A few years back, George Constantinou, then an aspiring restaurateur, attended a "how to" workshop on opening and running a business conducted by The Workshop In Business Opportunities ("WIBO"). The course assisted them in creating a business plan for what was to become Bogota Bistro.

Upon graduation 16 weeks later, both Ali and Constantinou attended the Brooklyn Business Library's entrepreneurial fair and learned about the library's annual business-plan competition, PowerUP!. Sponsored by Citigroup Foundation, entrants attended classes on topics like creating a business plan, budgeting and marketing and then submit a plan.

In late 2003, Mr. Constantinou and his partner, Farid Ali, who spent hours at the library mining databases, took home the top prize: $10,000 in cash and $10,000 in services. While it certainly wasn't enough money to open up the restaurant, winning the competition from amongst a field of almost 300 applicants validated the vision they had for their restaurant.

"The story of Bogota Latin Bistro is one of determination, discipline, faith and a lot of hard work. We are very proud of what we have created. Please stop by, have a drink, enjoy an empanada or two, and say hello. Bogota Bistro is a tribute to our mom's cooking as well as to our travels throughout latin america.

We're not your typical Colombian restaurant -- we like to think we've created something very unique we're sure you'll love."

Bogota Latin Bistro is Brooklyn's only pan-latin restaurant of its kind specializing in Central & South American cuisine with an emphasis on Colombian dishes. Owners Farid Ali (part Colombian) and George Business Plan Competition Winners Constantinou (part Costa Rican) infuse some color into Park Slope with Bogota Bistro, which opened its doors in July of 2005 after taking a $90 dollar business course sponsored by the Workshop In Business Opportunities ("WIBO")and then going on to win an award for the restaurant concept in the PowerUP! business plan competition sponsored by CitiBank and the Brooklyn Public Library.

On par with some of Manhattan's best latin restaurants, Bogota is a relaxed neighborhood restaurant that mixes latin-inspired cuisine with tropical drinks including mojitos, caipirinhas, and imported latin american wines and beers. Happy hour is all night on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday with reduced prices on the most popular drinks.

The menu features an assortment of small plates, large plates, side dishes and desserts that allow you to mix, match and share dishes to create a customized dining experience on every visit. Bogota also has live music featuring some of the very best up and coming latin artists on the scene today.