Café Cacique at The Hotel Tamanaco in Caracas, Venezuela

I'm in my second day in Caracas visiting my parents and it is Sunday. Quickly, I got adjusted to the political shock and other things that Venezuela is passing through.

But this Sunday, my parents took me to the Hotel Tamanaco in Caracas which is a tradition to many Caraquenos to have "brunch" at the Hotel.
The Hotel is located in prestigious Las Mercedes area which is close the heart of one of the city's most prestigious shopping, entertainment and business district. Plus, the Hotel is located in a mountain with a view to the city. Surrounded by green vegetation you feel free from the traffic of the city.

The moment you enter the parking lot you can see the vegetation and nature right away. The entrance of the hotel (the lobby) is very modern and with long windows which has view to the city. The majestic Avila Mountain is right in front of you. It is just breathtaking. It looks like a paradise place. Shining floors, great furniture, modern sculpture and very friendly people saying "Good morning".

After enjoying the atmosphere of the lobby, we went downstairs to where the swimming pool and the Cafe Cacique are located. The moment we enter we want it to eat outside to enjoy the day.(Even though, the last couple weeks Caracas has have cold and cloudy weather). There was no space outside so we decide to eat inside with the view to the swimming pool. The way how this works is one price for all you can eat. So right away, I left my table and went to see where the food was. OMG, everything that I missed was there. From a table full of typical Venezuelan food, to fruit table to the typical continental breakfast.





You can see people dress up very nicely getting their plate with all these delicious food. After browsing the buffet, I did manage to focus and got a plate with the following:
1. arepas fritas (Fried arepas - corn patties)
2. Caraotas negras (black beans)
3. Carne Mechada (shredded beef)
4. Perico (scramble eggs)
5. Tajadas (fried plantains)
6. Nata (Cream of the cream of the milk)
7. Queso blanco (white shredded cheese)
8. Empanada de caraota y queso (small fried patty filled with black beans and white cheese)

My mom got similar plate, but she choose beef and a sausage instead of nata. To tell you the true, it looks that we ate like pigs, but not really. It was all very nice and all the flavors made the combination of sweet of the plantain with the salty of the black beans and the white cheese amazing. It is just too hard to explain. Only someone that has tasted this before will understand. It is just criollo, latino, just unique.
This is a feeling that any Venezuelan leaving outside missed the most. Even if they try to replicate the flavors it is hard to get.

Of course, beside of the amazing food we had great tropical fruits with an amazing coffee. Remember that I grade a restaurant by the type of cappuccino they offer. Well, here is no need to ask for cappuccino. Just order black coffee and that is a real coffee. :)















Café Cacique

After having breakfast at Café Cacique, you may never again settle for coffee and toast. The traditional Venezuelan feast features Criollo dishes such as Arepas with caraotas (black beans), Guyanese cheese and telita cheese, and Beef and Chicken Desmechadas slow-cooked in tomato sauce. For larger appetites, the Grand Tamanaco is Caracas’s most complete breakfast. After browsing the buffet or the à la carte menu, you’ll enjoy your selections in the air-conditioned dining room or on the terrace.
Location: In Hotel - Next to the pool
Services: Breakfast

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/overview/caracas

TAMANACO CARACAS
FINAL AV. PRINCIPAL DE LAS MERCEDES • CARACAS, 1060-A • VENEZUELA
Front Desk: +58-212-9097111 • Fax: +58-212-9097116