Pisco sour, anyone? Our Restaurant Eats Out event earlier this month, sponsored by UCC, saw a group of restaurateurs sample one of the world's most flavoursome and vibrant cuisines. Here's where we went:
Pachamama
Named after a goddess revered by the indigenous people of Andes, Pachamama launched in 2014 and serves a Peruvian-inspired menu of small plates crafted using seasonal ingredients and rustic techniques. The menu includes the likes of pork belly chicharronnes; brown crab and yuca churros; and salmon tiradito, green apple, coconut and pink peppercorn. The drinks list is focused on pisco but the relaxed Marylebone restaurant also stocks a wide range of mezcal.
Lima London
Located on Rathbone Place, Lima London is owned by Gabriel and Jose Luis Gonzalez and superstar Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz. In 2014, it became the first Peruvian restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin star. This landmark London restaurant recently ditched its à la carte menu in favour of a more relaxed sharing concept. Dishes on the menu include sea bream ceviche with avocado, sweet potato and aji limo; and duck escabeche with algarrobina, rocoto pepper and orange bitters.
Ceviche
The debut restaurant from former DJ Martin Morales, Ceviche proved there was more to Peruvian cuisine than roasted guinea pig. The Soho restaurant made the country’s world class food accessible to a mainstream audience with its low pricing and casual service but refused to dumb down. While ceviche is a focus, there is plenty more on offer with the menu including the likes of sticky duck wings with spicy chancaca, soy and popped amaranth; and Ibérico pork with smoked chilli and jora corn.