REVIEWS
Recommended by Mandy W (1st December 2007) (From Sugarvine.com)
Just been to BoBo LoBo for our work Christmas party. A table of 14 eating at 9pm wasn't an issue for them at all, even though they're a really small venue. We pre-ordered in advance - a selection of starters between us which were all excellent, and a variety of mains. The fajitas were the best, the steak and ribs great, and the half chicken dish was gigantic (could have done with some sort of sauce or salsa with it though). We had loads of wine and beers and shots of vodka, and still only managed to spend less than £470 between 14 of us, which we considered a bargain. The staff were really accommodating, turning the music down for us once everyone else had left the dining area, letting us stay at and move around our tables so we could play some games, and being swift to respond whenever we required booze top-ups. We moved to the downstairs bar at 1am where the atmosphere was really nice, some people had a dance and others just chatted in the bar. Music was good and the other clientele didn't seem in the least bit clique-y which you get in some of the latin joints in Leeds. All in all an excellent night out!
Recommended by Kim (7th October 2007) (From Sugarvine.com)
Just moved to york, and we are gradually trying to find the best restaurants. Bobo's stands out! I was expecting an overpriced and overated meal, however when we received our food I was surprised by the sheer size of the dishes, huge. And the quality was great. Twinned with a cocktail, one of the best places to eat in York.
Recommended by James (4th January 2006) (From Sugervine.com)
I have lived in York for a number of years now and alongside Oscars, Bobo has to be one of the best places to eat and party! A definite must for all who like something a bit different and the food is outstanding.
27 April 2004 - A Taste of Latin America (YO1 Magazine)
The food is fantastic and the atmosphere gently laid back - perfect for a long, lazy lunch with friends.
I sometimes think that lunchtimes should be like sunny summer holidays - long, lazy, laid back, enjoyable, and something you don’t want to end in a hurry.
So where better to spend such a lunch than in Latin American restaurant, Bobo Lobo?
The food is fantastic and the atmosphere gently laid back - perfect for a long, lazy lunch with friends.
Bobo Lobo is to be found in the trendy Latin Quarter, just opposite Oscars, where the Rubicon vegetarian restaurant used to be.
However, it doesn’t much resemble the former eatery - where Rubicon was subtle and low key, Bobo Lobo’s bold yet classy bar draws you in for a sneaky cocktail or two on a night out.
By contrast, the restaurant area at the back, with its whitewashed walls punctuated by bold pictures of salsa dancers, is naturally lit by the skylight and reminiscent of all those eateries that have been enjoyed in the holiday sun.
I went along with my friend Nina on a fairly quiet Monday afternoon.
We were seated next to the large mirror at the rear of the restaurant, a little cubby hole area where we could chat and merrily munch away to our hearts content. Though perfect for groups of friends, the restaurant is also intimate and quiet enough to enjoy a romantic meal with your other half.
The lunchtime menu differs to the larger evening menu, but there was a lot to choose from nonetheless.
We ordered a couple of drinks from the waiter (fairly standard prices - £2.55 for a vodka and cranberry, £3.70 for a glass of house red) and then plunged straight into browsing the main course options, taking a while to soak up the sunny sunshine recipes from countries such as Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil and Jamaica.
Nina decided that the fish option looked good, so went for the Salmonada y Chipotle Rollo (£5.95), basically a salmon wrap, which was served with fries. However, though it was very tasty, she also said that it was a little bit dry and could have done with a touch of sauce or salsa of some kind to give it a bit of a lift.
I went for Nachos Queso y Frijoles (£5.95). When the plate arrived, I wondered how big they thought I was - a six foot six rugby player might have struggled with the enormous portion of red, green and yellow corn nachos with refried beans, salsa, guacamole, cheese and salsa that had been placed in front of me!
However, that said, I attacked it with gusto, and can honestly say it was one of the tastiest lunches I’d had in a while.
The refried beans were done to perfection, and the nachos were crunchy and tasty without being bulky.
I surprised myself with how much I managed to tuck away, though it did beat me in the end.
Though fairly full, we both left a small space for dessert, as we noticed they had a particularly appealing sounding Strawberry Daiquiri Cheesecake (£3.75) on the menu, along with such other mouth-watering options as Kahlua Pie, Mango Compote and Chocolate Brownies.
We both ended up choosing the cheesecake option, and were glad we did - it was deliciously baked, and, complemented with a choice of either cream or ice-cream - including cappuccino, or even chilli ice cream if you were feeling daring - rounded off a delicious meal perfectly.
The bill came to a reasonable £25.65, and I was so impressed, I took my boyfriend for a meal there a couple of nights later!
If you can’t wait until your summer holidays for some sunshine in your life, then Bobo Lobo’s the place to get it!
by Natalya Wilson - May Edition YO1 Magazine on 27 April 2004
14 February 2004 - Latin American sunshine (Evening Press)
Alex Lloyd enjoys some Latin American sunshine at a new York eatery.
WITH such colourful and vibrant influences from which to draw, it is amazing that so many restaurants serving Latin American dishes fail to tantalise your tastebuds with anything like the excitement of the Rio Carnival or the rhythms of Buena Vista Social Club.
Thankfully, Bobo Lobo, a recent addition to York's trendy café-quarter, is a rare establishment where the food does justice to its rich cultural influences.
Housing a stylish bar at the front, the cosy, laidback restaurant area is tucked away at the back. The decor comprises of bright prints on simple, whitewashed walls.
Visiting on a Friday evening, my friend Andy and I were pleased to find Bobo Lobo has a lively atmosphere minus the bustle. It is ideal for couples and groups and offers imaginative and varied daytime and evening menus.
Taking a seat and surveying the gastronomic wonders of a continent, the adventurer within me was in her element, taking a good quarter of an hour to decide what to eat. While I dithered, Andy ordered us a bottle of Chenin Blanc Argentina (£12.95).
I opted to start my culinary journey in Argentina, turning down a couple of tempting prawn dishes and tortillas for margarita marinated chicken skewers, served on a papaya and mango salsa with a citrus salad (£4.95).
Following an explanation from our friendly, but slightly nervous, waitress of what the dish was, Andy took a more adventurous route with the Cuban patacones con crema (£3.95), lightly spiced plantain fritters served on a mango and coconut salsa.
With the glee of travellers who have just left port, we topped up our glasses and soaked up the warm ambience.
However, we all know that no trip is problem-free and after half an hour's wait, our apologetic waitress announced we had encountered the culinary equivalent of leaves on the tracks - there was a computer mix-up and our order had only just been processed.
Disappointed, we perked up when two fresh and colourful plates appeared within ten minutes.
A big fan of starters, I sometimes find they can spoil the main course but my chicken skewers were perfect. Tasty and with a wonderful tang to them, courtesy of the lime and tequila, the salsa was fruity and the salad light.
Andy declared his fritters were "a pleasant surprise. He discovered plantain had the appearance of banana but tasted like potato, the salsa adding a welcome kick thanks to some chillis.
Now revived, our main course appeared rather more swiftly.
Andy, a man who likes meat, opted for the traditional Mexican fare of steak fajita (£10.95) while I chose the Cuban dish of pan-fried red snapper with red onion and mixed cherry tomatoes on saffron rice (£14.95).
I added a side order of fries (£1.95) but I needn't have bothered because both dishes were more than plentiful.
The fajita came with a beautiful medium-rare slab of steak and a plate loaded with huge roasted bell peppers, onions, sour cream, guacamole, tomato salsa, cheese and five flour tortillas.
Attacking his meal with the gusto of a trekker who has been trapped in the jungle for a week, Andy said his fajitas were "the best I have ever had" although he would have liked his steak a little rarer and had not been asked how he wished it cooked.
My red snapper was light and moist, the saffron rice perfectly complimenting its delicate flavour, although I would have preferred less rice and more vegetables.
Stuffed, we staggered on to our final destination - dessert - and opted to share a mango compote (£3.75).
Our joint protestations of being unable to manage another mouthful strangely evaporated as soon as the delicious pot of sweet, gooey mango puree, topped with a layer of creme fraiche and caramelised sugar arrived. Its sublime balance of sweet and tart almost caused a falling out as our spoons duelled to collect every last mouthful.
With the warm glow of those who had just come to the end of a good holiday, we settled the bill of £53.45, a little pricey given the average level of service, but far cheaper than a trip to Mexico. If only every meal was such a journey.
Food: exciting
Service: average
Value: reasonable
Ambience: inviting
Disabled facilities: No
by Alex Lloyd - The Evening Press on 14 February 2004