Lima Day 5: Just Two Meals... Two Great Ones

After my Pardo's Chicken adventure Monday (what was I thinking???), I decided to keep it simple on Tuesday. There's nothing simpler than trusting my friends.

Especially David. I try to have a meal with him every visit. He takes extra pride in taking me to places that I have not been to, nor would I find on my own. He does a great job of it, and today's place, La Paisana in Magdelena, is a perfect example.

If you were walking past this place, on a random residential street, you would think it was one of 943752390074589763027 other hole-in-the-wall places where Lunch would set you back a hot $3. and the food would be average. You'd be wrong on both counts.

The food at La Paisana is not cheap. But the plates are enormous, with each dish big enough for two of me & David, or four normal people.

I got there before Davis, so I ordered a Tamale to tide me over.

It was the only normal-sized thing that they sell. He showed up just as it arrived and watched me eat it.

La Paisana specializes in food from Piura, a city in Northern Peru. I let David do the ordering. We sharedd Majado de Yuca and Majarisco. The waiter insisted that we order the small size. Holy cow.

The first dish is some sort of Beef with a side of Mashed Yucca with Corn and more Meat mixed in. The Meat wa sgood, whatever it was, and The Yucca was prepared in such a way that it didn't taste like Yucca -- it actually had some flavor. David really liked this dish.

I liked the other dish better. It was basically Rice and Seafood, but they substituted the Rich for delicious mashed Bananas. The Seafood was fresh and plentiful, and the mashed Bananmas were much better than they had a right to be. I ate just about half of the Seafood dish, and a quarter of the Meat plate. David said, "I am a Man of Honor," and finished all the rest.

I could barely see, think, or move. David announced that there was place just two short blocks away that made its on Gelato... Speciale Cafe. Off we went.

I ordered dos bollas (two scoops) of Coconut Gelato. You're allowed two flavors, but that would have required way too much thinking.

David does a great job at picking new places, even if it will eventually kill me. Even though I thought that I would never eat again, I managed to get myself together in time to meet my friend Leon at Central Restaurant for another glorious Dinner.

It was good to see Leon and catch up; our schedules don't always coordinate. Leon was one of my early 'dining guides' in Lima... he's taken me everywhere from High-End Chinese restaurants to Alf Sangucheria, which first opens at midnight. He's gotten around.

We started with the Potato Chip and Bread services.

For my Appetizer, I had the Caneloni de Cordero (Lamb).

It was served -- for some reason that I am sure makes sense to them -- with a chunk of Creme Brulee. I didn't understand the combination, but it was delicious.

Leon had the Pulpo (Octopus) with Lentils.

In a shocking development, he said that it was delicious. I tasted the Lentils. They were good, I guess. I never had Lentils before.

For my main dish, I ordered what Ed had a couple of weeks ago, the Short Ribs.

According to the menu, thay cook these for 24 hours. They were so tender, I believe it. Fabulous.

Everything at Central has flowers and rocks. They are damn good Flowers and rocks.

Leon had Fish. I don't remember which one, sorry. He ate every bite.

For Dessert, I suggested that we go to the supermarket and buy some Yogurt, but Leon would have none of that. We both ordered the Wonderful Chocolate (or whatever it is called).

More delicious gravel, by the way.

With our coffees, they brought the finger dessert assortment. I ate my half of anything resembling Chocolate; Leon had his full half and my leftovers.

That's it for the food on Tuesday... two glorious meals.

On a tourist note, I saw a real cool church on the way to meet David for Lunch. It was huge.