newsletter
august 2007
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Peruvian Dining, Coast to Coast
US restaurant critics and food writers have long tagged Peruvian food as the next big trend. The refreshing pisco sour cocktails, the simple but flavorful ceviche, and the causa layered with mashed potatoes, avocado, and tuna promise just the unique flavors and distinct preparations that impassion culinary professionals. These flavors and preparations, with the growth of the Peruvian food trend, are quickly becoming available throughout the United States. In Washington D.C., locals can dine the spicy flavors of Peru at The Washington Post's picks: La Canteras (2307 18th St. NW, 202-265-1780) or La Limeña (765-B Rockville Pike, 301-424-8066). Be sure the try the grilled anticucho kabobs at La Limeña. In Denver, Ceviche (2257 W. 32nd Ave., 303-433-1305) gets the thumbs up from The Denver Post dining critic whose says the restaurant is better than those he's tried in New York, Miami, or San Francisco. On the Oregon coast, diners can check out Andina (1314 NW Glisan, 503-228-9535) which won The Oregonian newspaper's award for Restaurant of the Year in 2005.
Shopping for Peruvian Food
Peru's distinct geographic zones - coast, mountains, and jungle - bless the country with a wealth of native ingredients that are to find outside of the country. Few people have the opportunity to try the sweet piquillo peppers or the rich chiramoya custard apple that come out of Peru, unless they travel to the country. Gertie's Finest a California-based wholesaler of Peruvian products has made a significant step, though, in closing the bridge between US supermarkets and Peruvian ingredients. Gertie's jars of sweet piquillo peppers, tangy pickled asparagus, and buttery artichoke olive tapenade are available through the company's website, Amazon.com, Costco, and Whole Foods. We recommend an appetizer platter of the tapenade, peppers, asparagus, and Gertie's hearts of palm and a bottle of Chilean carmenere red wine. For more information on Gertie's products, visit www.gertiesfinest.com.
What's a Huarique?
In Lima, knowing the top restaurants isn't enough to define you as a gourmand. You must have a handful of favorite huariques under your belt before others will trust your culinary knowledge. A huarique is a flavorful hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Its food is simultaneously sophisticated and homey; its small dining room usually hums with conversation and clanking glasses; and after 1 p.m. - Peruvian lunch hour - a huarique undoubtedly has a wait. Sandra and Kazia have spent several months exploring Lima's huariques, and among their favorites - some which they share with Pica Peru travelers - are Chez Wong, El Grifo, La Red, and El Rincon que No Conoces. At each of these restaurants, you will find locals praising the classic Peruvian dishes as well as the chefs' flavorful new inventions. For more information on huariques, contact Sandra or Kazia, or the book Grandes Huariques del Peru (Wust Ediciones, 2006).