Since visiting South America, I’ve grown to South American cuisines and when I heard there’s a Colombian restaurant in town, it was definitely on my list to go to because I’ve never had Colombian food before. Located in the CBD and having only opened for 3 months or so sits Club Colombia. It doesn’t look much from the outside but once you step inside, it was vibrant, it was friendly and with super friendly and welcoming staff.
I was recommended the hot chocolate with cheese to start off brunch, yes you heard right – CHEESE! So basically you plop the cheese into the hot chocolate, wait for it to melt then scoop it out and eat it. It was so goddamn good. I was told that was what some Colombians would have for breakfast. Mr D got a latte and it was totes amazeballs, like you’re getting a hug from your mumsy bear.
Colombian Chocolate & Cheese – $7
Colombian dark chocolate with cloves and cinnamon
Latte (L) – $4.50
For those who want something more refreshing and sweet, the sugar cane lemonade. It tasted more lemonade-y and not as much sugar cane-y but it was delish nonetheless.
Colombian Sugar Cane Lemonade – $5.50
We weren’t too sure what to get so we left it up to the staff and we were so glad we did because once the food started to come out, we couldn’t stop stuffing our faces. Colombian cassava with hogao sauce was delish! They were little fried goodness and with the hogao sauce it was perfect.
Colombian Cassava – $12
Fried cassava with Colombian hogao sauce
The pumpkin and ginger soup was gingery and I loved it. It’s a touch more sweeter than what I was use to but I completely devoured it and didn’t leave poor Mr D any.
Colombian Pumpkin Soup – $12
Pumpkin and ginger soup with crispy potato on top and cream
Meat lovers the calentado valluno is for you. Sauteed rice with chicken, chorizo and bacon and topped with a fried egg, it’s a very hearty meal. It was salty, it was slightly sweet, it was meaty, it was definitely Mr D’s favourite dish here.
Calentado Valluno – $24
Sauteed rice with lentils, pulled chicken, chorizo, bacon, hogado sauce, coriander and a fried egg
The beans casserole is another comforting and hearty dish. Full of pork and chorizo and bit of planteen added some sweetness to it. Mr D went to town on this dish and smashed it.
Beans Casserole – $22
Homemade recipe of beans cooked with pork and chorizo served with rice and arepa
I love anything slow cooked and the flank steak was slow cooked with criolla sauce, cheese and cream (hellooooo dairy!). The flank steak was so soft and the sauce with cheese and cream was well…creamy! There was so much flavour.
Flank steak with criolla sauce – $25
Flank steak, slow cooked with criolla sauce, cheese and cream
Dessert time! Of course the three milks cake came out and it was super super sweet. Mr D had one bit and couldn’t have anymore whereas I had the whole thing. The oblea was a cookie sandwich with arequipe (or you may know it as dulce de leche) with mozzarella cheese (what? In a dessert??). Now it all either sounded way too sweet or a bit out there BUT rest assured, it was FANTASTIC. It wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be and it wasn’t too sweet. Although out of the two desserts, I prefer the tres leches.
Three Milks Cake – $7
“Tres Leches” cake with creamy sweet sauce topped with passionfruit and strawberries
Colombian Oblea – $7
Two crispy cookies sandwich with arequipe mixed berries sauce, whipped cream and mozzarella cheese
Oh if you’re up for a little shot, check out the aguardiente which is an anise-flavoured liquer derived from sugar cane. It was light and very easy to drink.
Club Colombia is a hidden gem and a great new cafe / restaurant that just opened up. We will definitely be back and I think I’ve fallen in love with Colombian food.
Disclaimer: I was invited to dine by Club Colombia and all opinions expressed are my own.
Verdict: 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Food: 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Service: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Value: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
118 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 8658 3441
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