Carli Clesmere Bogota has welcomed a new restaurant in recent weeks, and it is already setting itself apart from much of what surrounds it. One Lev has officially opened its doors at 64 West Main Street, bringing a fresh take to the local dining scene. The restaurant reimagines Kosher cuisine through the lens of elevated street food. Read on to learn more about this new foodie destination.
Behind One Lev
One Lev was founded by Chef Meny Vaknin and Robert Genovese, two industry vets brought together by a passion for food and hospitality. Chef Vaknin, an Israeli-born chef, is the force behind acclaimed concepts such as MishMish, Marcel Bakery and Kitchen, and Luisa, and is also a winner of Food Network’s Chopped. Robert Genovese, a native of New York City, brings a background in marketing, along with experience in hospitality leadership.
Genovese was a regular at Chef Vaknin’s restaurants, while Vaknin often visited Genovese’s neighborhood café, the well-known Local Coffee. Over time, those casual visits evolved into conversations, and those conversations ultimately gave rise to a shared vision for a place centered on connection, quality, and care.
The name One Lev draws from the Hebrew word “lev,” meaning heart. The concept was built around the idea of one heart, one place, and one welcoming space where guests can come together for thoughtful food, attentive service, and an atmosphere that feels genuine + warm. More than just a place to eat, One Lev is about the feeling created when intentionally crafted food is paired with true hospitality.
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About the Menu
Embedded in Certified Kosher standards, the menu at One Lev blends satisfying flavors with a modern, street food–inspired approach. One of the highlights is the burekas, a flaky Mediterranean pastry traditionally filled with savory ingredients. At One Lev, burekas are available in three ways: four cheese, Moroccan-spiced potato, and spinach with feta.
Beyond burekas, the menu features a rotating selection of baked goods, both sweet + savory. Basta eggs are another menu standout and can be ordered as a plated dish with a choice of bread. For a quick pick, the BG team would likely go for the twisted egg salad sandwich, which comes with shakshuka sauce and a side of warm pita for dipping.
The menu also features all-day shakshuka, along with lunch-focused options like grain bowls and pita sandwiches. To round things out, One Lev serves smoothies, coffee, matcha, and tea, making it a spot that works just as well for breakfast as it does for lunch.
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What’s Next
In a press release shared with our editors, the team behind One Lev noted that the Bogota location is just the beginning. The concept was designed to grow thoughtfully, with additional locations already on the horizon.
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