia
Andres Carne de Res (with cover charge?)
San Isidro’s House - the French restaurant atop Monserrate
La Fragata - is it still around, still revolving atop the World Trade Center Building? A telephone number would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks to all!

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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angelitabogota says on May 18, 2008, 18:31:

Since I have been living for years in Villa de Leyva, I could recomend you the restaurant of the Duruelo Hotel in Villa de Leyva. You can ask for the balcony tables where you can have a cool view of the town. The dishes are from international to typical. Also, there is a website of some restaurants in villa de Leyva: http://www.restaurantes.villaleyvanos.com/ take a look, I can recomend all of them. The prices of the dishes are between 18.000 COP and 30.000.

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 19:07:

Thanks, angelita!

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Monpirri says on May 18, 2008, 19:16:

Portena, Here's the link to Club Colombia

Bookmark this restaurant menu.
http://www.harrysasson.com/club.html

Select any of these choices to see your options:
Nuestro Menu, Our Menu
Para Comenzar, To start with or Appetizers
Del Diario, Today’s Menu (Lunch and Dinner Menu) I counted 18 dishes*
Acompañamientos, Side Orders
Platos del Dia, Weekly Dishes
Jugos, Natural Juices (I counted 24 different types of fruit juices)
Postres, Desserts
Bebidas Tipicas, Typical Drinks

*Club Colombia has a pretty large print menu and all their dishes in the print menu are not printed on the website so you will need the print menu to see all the regional Colombian dishes. (Of course Colombia has too many dishes to be prepared in one restaurant; nevertheless Club Colombia has a substantial amount of dishes from different regions)
Call in for reservations. They are closed on Monday.

I spent dinner for two with soup and natural juices $52.00 USD

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 19:16:

Are these the correct numbers for the yellow taxi service in Bogota? 311-1111 or 411-1111.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Monpirri says on May 18, 2008, 20:16:

I do not rember the yellow taxi phon number but if you want call Edison Martinez and ask him he would tell you. He is a Taxi driver I met in Bogota. I believe he drove me back to the airport. 316-7626963

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 20:36:

Thanks, Monpirri! It sounds like a great restaurant.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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ColombianoGringo says on May 18, 2008, 20:40:

Portena, Those are the numbers for two large and popular taxi services in Bogota. My grandmother won't get in anything but a 4111111 that was called.

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 20:52:

Appreciate that info!

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Portena says on May 18, 2008, 22:08:

Criadero? Comida llanera? Don't know what they are, Rubito.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 19, 2008, 09:33:

Chiguiro = Capybera. Like a giant Guinea pig.

Tasty!

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webmanco says on May 19, 2008, 09:37:

Acaso tiene el comeme look? más bien tiene la mirada de quien me salvará.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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dwr says on May 19, 2008, 09:42:

Kind of old and outdated but I still like Carbon de Palo on Calle 106 con 19 for steaks.

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bickerss says on May 19, 2008, 11:47:

Hooters!! Should be open by now; next to Zona Rosa!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 19, 2008, 11:52:

restaurante San Isidro Bogota

engage brain before opening mouth

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 19, 2008, 12:48:

Hooters in the Zona Rosa is like selling sand in Saudi Arabia.

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tasco66 says on May 19, 2008, 12:51:

Pollo Kokorico

Located on almost every street

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 19, 2008, 12:55:

There are a lot of nice casual parrillas on the way up to La Calera, too. What's the name of the one overlooking the reservoir with the big swing?

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Portena says on May 19, 2008, 17:56:

Ok...so what wine goes best with the Guinea pig?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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webmanco says on May 19, 2008, 17:59:

The best wine is Aguila :-) y bien fria

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Monpirri says on May 19, 2008, 18:43:

How about aguapanela con leche?
My favorite drink is chicha very cold.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Portena says on May 19, 2008, 18:50:

I saw a lot of these big Guinea pigs in Northern Argentina - Agutis. Never saw any around Bogota. Are they imported or do they roam free in the jungles of Southern Colombia?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Monpirri says on May 19, 2008, 18:54:

I think webmanco knows more about that. He is an advocate for the cuy rights in the region. :>)

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Noelito40 says on May 19, 2008, 19:20:

If, like me, you are a meat freak, then go along to Galapago Campestre in Chia, very reasonably priced and the portions are enormous, so much so that my tip is either only have a main course (skip the 3 morcilla starters!!_) or only have half a main course... I´ve also heard good things about Humero in Chia too, but can´t speak firsthand about the place...

Noelito

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gringoloid says on May 19, 2008, 20:03:

I can only tell you that Hooters in Bogota is really packed on the weekends and packed for lunch on the weekdays.

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Portena says on May 19, 2008, 20:15:

I will make a note - Pinot Noir and Aguila with Guinea pig. ;)

Kat, that's a nice photo of San Isidro. Have you been there? It looks like it would be cool for dinner with the view of the city from the terrace. Do you think it's overrated?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Alma del Norte says on May 19, 2008, 20:27:

Noel, I went to Galapago a couple of weeks ago - took us a while to find it, but it was very good.

La vida es una rutina

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 19, 2008, 20:32:

San Ysidro is definitely not overrated.

You wouldn't want to eat there every week but as a special occasion it's really romantic and beautiful. The food is really good and the setting/experience is a great Bogota tradition.

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Portena says on May 19, 2008, 20:42:

Good to know!

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Gator says on May 19, 2008, 20:46:

Portena, La Fragata's telephone number is 616 7461 very good sea food and the view is worth it

Casa San Isidro on top of Monserrate. With the fire place going and the piano playing, watching the lights come on in Bogotá about 1600 ft below make it worth a trip-besides the food is damn good. One of Mrs. Gator's favorites.

Nazca, Cl 74 about 100 meters off Av 7

Las Acacias, We go to the one on Calle 94 Santa Barbara because it is close to the apartmento. The sancocho is excellent

Club Colombia, cl 82 No. 9-11 Colombian dishes

Andres Del Carne Res in Chia (no longer worth the trip, INMHO).

Ah! So many good restaurants, so little time.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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adrimm says on May 19, 2008, 22:32:

I ate at Las Acacias, I think it was the Calle 94 one, it's up a few blocks from the AutoNorte right? My first Mondongo ever. Fabulous dish.

Las Margaritas in Chapinero is a family fave (almost 100 years old), but I really love the old photos of Bogota in the place - http://lasmargaritas.bogota-dc.com/ it oozes charm and I imagine it really must be good if it is still around.

and another I was impressed by (again love the ambiance) is El Balcón de Teusacá on the road to La Calera. http://balcondelteusaca.com/index.html

Foodwise (keeping in mind that I am not a gourmand), I actually found the ejectutivo lunches at many of the downtown eateries to be nearly as good.. Of course I don't have a firm idea of how some things should taste, but I was often as satisifed with the quality of food in a 6K lunch as I was with the higher priced lunches in the "finer" restuarants.

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Alma del Norte says on May 19, 2008, 22:44:

Since Mompy asked: I actually like a chain of 9 restaurants called El Brasero del Pollo. It's a bit spit and sawdust, smoke and worn formica. The food is good though and they do domicilios. Often I'm in the one on Calle 147 with 16-03, (post gym), but I love the one on Jimenez especially at the weekend. It's full of families and ordinary folks. They do specials of Ajiaco, Mojarra Frita and Bandeja Paisa with Limonada Natural. Never paid more than COP 15,000. Open late too.

La vida es una rutina

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Portena says on May 20, 2008, 19:31:

Gator, why do you say that you don't like Andres Del Carne Res in Chia? Is there another place you'd recommend for a good meal and fun dancing? More family oriented - not for the rave/drug crowd?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Gator says on May 20, 2008, 20:27:

Very crowded and the putas have started to move in BUT if you are into Latin beat, Vallenato, Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia and have never been I might make the trip-it is jammed so you can hardly move and too noisy. Friday and Saturday night are impossible.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 20, 2008, 20:33:

You can also experience a different version of Andres CDR on Sunday afternoon. It's really fun and family oriented.

No dancing, though.

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Gator says on May 20, 2008, 20:36:

Mr. H, I forgot about that-good suggestion

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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huskie says on May 21, 2008, 01:01:

Putas at ACR? That is too bad...last time I was there, it seemed ok to me. I know Andres personally and would not think he allows such a thing, but hey, I guess business is business, just like anywhere else.
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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podborski says on May 22, 2008, 03:20:

Andres now has prepagos?! Damn I miss Colombia

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billyb says on May 22, 2008, 06:24:

He should change the name to "andres not just carne de res"?

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