9. February 2015: Restaurant Marea by Rausch
The last lunch in Cartagena was one to remember. The Rausch brothers also run the Criterión in Bogotá (supposedly the best restaurant in Colombia – with which I do not entirely agree) but I actually prefer the Restaurant Marea by Rausch. Lunch started with a “torre de cangrejo y guacamole (con una reducción de vinagre balsámico y salsa de mango)” (24’900 COP) which was aromatic, very flavourful and of an interesting smoothness.
In order to get a better impression what the menu had to offer, I went for a second starter and opted for the “tiradito de pescado blanco (finas láminas de pescado marinado en leche de tigre al ají amarillo y rocoto)” (22’900 COP) which looked incredibly simple at first but was actually a nice combination of flavours.
Obviously, the apparently standard Colombian side dish “banana chips” was not to be missed.
As a main I went for the “pescado de temporada al horno con costra verde (con puré de papa y ajo con guarnición à la grenobloise) (alcaparras, aceitunas, tomate, perejil y beurrenoisette)” (41’900 COP). The fish was tender and aromatic and the potato mash the fish was rested on somehow tasted better than the regular potato mashes.
The last course was pure enjoyment – the “Postre Marea” (22’900 COP) basically consists of a selection of all different kinds of desserts present in the menu starting with “peach panna cotta with maracuja sauce”, “millefeuille of arequipe and coco”, “café surprise”, “créme brûlée of vanilla”, “flan”, “pistaccio icecream”, “chocolate icecream” as well as “cheesecake”. Frankly, it is a bit very much for one person but overall it is a good way to finish a lunch.
When you are seated you receive pretty swiftly a basket of warm breads – and they are incredibly yummy. Be careful with those as else you won’t be able to enjoy the whole menu anymore (as you will be too stuffed).
The place is from its design very simple but it is incredibly appealing from a location point of view …
… as you sit outside of the city wall but get to see the old city and the walls while having a little stream of sea between you and the city. Absolutely lovely, especially when the sun is shining.
The prices are absolutely fine for what you get – which applies to the dishes as well as to the beverages (e.g. double espresso, 5’200 COP; jugo de mandarina, 9’500 COP; limonada de coco, 7’900 COP; San Pellegrino, 0,5L, 14’500 COP). The service is very friendly and does generally a good job although there are moments of unattentiveness when you have to wait quite a bit until someone sees that you want to order something in addition. Or when the wrong main course is brought to your table at first.
However, the Restaurant Marea by Rausch is a place I can recommend when you visit Cartagena – good food, fair prices, fair service, and lovely atmosphere.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Marea by Rausch
Centro de Convenciones
Calle 24 No. 8A-344
Cartagena (CO)
Tel.: +57 56 54 40 00
Homepage: http://www.mareabyrausch.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
