By Shauna Rusnak

Full Story">Full Story" alt="" width="300" height="225" />Author Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s fictional town of Macondo has inspired imaginations around the world for over forty years. Two years ago, Miguel Olmos and his long-time friend and business partner Genaro Casas manifest their version of Macondo as a restaurant and bar on Calle Calzada. Like Márquez’s town, Granada’s Macondo is a place where interconnections between the interests and passions of people - owners, staff, artists, and patrons - create an atmosphere that is inconspicuously distinct and ripe to ignite imaginations.

Originally from Valencia, Spain, Miguel - a journalist for publications such as El Mundo - and Genaro - a photographer and chef – first visited Nicaragua in 1994 while extensively traveling throughout Latin America. Their international experience combines into a menu that offers a range of Mexican, Mediterranean, Nicaraguan, and Spanish dishes; such as the delicious paella – available in vegetarian, chicken or seafood. While the price of the seafood version makes it a rare treat, the other two – with a minimum order for two people – are a justifiable splash. It’s best to call ahead (871-6149) and make a reservation for any of the Spanish or other specialized dishes – as they require at least an hour to prepare. Regardless of what you order - from fresh salads topped with cracked rock salt to tostones mixto - the high quality of the food at Macondo is unmistakable.

In conjunction with great food, Macondo boasts an often quiet but extraordinarily comfortable and engaging atmosphere. With the seemingly most diverse and vast selection of music in Granada - along with a fantastic sound system - Miguel skillfully caters the playlist to the patrons at any given time. To further inspire, Macondo frequently has visual art exhibits that often promote Nicaraguan talent. Currently, only a small exhibit of photos by a Valencian artist decorates the sala. In December however, a large exhibition in the corredor will celebrate Nica art – as they did previously with the work of Robert Barberena de La Rocha.

While Calzada is still closed on the East end, rocking or sitting outside at Macondo grants a front row seat to a grand display of ‘driving in reverse’ (akin to ‘running with scissors’). The entertainment doesn’t end there though. Along with the often “perfect” music and visual art, for only $5 per hour you can book Latin dance lessons with a private instructor. Guest DJs host some Thursday and weekend nights, and at least once a month the Macondo crew throws a themed party. The next big night is a “Bring Your Hat to Dance Party”, complete with prizes for best hats (check with Macondo for details).

So, the next time you’re heading away from Parque Central and reach the Zoom and Coyotes corner of Calzada, suppress the thought, “it doesn’t look like there’s much past here” and keep walking. Rain may have lead to the final decline of Márquez’s Macondo, but rain or shine, half a block down on the right you’ll find Granada’s Macondo… poised to inspire your palate and senses.