E AT I N O R D I N E O U T
HOTEL CARTAGENA
From coconut and truffle red snapper ceviche, to fall-off-the-bone Puerto Rican braised short rib, learn how to make recipes from newly opened Hotel Cartagena, located on the 72nd floor of JW Marriott Marquis Dubai at home, or choose to visit the restaurant and experience chef Geunsung Park’s (AKA chef Pepe) dishes firsthand. text SOPHIE VOELZING recipes CHEF GEUNSUNG PARK photography MAKSYM PORIECHKIN
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on’t be mistaken by its name, Hotel Cartagena isn’t actually a hotel – it’s a brand new twostorey restaurant and bar that now occupies the 72nd floor of JW Marriott Marquis Dubai in Business Bay. Offering incredible 360-degree city views overlooking Burj Khalifa, Hotel Cartagena exudes boldness all-round – from its décor and food, to its music and entertainment. Inside, the exuberant, colourful space is alive with Latin American flair and vibrancy – expect neon lights, abundant faux forestry and strong hues of red, yellow, green and purple. The atmosphere is upbeat and so is the music, particularly when samba dancers and drum players come out to interact with guests – it’s a lot of fun. Described as ‘Latin without borders’, the menu at Hotel Cartagena is made up of cuisine from places around South America like Puerto Rico, Brazil and Columbia. Headed up by head chef Geunsung Park, AKA ‘chef Pepe’, previously of Asia de Cuba, the kitchen here knows how to use spice – the food on offer packs some serious flavour. Highlights on the menu include the braised beef cheek, sofrito and chipotle empanada to start – the tasty, meaty filling married perfectly with the light, doughy casing – but be sure not to fill up too much on these little delights as the red snapper ceviche is equally as good. For mains, the Brazillian picanha steak is a must-try; ours came served medium-rare with punchy chimichurri and black bean sauce. There’s also Jamaican jerk spatchcock chicken, which is moist, tender and full of flavour. On the side, don’t miss the roasted sweetcorn with queso fresco. To finish, the churros are a must. Served sprinkled in sugar, warm, crispy and slightly doughy on the inside these chunky churros come accompanied by two equally as moorish dipping sauces of chocolate and passionfruit curd – it’s safe to say the serving left us satisfied and licking our fingers. Hotel Cartagena is a great spot to head with a group of friends for a fun evening with great, tasty food. The venue is now also hosting a lively brunch every Friday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, with food served sharing-style to the table. Want to dine out? Contact +971 4 560 1799 or visit hotelcartegena.ae for more information. 16 BBC Good Food Middle East July 2018
