LIMA DAY 5: Random Restaurants

Monday, May 11

I'm sure that there are bad restaurants here. Somewhere. Today's Meals were at places that basically, we wandered into because well, they were a restaurant. Both were good. Not as great as the great ones, but I wouldn't object to visiting either of them again.

Nothing other than a cup of Coffee in the morning. For Lunch, I walked to Al Toke Pez, but they were closed on Mondays. I randomly stopped in a place on the same block called Las Ollitas de Gladis. Many restaurants here are Cebicherias; this place is whatever you would call a restaurant that is not a Cebicheria. They serve 'Comida Criolla,' which, as far as I can figure out, is everything Peruvian that isn't Seafood. They had a sign advertising their Sancochado, and that was good enough for me. It's Soup!

I started with a Palta Rellena.

This is a half of an Avocado, stuffed with a mix of either Tuna or Chicken (I'm not sure) and some Vegetables. I like Avocado, and I like the stuffing, but I bet someone, somewhere, stuffs it with Crab Salad. That would really rock.

Then, the Sanconchado.

It varies from place to place, but basically, you get a hunk of meat, Corn, Potato, Yucca and sometimes other stuff on a plate. It comes with a Bowl of (I suppose) Sanconchado Broth. You cut up the stuff, toss it in the Bowl, and eat it.

I asked Fernando what cut of meat comes with a Sanconchado. Other than it being Beef, he's not sure. He told me that you just ask the Butcher for 'Sancochado' if you're going to make it at home. I like that about here -- a few of the times I cooked, or had someone cook for me, I just told the people in the Mercado what I was up to, and they sold me what I needed, whether it was Spices, Side Dishes, or main ingredients.

But I digress.

I met Fernando for Dinner. He was working late, and didn't want to fight the traffic to meet me in Miraflores (don't blame him), so I went out to San Miguel. I had the best taxi ride ever -- the cab driver was a huge Ramones fan.

He has a Punk band. We exchanged data, and I will catch one of their shows when I can.

But I digress.

There was a restaurant near Fernando's office that he wanted to try named Cipriana. He knew nothing about it, other than it had been open a while and was still in business. Good enough for me.

We started off by sharing an order of Conchas a la Parmesan. As Fernando says, The only way that Scallops should be eaten is with a little Butter and some Cheese melted on top."

These were good, but a little overly Cheesey for my taste. It didn't stop me from eating my three, though.

It turns out that Cipriana fancies themselves as grilling specialists. We took them up on that, and I ordered Brochettes of Lomo (tender, Filet-like Beef) and Fernando had the Tacu Tacu a lo Pobre.

My Steak was perfect, as was Fernando's. He wasn't as thrilled with the Tacu Tacu part of his dish, so -- if we ever return -- we will just order Steaks.

After Dinner, Fernando dropped me off at LarcoMar, and I had some Gelato for Dessert.

After that, I walked home and went to bed.

Speaking of walking, here's my steps: