The umlaut in its name is far from the only element of class and foreignness the Colombian restaurant Maïs Arepas has to offer, both in its menu and atmosphere.

The restaurant is cozy but the tables are spaced to facilitate comfort and movement. The lighting is low and romantic. The bar is cool and enticing, located front and center. This modern take on Colombian style food and drink is sure to please even the most conservative eater.  

Arepas are Venezuelan or, in this case, Colombian corn flour pancakes, which can be served sweetened or unsweetened. For those who have not had the pleasure of tasting arepas in the past, have no fear. Maïs Arepas offers a sampler on its appetizer menu. The sampler includes mini arepas with fillings like shredded beef, pulled pork and shredded chicken with avocado and green pepper. Each of the arepas on the sampler is delicious and adorably sized. The chicken arepa was the most enjoyable of the three, but the beef and pork were tied as close seconds. The maiz de la rueda appetizer, grilled corn smothered in spicy butter, salsa and a generous helping of cotija cheese, is crunchy, creamy, salty and a must try. The ajiaco, a potato soup served with shredded chicken, big chunks of corn on the cob, whole slices of avocado and rice with capers on the side is shockingly flavorful for a broth based soup and an excellent option for those seeking lighter fare that does not come at the expense of taste. 

The arepas are deserving of their place of prominence at this establishment: the choriarepa features grilled, sliced chorizo, avocado puree, aji sauce and melted mozzarella. This seemingly odd combination comes together in a lovely symphony of flavor in the traditional crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, cornmeal-based arepa dough. As previously mentioned, the cerda featuring Colombian-style pulled pork, maduros, pickled onions and cotija cheese strikes a wonderful balance between acidic and savory. The reina reigns as a favorite with its perfectly proportioned mixture of avocado mash and shredded chicken. You really cannot go wrong with this menu, but perhaps opt for an arepa other than the chicharepa, which features fried pork belly and avocado puree, as the texture of these fried pork belly cubes are a bit less appetizing than the other meats sampled.  

As for drinks, The Arcade recommends the sangria for those with a sweet tooth and one of the multiple flavors of mojito for those seeking a bit more tang in their refreshment. While it’s well worth the trip, Maïs Arepas is far for those without private transportation. If you have the financial and transportation means to visit this establishment, however, it deserves an immediate visit.