Forget Machu Picchu.
Ceviche, tiradito and gourmet roast guinea pig are the real reasons to visit Peru, tastemakers are saying this month.
In an interview with Guest of a Guest, restauranteur Todd English let it slip that he predicts Peruvian Food Is the Next Big Thing, and foodies are rushing to weigh in on his opinion. The new “Bon Appetit” blog agrees with English, reports Grub Street, with chef Gaston Acurio seen as a leading light in the Peruvian culinary movement. The Grinder notes that some traditional Peruvian fare (lomo saltado, roasted cuy) may be too ordinary to rate as a trend, as some blog commenters have pointed out, but innovative chefs like Acurio may have the star power to bring Peruvian food to a wider audience.
The buzz is reaching across the pond to the intelligent folks at London’s Observer. James Dolan writes in How Would You Like Your Guineau Pig, Sir? that:
Machu Picchu may be one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, but it is really just a four-day schlepp up a big hill to watch the sunrise over a pile of rubble. The real reason to visit Peru is the food. While more athletic types huff and puff their way to high altitude I would rather be sitting in a darkened picantería with a steaming plate of chicharrones (the original hot pork scratchings) and a frothing glass of chicha de jora (fermented corn beer).
Doran describes his month of eating his way through Peru, a journey that begins when his plane touches down in Jorge Chavez Airport, Callao, and continues through Lima, Huancayo, Arequipa, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley. (Man, I’d love to be allotted his meal allowance!) Doran is enchanted by Peru’s street food and high cuisine, and praises Peruvian food for its variety and innovativeness.
He wonders:
How can it be possible, with such amazing and diverse foods on offer in this country, that every high street in the world does not have a Peruvian restaurant alongside the Indian, Italian and Chinese ones?
Good question, Doran, especially in the context of English and European cities.
In the U.S., however, Peruvian restaurants already are making inroads: in Miami, Washington, D.C., St. Louis and elsewhere.
I’ve never had Peruvian food in the U.S. that matched the best Lima restaurant fare, but maybe I haven’t hit the right places.
Readers in the United States: Your votes for best Peruvian restaurants where you live?
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13 responses so far ↓
1 Jorge // Aug 22, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I recommend the lomo saltado at INTI restaurant in Washington D.C.
http://www.intirestaurant.com/
2 Mike // Aug 22, 2008 at 8:10 pm
There’s quite a few good ones here in Chicago, including Rinconcito Sudamericano, Taste of Peru, and Ay Ay Picante (my newest favorite). I would say they are comparable to some of the restaurants I’ve been to in Lima. However, there’s no chicha and no pollo a la brasa to be found.
3 Koca // Aug 24, 2008 at 5:43 am
Best Ceviche, frejoles and jalea
in El Condor Pasa -Coral Springs Ft. Lauderdale
Best Pollo a la Brasa -La Granja franchise
South Florida
4 Karmina // Sep 5, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Mario’s in Los Angeles has the best lomo saltado outside Peru, in my opinion
5 Barb // Sep 6, 2008 at 9:52 am
For a listing of Peruvian restaurants in the United States, see the English-language website Peruvian Restaurants.org:
http://www.peruvianrestaurants.org/
It lists names and addresses of restaurants in 20 U.S. cities, organized by city.
The site lacks reviews, however, so it won’t help you determine which restaurants are truly worth the trip.
In contrast, the Peruvian Restaurant section in FoodBuzz offers readers’ reviews of 40 Peruvian restaurants worldwide (mainly in the U.S.):
http://www.foodbuzz.com/restaurants/cuisine/peruvian
Log on there to boost your favorite restaurant’s rating or to suggest that it be included.
6 sabrina // Sep 23, 2008 at 12:13 am
I live in Miami fl, and the best peruvian food made like home is definetely Claudia Cafe& restaurant. The food is unbelieveable!!!!
the best ceviche, lomo saltado, and fried rice….wuao…..so original.
this restaurant is located in sunny isles
the food, the service…….it’s unique!!
7 Barb // Sep 23, 2008 at 11:32 am
Sabrina — I lived in Miami for many years. Will have to check out Claudia’s the next time I’m there.
8 Peruvian Food Will Be Top Food Trend of 2009, Bets Epicurious | An American in Lima // Dec 6, 2008 at 8:36 pm
[...] Peruvian Food “Next Big Thing” Predicts Todd English, Bon Appetit (Aug. 22, 2008) Share and Enjoy: [...]
9 nora calvo // Feb 11, 2009 at 6:56 pm
The best Lomo saltado And Ceviche, in Saint Louis ,MIssouri at Mango Autentic Peruvian Cuisine.
10 Inca Princess // May 14, 2009 at 9:46 am
http://ayaypicante.com/
Peruvian Cuisine
Seafood
Ceviche
Papa ala Huancaina
Tamales Peruanos
Palta rellena de pollo, shrimp, vegetarian
11 Iñigo // Aug 13, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Dear wife and I have eaten at 3 star Michellin restaurants in the cutting-edge food scene that is Spain and don’t get me wrong they are certainly good, but to quote DW (who is American and does not have the same bias that I do) “there is just that something to Peruvian food”.
As long as people are making recommendations in North America… When in Montreal try Chef Mario Navarrete’s restaurant Raza. It is not traditional Peruvian, but it is just amazing, as he is taking Peruvian fusion in new directions.
12 Barbara // Aug 20, 2009 at 9:01 am
“Just that something. ” I agree with DW.
What type of fusion cuisine is Navarrete doing at Raza? Peruvian + Italian?
13 MNJR // Oct 10, 2009 at 2:57 am
new latin cuisine= nuevo latino
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