D’ André Gourmet: A Poblado Restaurant Offering Incredible Value

D’ André Gourmet started off small, serving breakfasts at their original Poblado location.

Success soon followed, and upon moving to their current location at Carrera 37 #10-15, a block from Parque Lleras, they began serving lunch too.

And by the time you read this post, they’ll have expanded their options and hours even further, offering a full dinner menu.

Before leaving Medellin for the holidays last month, I stopped by D’ André Gourmet for lunch.

The restaurant is located a few feet off Calle 10, ensuring it’s easy to find. There’s a small outdoor patio in front, and additional seating inside.

The space doubles as an art gallery, with exhibits rotated several times a year. Works by Marleny Pineda were hanging at the time of my visit, and it added a touch of sophistication to the atmosphere.

My lunch began with a creamy tomato soup (3,500 pesos, $1.80), and was followed by a wonderfully presented salad, the first course of my set lunch (13,700 pesos, $7).

I immediately noticed the attention to detail with the way both of these starter dishes were presented. The soup was nicely garnished, and the salad had some height to it, not to mention peeled tomatoes.

It was by far the nicest salad I’ve seen included in a set lunch. Typically in Medellin, and Colombia as a whole, the “salad” included in a fixed price lunch is nothing to write home about.

Clearly Colombian chef Andres Fernando Cespedes Galvis was aiming higher with his restaurant, and I for one, appreciated it.

There were several options for the entrée. I went with the Cordon Bleu, with a side of fried yuca. Once again, it was beautifully presented.

The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the yuca was just the way I like it, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. The dollops of yellow sauce and parsley added color to the dish.

Other options for the entrée that day included artisanal pasta with salmon in a blue cheese sauce (13,700 pesos, $7), pork with vegetables (12,500 pesos, $6.50), and robalo (fish) with a mushroom sauce (12,500 pesos, $6.50). All four options sounded delicious.

Dessert was a small slice of moist cake, accompanied by a fruit sauce. Again, the attention to presentation elevated the dish.

To reiterate the fantastic value on offer at D’ André Gourmet, allow me to repeat the cost of this three course set lunch, including a fruit juice was 13,700 pesos, or $7.

I also want to touch on the rest of the menu, starting with other lunch options, which include a variety of sandwiches (salmon, chicken, vegetarian, ham and cheese). They even offer bagel sandwiches with egg or salmon. Bagels are still not common in Medellin. Crepes, arepas, and empanadas fill out the lunch options.

The menu for the breakfasts alone is enough to bring me back (several times). Choices include Eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, a variety of omelettes, and pancakes, as well as paisa and Santander style breakfasts. Costs range from 4,900 pesos ($2.60) for the simplest eggs with an arepa and drink to 15,200 pesos ($7.90) for the “big breakfast.”

Hungry yet?

D’ André Gourmet offers one of the best values in Poblado, if not all of Medellin. Beyond the creative menu, and artful presentation, the service was also attentive, and the restaurant clean and comfortable.

I’m already looking forward to my next meal when I get back. The only question is whether it will be breakfast or dinner.

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My lunch was provided compliments of D’ André Gourmet.