A new Colombian restaurant, Parche, makes its Uptown Oakland debut

You’ve never seen lulo, feijoa and maracuya like this before.

Parche, a modern Colombian restaurant, has just opened in Oakland’s buzzy Uptown District, showcasing traditional Colombian ingredients with contemporary flair. Colombian co-owner Paul Iglesias, formerly of Canela Bistro & Wine Bar in San Francisco, opened Parche on Jan. 13, celebrating South American cuisine and culture with a menu and cocktail program not typically seen in the area. Parche is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at 2295 Broadway in Oakland.

Parche, roughly translated, means “a familial-style gathering place for a group of people to come together.” As such, the restaurant’s menu is small plate-centric, with dishes like Arepa de Anis, a corn cake with anise and barranquilla-style ají made with roasted veggies and tahini; Posta Negra, slow-cooked short rib in a Cartagena-style sauce made of cola and panela; and Ceviche de Chicharron with charred mandarin, sriracha, lime juice and pickled red onions.

Look for a thoughtful, Colombian-inspired beverage program, too, including house sodas made with Colombian fruits, boozy coffee drinks and a “Trans-Atlantic tonica” section featuring Spanish and Colombian spirits. Pay extra attention to the distinctive interior design, which features bold colors, custom balays and murals depicting Colombian spirit animals, the condor and jaguar.

Details: www.parcheoak.com.