Walking from the beach to La Casa de Felipe where we were staying, our eyes noticed something out of place on our left – a restaurant sign featuring a French baguette and the word “sandwich”. In the fishing village of Taganga on the Caribbean coast? THAT got our attention.

And what sandwiches they are – cheese, vegetable, chicken, ground beef, and more. But these are not your ordinary sandwiches. They are the original creation of Arthur Ndu and his wife, Maria, whose originality is commendable. They combine the concept of a French-style sandwich with the local ingredients of the Colombian cuisine and the result is way beyond delicious. And I did not even mention the original sauces prepàred by Maria – savor them as you are not likely to find such savory concoctions anywhere else.

John chose cheese – okay, okay, that does not sound all that original but the picture on the menu was compelling. It featured a thin slice of ham, hand-made sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, and a generous slice of fresh Parmesan cheese, melted under a broiler with a garnish of chopped greens. At first bite, the light in his eyes told the tale of complete satisfaction. Luckily for me, he shared a bite and I concurred.

I opted for a fruit salad and yoghurt and, oh my, what a fruit salad! Beautifully prepared, it features papaya, mango, pineapple, grapes, raisins and a sprinkling of grated fresh parmesan cheese. To make it even better, thin slices of green apple gave just the right amount of tart and crisp contrast. And the dressing was a tasty yoghurt called mora in Spanish and which translates as blackberry or mulberry.

I savored that salad, every single morsel. A beautiful treat with a European accent.

Arthur is fun to talk with and his English is excellent; he enjoys sharing travel gossip and stories, with lots of laughter.

I noticed Arthur had a different accent and also a different “energy” from the local population, so I asked him about his origins. South Africa! What a journey to this village where travelers like us get the benefit of his creative menu.

Los Baguettes de Maria is also a guest house and located on Calle 18 No. 3-47, right across from the soccer field, on the way to La Casa de Felipe. Do stop in. And tell Arthur we sent you. And, by the way, Arthur reserves Friday evening and Saturday until 6 PM for the family time and, otherwise, the hours are 10 am – 10 pm.