Waiting for his flight back home, sharing a delicious lunch and chilling out in Lima :)
December 17, 2008
at the entrance
We have been in touch while he was in Cusco and when he arrived to Lima he gave me a call. Unfortunately his flight was delayed and by the time he was able to meet me, I wasn't. No problem, we arranged to meet next morning. After working and leaving everything ready I went to his hostel and then we drove to Miraflores. It was still 11:30am, too early to have lunch, so we went for a cup of coffee while we were talking about our recent trips to Cusco.
with our waiter ;)
It was time for lunch. Where should we go? Well, we were in Lima, so cebiche is a MUST! I was missing my cebiche so much, that Alfonso shouldn't say this word twice, haha. But where to go? Our most famous chef here is Gaston Acurio and he has also a Cebicheria, uhmmmm. During his first stay in Lima, Alfonso went to different restaurants but this one "La Mar" was still missing. So the choice was obvious: "La Mar"!
We arrived to the restaurant around 1pm. Mmm, there was no place to park, oh oh! I gave the car to the valet parking and we went inside the restaurant. As I expected the place was packed. So we sat at the bar while we were waiting. Of course we were in Lima, so the logic choice to drink was a Pisco Sour, very refreshing! We toasted for our new friendship, Salud! A waiter came with complimentary "mote" which is bigger than the usual corn.
the first Pisco Sour - cheers!
We were just having our pisco and I saw the Colombian family who were driving with Eric and me in our way back from Aguas Calientes to Cusco, haha. The hostess asked us if we'd like to have lunch at the bar since there were 2 empty seats now, mmm. No, thanks! We preferred to wait for a table. If we were having our cebiches in one of the most famous cebicherias in Lima, let's make it in the proper way, :P
Finally almost at 2 there was a table for us, yay! The waiter brought some spicy sauces and a basket with potato, sweet potato and banana chips. Although you are inside the restaurant it is semi out-doors, which is perfect for the warm days.
For Peru!
Alfonso got the classic cebiche and I got my tiradito. They both were so fresh and yummy. And the presentation was really nice! While we were having our meal, he was telling me about a guy he met at the hostel. Later we saw one of the waiter coming with 3 people to the table next to ours. It was funny because one of these 3 people was the Indian guy he was talking me about, haha. So, we asked the waiter if we could join the tables and so we did.
The other 2 people were 2 girls from NYC. All of them met at the hostel and were in their way back home. We were getting full, but still wanted to try something else, so we ordered a main dish to share.
happy gang!
We all were enjoying a delicious meal in Lima, chilling out and having fun. Their holidays were getting over, but they all had a great time in Peru and would remember my country for a long long time :)
Around 4:30pm, Alfonso and I left. His flight back to Santiago was still at 10:30pm, so he should be at the airport at 7:30pm. We had plenty of time. We took a drive around Miraflores and parked in one of the parks to enjoy the view of the sea. I wish I'd have driven Alfonso to the airport, but the traffic was crazy because of the holidays and it would have taken me for ever driving back home. It was so nice meeting him and I hope I'll meet him soon again in Santiago :)
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Greatest Chef's Cebicheria in Lima - La Mar
One of our best chefs is Gaston Acurio and this is his cebicheria. When he announced he would open a restaurant for fish and seafood, everyone got ready for something big and definitely it is. Since the first day, everyone in Lima seems to be lining up to get in -- no reservations are accepted, so get there early or sneak in late in the afternoon.
There are many cebicherias in Lima and I can say than this one is an upscale one. Fashionable, stylishly designed, and a bit more expensive than others, it represents the best of traditional Limeño cooking, but with an edge. The airy, plant-filled space has a chic, modern touch, with an angular, poured concrete facade, bamboo roof, turquoise chairs and cement floors. The ambiance is rustic and cozy. A sure hit.
First of all I need to say that this place is only open for lunch. Nevertheless, it features a cool cocktail bar with great pisco-based drinks, like the "Cholopolitan," which you can taste while you are waiting for your table. Also they serve canchita (fried corn) and fried potato, banana and camote chips with dips.
The menu includes all Peruvian seafood classics, plus some sushi and haute-cuisine creations. The fish -choose from a couple dozen types of cebiche, as well as rice-based seafood dishes and whole fish- is always fresh and carefully prepared. We ordered the traditional cebiche and the classic tiradito. Both of them were really tasty and fresh. If you can't decide for a cebiche, ask for the sampler. Great idea!!!
Also we asked for a Jalea to share. So good!!! The dishes meet every requirement for success: delicious, abundant, and not so expensive - taking in count the quality of the place and food.
The service is very good. The staff is really helpful and kind. If you don't know what to order, feel free to ask them and be sure they will give you the best suggestions possible, although the whole menu is delicious.
I love the concept of this place with its relaxed atmosphere, delicious and varied menu. Definitely a Must if you are in Lima, but you don't have to wait for Lima if you are in San Francisco USA you could visit their location on Pier 1½
There are many cebicherias in Lima and I can say than this one is an upscale one. Fashionable, stylishly designed, and a bit more expensive than others, it represents the best of traditional Limeño cooking, but with an edge. The airy, plant-filled space has a chic, modern touch, with an angular, poured concrete facade, bamboo roof, turquoise chairs and cement floors. The ambiance is rustic and cozy. A sure hit.
First of all I need to say that this place is only open for lunch. Nevertheless, it features a cool cocktail bar with great pisco-based drinks, like the "Cholopolitan," which you can taste while you are waiting for your table. Also they serve canchita (fried corn) and fried potato, banana and camote chips with dips.
The menu includes all Peruvian seafood classics, plus some sushi and haute-cuisine creations. The fish -choose from a couple dozen types of cebiche, as well as rice-based seafood dishes and whole fish- is always fresh and carefully prepared. We ordered the traditional cebiche and the classic tiradito. Both of them were really tasty and fresh. If you can't decide for a cebiche, ask for the sampler. Great idea!!!
Also we asked for a Jalea to share. So good!!! The dishes meet every requirement for success: delicious, abundant, and not so expensive - taking in count the quality of the place and food.
The service is very good. The staff is really helpful and kind. If you don't know what to order, feel free to ask them and be sure they will give you the best suggestions possible, although the whole menu is delicious.
I love the concept of this place with its relaxed atmosphere, delicious and varied menu. Definitely a Must if you are in Lima, but you don't have to wait for Lima if you are in San Francisco USA you could visit their location on Pier 1½
outside
the dining room
the bar
drinks and complimentary snacks
cebiche's sampler
causas' sampler
not a sashimi, not a carpaccio, …
grilled tuna & octopus
