When in Lima, you will certainly be spending time in the cebicherias. These afternoons-only restaurants are loud, boisterous, and typically show off the fish they’ve picked up at the market that morning. Places like La Mar and El Mercado are usually only open from 12 – 5 p.m. We happened to get a table at … Continued
Located in Miraflores, El Mercado is chef Rafael Osterling’s lively, upbeat cebicheria where there’s so much more than just citrus-soaked fresh fish. Reminding me of La Mar, just down the road, start off with a maracuya (passionfruit) pisco sour, then jump into one of the half-dozen ceviches, all kissed with fresh lime, served with giant … Continued
Located in Surquillo – not far from Al Toke Pez, another of my favorites – La Picantería is one of many great restaurants in Lima open only for lunch (11 am – 5 pm). The emphasis is on family-style eating, however, so bring the gang, hang out in the cozy little bar with a few … Continued
If you want to know where the truly food-obsessed go for a great local eating experience, just ask a chef. I asked plenty on my visit, and they all agreed on one thing: Al Toke Pez. In the Surquillo District, the blink-and-you-miss-it storefront has just a handful of seats, all directed at chef/owner Tomas Matsufuji. … Continued
Chef Gaston Acurio knows how to spread the gospel of his beloved Peru. He’s got nine restaurants; some only in Lima, like his flagship fine dining Astrid & Gastón (skip it), but also more casual projects with locations outside of Lima, like Tanta (with a location in Chicago) and la mar cebichería peruana, which has … Continued
Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura’s father was from Osaka; his mother, from Peru. That mixture, known as “Nikkei,” results in dishes that marry both cultures. He draws extensively from the nearby Pacific Ocean, going to the fish market daily, then integrating that incredibly fresh seafood with the herbs, roots and vegetables that are found in Peru. Open … Continued
Chef Virgilio Martinez is part of the next wave of fine-dining in not only Peru, but in Latin America. Named the #1 restaurant at the 2014 Latin American 50 Best Restaurants, his menu explores the cuisine from the various elevations of Peru, from the abundant ocean to the highlands of the Andes. The nice thing here … Continued
Located in San Isidro, this restaurant is actually situated on the ground floor of chef and owner Javier Wong’s apartment, in what used to be his garage, and the mass of pictures of him with famous faces like Bourdain and Ripert signal you’re in for something special. Guess what? You’re not. DO NOT, I repeat, … Continued
LIMA, Peru – The earthenware dish was set before us, samples of raw potatoes, sourced from more than 3900 meters above sea level, were pointed out by our server, who spoke in both halting English and fluid Spanish. On a stone in the center of the plate, three small discs, resembling grey skipping stones with … Continued
Click below to hear my story from Lima, Peru, about the differences between chifa and nikkei cuisines.