Barchick Says

This Peruvian restaurant is about as fresh as it gets: the food, the décor and the drinks. With white washed wood planks, mirrored walls and a large sky light which lets in more light than the Louvre. Colour is splashed around in the form of pretty water glasses and Aztec pillows and prints on the walls, but when the food is served this is when things really start to get vibrant.

If it’s sunny, sit street-side, but if not then head downstairs to the bar, it’s where half of the magic happens (the rest goes on in the kitchen). You can also eat down here. Pisco is Peru’s national spirit, and if it’s previously unknown to you, it will quickly become your drink of choice after sampling these awe-inspiring concoctions. Try their classic cocktails, all pisco based, or be more adventurous – their house cocktails are the dream. Drink the Chilcano made with pisco, lemon, simple syrup, bitters and ginger ale – refreshing and amazing. Follow it with a Cuento del Diablo (the devil’s story) made with Aji chili-infused pisco, Cointreau, lemon, strawberry and a glass finished with devil horns – it’s as tasty as it is demonic. Oh and if you’re wondering what happens to all the left over egg yolkes (they use the whites in the Pisco Sours), then ask the staff about how much egg fried rice they get served!

Eat, you will forever regret it if you don’t (and you have to if you want to sit outside). Safely ensconced in the hands of top Peruvian chef, Virgilio Martinez, his menu will more than delight. We had the sea bass ceviche with red onion, Amazon cancha corn and tiger’s milk and partnered it with the beautiful half perfectly pink artichoke. To follow we chose the halibut with Peruvian delights and the lamb shoulder with Pisco cinnamon. If you are looking to paint your palate with colour, this is like a Hockney for the mouth.