John E.
Yelp
Mala Pata (Gateway Plaza - Raleigh)
Three of us spent $77.93 + tip on an excellent Colombian Sunday brunch at Mala Pata, and it more than lived up to the hype.
When the Michelin Southeast reviews came out last week, I learned for the first time about the "Bib Gourmand"category, essentially fine dining at great value. Mala Pata earned that distinction, and since none of us had been before, we decided to give it a try. Two of us are especially passionate about corn tortillas, which made this an easy choice.
Location & Arrival:
Mala Pata is in Gateway Plaza, an increasingly interesting destination that also houses Fiction Kitchen and Escazú Chocolates, two longtime favorites of ours. Parking was easy, but finding the door was a little tricky: the sign is above Fiction Kitchen, yet Mala Pata's entrance is actually around to the left.
Atmosphere & Service:
The interior is bright, stylish, and welcoming. We had a 12:30 reservation and were seated promptly by friendly staff. One of us is vegan, and the server handled that gracefully, helping us work out both vegan and non-vegan options for our starters. Many dishes run a bit spicy, but the staff was very accommodating in adjusting to suit our preferences.
What We Ordered:
Two plates of black beans - one vegan, one with cheese
Two Migas Tacos plates - one with chorizo, one without
Skirt Steak & Eggs Sunny
Water for drinks
The Food:
The star of the show for me was the handmade blue corn tortillas, a nostalgic favorite from my childhood, paired with perfectly scrambled eggs and bright seasoning. The Migas tacos (three per plate) were filling and flavorful, though the chorizo was a bit too spicy for my taste. The black beans were enjoyable, though one of us found them slightly under-seasoned.
The skirt steak was excellent, beautifully browned on the outside and juicy inside, just as it should be. The accompanying sauce was flavorful and balanced. The fried plantains were delicious, though two and a half pieces left us wanting more.
Overall:
Everything was fresh, vibrant, and thoughtfully prepared--though overall a touch under-salted for our palates. Still, the quality of ingredients and craftsmanship shone through. The staff was impressive: super friendly, professional, and attentive.
We'll definitely return.