Carmen XO: A Dining Experience like No Other in Colombia

TLDR? The Carmen XO Experience is a unique, interactive way to dine.

Looking for a standout dining experience without the classic fancy or stuffy vibe? Then Carmen’s XO is for you.

The music is a cool mix of smooth electronic & classic rock. The decor is Asian-inspired, with a stunning mural covering the centerpiece wall. Below it stands artistically crafted shelves stacked with massive pickling jars, each with seemingly exotic ingredients inside.

There’s a soft pink everywhere, from the lighting to the chairs, providing a classy and chic feel without being unapproachable or snobbish.

The Carmen XO is anything but a normal fancy dinner. 

Have I piqued your interest?

Introduction to the Evening

The cocktail list is beautifully curated, boasting liquors from around the world mingled with local flavors.

Right after my cocktail arrived I met the hosts of the evening: Carmen Angel, and Chefs Rob Previtts & Sebastian Marin.

One of my favorite parts was the good energy surrounding the entire team. The staff had a close friends/family vibe I loved. 

Tasting Menu - Carmen XO

Rob began by explaining what the night would entail. We would eat 15 tasting courses made with interesting ingredients meticulously sourced by the team from around Colombia.

He went course by course and briefly touched on the flavors we would discover and a teaser of the “story” of the food.

The XO Experience is truly a celebration of the biodiversity of Colombia. Even more so because the courses change based on the ingredients they source.

The team has a passion for adventuring in search of the best and most interesting flavors.  

The tasting menu was on the board in front as follows:

• Brodo Caviar

• Almeja

• Chawanmushi

• Foie Gras

• Sashimi

• Ostra

• Ceviche

• Guacho

• Hongos

• Langosta

• Kama

• Res

• Fruta

• Miel

• Cacao 

First Course

As with all tasting menus… the first course sets the mood for the entire evening and this one did not disappoint. Rob shared with us the process behind the XO Experience curating special, unique caviar.

This candor was kept up the entire evening. We definitely felt a part of the process of the food preparation. The care the team puts into ingredient sourcing is spectacular and full of passion. This is clear because everything is delicious!

Although the food was beyond memorable, my favorite part was the story behind each course. The team involved us in the act of creation, not just as customers eating food in a restaurant. 

How Good Is Good?

The Carmen XO Experience was, without hesitation, the best tasting menu I have experienced anywhere in the world to this day.

And, we’re talking about a line-up of tasting menus in Hong Kong, the USA, and Buenos Aires. Rob and Carmen took away the pretentiousness of the culinary arts and instead created a warm and passionate conversation. Food IS art! 

Drink Pairings

The courses were perfectly timed and the drink pairings were diverse! We had a sparkling rose, several red & white wines & a delicious ale. The drinks were perfectly proportioned and brought out the flavors of each course in unexpected ways. 

Little Touches

The entire experience was full of little extra special touches tailored to make the guest feel taken care of. At one point, Rob even brought out a mystery pickled fruit because I mentioned I liked acidic flavors.

Even the bathroom had a special twist with a heated seat! 

Final Thoughts

I’m a huge fan of tasting menus… What set this one apart was the friendliness of the team. There was no pretentiousness, there was only the highest quality food made with care and passion. There’s a reason this is called an experience. It was intimate and felt real.

This was not a show for the benefit of the guests, this was a passion and love for food and ingredients that I feel lucky to have been a part of!

Every course was specially sourced and created with love and vibes from this creative power couple and their amazing team.

To top off the evening, afterward, they played music at their speakeasy Jazz Bar in the Marquee Hotel, and we stopped by to watch! If you’re looking for a memorable activity in Medellín, then this is for you.

Try One of the Best Tasting Menus in Medellin

There really is nothing like the Carmen XO Experience. If you’re wanting to try some great food and get involved in the cooking process, this is the place to go! It's not normal that I have zero notes on improvement for a hospitality experience so if you can make it, you should.