Residents of Bogota can now enjoy the unique culinary diversity of Puerto Rico. The island’s flavors, which blend Spanish, African, and Taíno influences, are now available at Bistro Taino. The menu aims to offer “a taste of classic Puerto Rican food from scratch, as intended.”
That quote comes courtesy of General Manager and Owner Abner Perdomo. Abner also owns Casual Habana in Hackensack and New Milford and Pop Taco & Bar in Dumont. He runs Bistro Taino with Ben Rivero, a trained chef who has 20 years of experience owning and operating restaurants. In particular, his vast experience with Caribbean cuisine comes from his many visits to Puerto Rico.
Listen to The Best of New Jersey Podcast!
An Authentic Puerto Rican Menu
Abner says popular dishes at the moment include Alcapurrias and Pollo Jibaro. The former are crispy plantain and root vegetable fritters stuffed with ground beef, stewed chicken, or sauteed blue crab. Meanwhile, the latter is a boneless half chicken pan roasted and deboned, then topped with homemade sofrito sauce.
But his favorite dish is the Mofongo de Chicharron. The dish includes mashed plantain, crispy pork belly, garlic, and a pour-over consommé sauce to tie the meal together. “It’s a classic Puerto Rican dish that never disappoints,” Abner says.
Bistro Taino also boasts a full bar with a variety of craft cocktails, beer, wine, sangria, and Puerto Rican rum. They serve a Happy Hour menu with drinks and tapas at the bar every Tuesday through Saturday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, as well as all day Sunday.
About the Restaurant
Bistro Taino is a 1250-square foot space that replaces the Italian restaurant La Famiglia. They can seat 90 diners. “Our inspiration for the overall look of Bistro Taino were summer vacations in Old San Juan,” Abner explains. “We wanted the colors and decor to evoke the feeling of a bright tropical getaway in the heart of Bogota.”
The restaurant also has a second floor, known as the Umbrella Room. This space is available for private parties of up to 40 guests.
Visit Bistro Taino at 107 East Main St in Bogota. Look for them online to learn more.
See the Latest Restaurants Open in New Jersey.
Bistro Taino FAQs
Yes, they offer reservations.
Yes, they have gluten-free options.
Bistro Taino offers vegetarian options, yes.
They do offer takeout, yes.
Yes, they offer delivery via Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash.
Yes, they serve a variety of cocktails.
They do have a kids’ menu, yes.
All Photos: © Bistro Taino
