YEE: Gold Elite Event at Kiosco

So yeah, never wrote a review. Shitty shitty me. This event was fantastic! Cheers to Heidi for hosting and l’chaim to Kiosco for having us. The food was super delicious, especially those chicken empanadas, sweet plantains, and habanero vinaigrette. I have already given several Marietta buddies food recs to your restaurant so mission accomplished. I will be back.

What an awesome even it was great to see such a group of super duper gold elites! Kiosco really rolled out the red carpet for us and fed us until we were stuffed, and then provided us with take out boxes, which was something I have never seen at an event. The empenadas were delicious and flavorful as was the seafood pallea. This is such a quaint little spot of the Marietta square almost a perfect date night spot and with free parking after 6pm! The owner Eddie was well as the staff went above and beyond, thank you so much!

Wowee, I was floored again. Heidi P.: You did an amazing job partnering up with the folks over at Kiosco for a super memorable GOLD Elite dinner.
Going in with zero expectations other than the fact that we’d be stuffing our faces, this event superceeded all expectations and more. I enjoy these GOLD dinners because 1. They are smaller and more intimate. Which means you are sitting with a handful of Unilocalers who are just as passionate about Unilocal as you are and 2. You get to enjoy a full service food experience with a chance to sample all sorts of menu items that you would never normally unless you visit the restaurant on your own.
The entire staff, including the owner, Eddie were pleasant, gracious and super generous with their food and service. Our entire group were satisfied and there was plenty of food left over for folks to share.
I’ve seen this restaurant pop up on Unilocal through various UYEs but never got around to checking them out. After tonight’s event, I’m definitely going to make a future visit with friends. Everything that was served tasted delicious!
I enjoyed the laid back, casual atmosphere and Heidi did a great job of making each and every one of us feel special with hand written notes and tons of NEW Unilocal schwag.
Thanks to Heidi P. and the folks at Kiosco for going ALL OUT and making our GOLD Elite dinner experience one that goes down in history as one of my favorite Unilocal events!

I’ve been pretty lucky to get to go to two gold elite events, one ITP and one OTP, and let me tell you there is no way to even try to pick one over the other. SO. MUCH. FOOD.
The restaurant was almost basically closed to us, and we sat at a big table together covered in gold and goodies. As we sat, we were given water and a choice among red, white, or mango sangrias. I had the white and later the mango. Both were very good, I think I’d take the white over the mango because the mango is much sweeter.
Shortly after that, we were brought out plates of beef and chicken empanadas. It was my first time having empanadas, and I am still asking myself HOW DID IT TAKE THIS LONG?! They were so amazing, especially with the habanero sauce with them.
Next we were brought out a raw carrot and chickpea salad and a lentil soup. I didn’t like the salad too much but that’s because I can only stand so much cilantro before it tastes like I ate soap. It was good besides that! I downed the soup though, it was amazing.
Then…plate after plate of food began to arrive. My mom had just visited this past weekend and went home only to take my dad to the airport, so she starts lonely texting me. I sent her a picture of all the plates, to which she said, are you sure that’s enough food? HOLY CRAP. I was so full into the next morning!
First there was a plate with yuca, avocado, plantains, more empanadas, and steak and chicken. Then another plate with more steak and chicken along with sausage and chicarron. Then there was paella, which I didn’t have because I’m not a huge seafood person and I pretty much already filled my plate… my real reason. And then came the amazing roast chicken, followed by plates and plates of amazing sauces, oh and rice and beans, and mixed vegetables.
Everything was SO GOOD. You may think wow, grilled meats, amazing, but really, SO GOOD. The roast chicken was so good, and normally I’m not a fan of putting sweet sauces on savory food, but that raspberry sauce was amazing.
And then… as I sat there totally full… I had the best worst thought… there is so going to be dessert.
Coconut custard cake, tres leches cake, carrot cake, and coffee flan. I tried everything because you HAVE to at this point right? The coconut cake was my favorite easily, with the tres leches not far behind.
Eddie then also gave us 20% off cards so I can’t wait to come back for more. Sara and Leyra did an amazing job explaining everything and taking care of us along with him!
Thank you soooo much Heidi for organizing this, it was so amazing! It was my first time having specifically Colombian food and it won’t be the last time, for sure.

This was my first Gold Elite event. It certainly lived up to the flashy title. My husband, Alex H., works near Kiosco and has had lunch there in the past. He raved to me about the chicken, and it did not disappoint. Everything was delicious (seriously, I have no complaints whatsoever) but the roast chicken and the chicken empanadas were my favorites.
Not only was the food amazing, it was plentiful beyond compare. I couldn’t believe how much food they gave us! Eddie and his team really treated us like royalty. Thank you for a lovely evening. I look forward to returning again on my own.

Unilocal OTP’s first Gold Elite Event was a feast in every sense of the word. Twelve of us were lucky enough to be wined and dined by the generous folks at Kiosco Colombian Restaurant at Marietta Square. I’ve been to this restaurant for lunch since it’s not too far from where I work, but I’ve never been for dinner. It was a seated affair, communal-​style, and we were fed multiple courses until our bellies were beyond full.
Kiosco is a small restaurant so our group basically took over the place. Gracious owner Eddie B. and friendly servers Sara and Leyra were on top of everything. We were well taken care of and treated like VIPs — this was only my second Gold event, but I’m already noticing a theme here. I loved the intimate setting of the dinner. It was like dining with family ( Unilocal family).
Heidi personally hand-​wrote each of us thank you cards. It was very sweet of her. Yeah I know, these events are supposed to make us feel special and Heidi certainly followed through on that. The Unilocal community is awesome and it’s one of the main motivating factors for me to stay active.
The evening started off with sangrias. Since I wasn’t drinking, the servers offered Colombian soda to me instead. How nice of them. It was Postobon apple soda. Good stuff.
We started off with chicken empanadas, beef empanadas, chickpea and carrot salad, and lentil soup. The appetizers were excellent. I enjoyed the fresh habanero sauce served with the empanadas. The chickpea and carrot salad was simple, refreshing, and healthy. All of us knew we were in for a long night of eating, so we paced ourselves and attacked this course moderately.
The mains included a picada meat plate with homemade sausage, steak, chicken, and chicharron. There was a plate with plantains, yuca frita, maduros, and avocado. Another plate had beautiful roast chicken and cilantro, lime, and raspberry dressing. There was also a seafood paella with shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, and squid. There were sides of plain rice and mixed vegetables (zucchini, carrots, onion, broccoli) and sauces galore. Oh, and pinto beans too. It was a Colombian smörgåsbord overload.
The food was delicious and I’m not just saying that because it was on the house. With the exception of the savory meat plate, the dishes were relatively healthy and superb. I think I liked the roast chicken the best. It was well seasoned and cooked, incredibly tender and moist.
Fortunately, we got to pack leftovers to take home. As soon as we did, the onslaught of desserts began. We had four desserts: coffee flan, carrot cake, coconut cobbler, and tres leches cake. Lots of chocolate syrup everywhere. The rich tres leches cake edges out the coffee flan for my favorite of that group.
Finally, Heidi crafted a neat real-​life Unilocal profile photo frame that we took pictures with. Example:
. Very fun and creative.
Many thanks to Heidi for putting this fantastic event together and to Eddie, Sara, and Leyra at Kiosco for their exceptional service. Also thanks to Brittany Wages for the photos. Keep up the great work, Heidi!

Edited to add the Unilocal memory that heidi asked us for: Stephie Z said it should be about her getting me to start Unilocaling, but I think I’ve got to go with Unilocal getting me into Hotoberfest an hour early with the VIP’s.
I’ll do my best to not just point to John E’s review and say «that». I’ve been to Kiosco before for lunch and will be back again for certain. Thank you for the reminder to put up a review that I have been shamefully neglecting.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of Unilocal events, but this was the best Unilocal Elite event I’ve been to possibly ever. Thank you, Heidi, for arranging this and making us feel appreciated! Thanks to Eddie, Sara, and Leyra for the fantastic hospitality.
I am off to have fried chicken and tres leche dreams.

«There are schedules to be maintained, even in Colombia.» — Romancing the Stone (1984)
So full I might die… but it will be a good death.
Thanks so much to the ever thoughtful Goddess, Heidi P and her first Gold Elite Event — quite the rousing success! I had no idea of this hidden gem off the Marietta Square and am wondering how I have missed it all these years — I’ll be back for many empanadas and roast chicken — for sure.
We started with many glasses of Sangria — red or mango and in short order there were large plates of beef and chicken empanadas steaming at our table. The saucy Habanero vinaigrette alongside was both a delight and a kick in the pants as well. Had I known the amounts of food to follow, I might not have continued to go back again and again for more… I was fortunate to be seated next to Stephie Z for many reasons — but it just meant I got her allotment of beef empanadas as well…
Next up was the chickpea and carrot salad AND the mushroom lentil soup. Soup when it is 85 degrees outside… really? One bite, and I knew it was required. At this point, the smells wafting from the kitchen were getting a bit ridiculous and I stopped at halfsies on the salad and soup — a sacrifice I felt I had to make in order to save stomach space!
Out came the entrees of Paella (of which I could not partake, but had calamari, mussels, shrimp, clams and bay scallops) — it looked amazing. Then the meat and starch platters — filled with more chicken, beef, chicarrons, maduros, yucca, tostones, mini empanadas, homemade sausage and arepa. Plus, there were plates of steamed white rice and pinto beans. Then, the best roasted chicken ever placed in front of me. They served it with a raspberry coulis on the side — you could eat it without, but I ate the last half with it. We had many sauces presented to us — curry, coconut sauce, more of the Habanero sauce, a crema and a ketchup/​mayo hybrid.
Like we could fit another bite — out came 4 desserts. A carrot cake (stuffed with walnuts, so off limits for me), a coconut custard cake (also off limits), a tres leches (delightful) and my personal favorite that I barely shared… a coffee flan. YUMMMMMM.
Owner Eddie was so gracious and thoughtful and our servers Sara and Leyra took excellent care of us all night keep glasses filled, clearly plates, bringing more sauces and even providing togo boxes when needed! I did feel bad for the patrons who were forced to sit outside for dinner (in the heat) or were turned away so we could get our Gold treatment — I hope it doesn’t cause them any negative feelings!
I cannot wait to go back for more empanadas… after I take at least a week to digest tonight’s dinner please.

Heidi and the guys [Eddie and his crew] at Kiosco really really really spoiled us on this event. Food kept coming out of the kitchen and I had to be very careful to not each too much of each plate or I won’t be able to try everything. Everything came out family style so I can’t speak for the portions of the actual dishes outside of this event. This is what being Elite Gold is all about!
HOUSE MADE SANGRIA [mango, white, or apple red]
I had the mango sangria and I stuck to that one because it was delicious… and i just kept hammering them down.
EMPANADAS
They brought out chicken and beef empanadas with a spicy Aji sauce made with habanero peppers. They were so delicious. I tried one of each and both were yummy. The aji sauce is housemade, hot, and freaking awesome.
ROASTED CHICKEN
Probably my favorite dish here. The dish comes with half a chicken so I highly recommend sharing this this. The skin is so crispy and packed full of delicious flavoring. The meat is tender and juicy. Comes with delicious raspberry sauce.
LENTIL SOUP AND CARROT GARBANZO BEAN SALAD
The salad I can do without at first… but after all the heavy meat, the carrots and refreshing greens come a nice balance. I’m not a beans kind of person so i ate most of the carrots instead.
The soup is very good. Dark, flavorful, and very good. This would be amazing on a cold winter night.
MEAT PLATE
This is the meat list from John E: chorizo, mini empanadas, chicharrons, maduros, patacones, yucca, chicken and beef (Picada para dos)! The meats are all flavorful and quite good. I was very full so I tried only a little bit and went for the paella. I loved the plantains though.
SEAFOOD PAELLA: shrimp, bay scallop, muscles, clams etc.
The paella is so well done. The broth is just so full of flavor, and it seeps into the pilaf rice. I highly recommend this if you love a good seafood dish. I thought this was one of the best dishes they served.
DESSERT was just ridiculous.
TRES LECHES is one of the best I’ve ever had. COFFEE FLAN was nice and not too sweet. COCONUT CAKE was perfectly rich and the coconut is to die for. CARROT CAKE was very moist and fluffy.
This place is very small, with only a few high tables, so make reservations if coming on a weekend. Heck, make a reservation on a weekday too. It gets packed.

Wow — this was the best Unilocal Elite event I’ve been too in so many years, hands down! Thank you, thank you, thank you Heidi for arranging such a splendid event! The food, the company, the drink and the venue were all top-​notch!
We started with one of two different sangrias — mango and red. Then came some of the best chicken and beef empanadas I’ve ever had with a smoking habanero sauce! Next came courses of beef broth mushroom lentil soup and a yummy cold carrot, onion, pepper and garbanzo bean salad.
Then out came a freaking huge pile of chorizo, mini empanadas, chicharrons, maduros, patacones, yucca, chicken and beef (Picada para dos)! Followed by a huge plate of paella (with shrimp, bay scallop, muscles, clams and calamari rings) and another plate of grilled steak, chorizo, chicharrone, maduros, avocado and a side of rice and pinto beans (Bandeja Paisa). And it didn’t stop there — Medio Pollo al Horno (half roasted chicken with a delicious raspberry sauce) and a plate of mixed veggies! Several sauces were served to vary the flavors, but really none was needed — this was some of the best seasoned food I’ve had.
Ending in four desserts: a really delicious tres leches, one of the best flans I’ve had in Atlanta, a coconut custard fetish and a homemade carrot cake — everything was way over-​the-​top and delicioso! I can’t wait to come back!
Thanks to our hosts, Heidi of Unilocal!and Eddie of Kiosco, and our two fantastic servers, Sara and Leyra, who took spectacular care of us all — good food, great drinks, fantastic company! What more can you ask for?