LIMA DAY 13: Christmas Eve. The Biggest Tamale Ever

December 24, 2016

What we would call Christmas Eve is the big day in Peru. There's lots of last-minute hubbub, but people celebrate on the night of the 24th, so restaurants are closed. Casinos are closed; the whole place is kind of stood on its end. So I made do.

I started with a Causa stuffed with what we would call Crab and Shrimp Salad and a Leche de Tigre at the Mercado in Surquillo. Then I had a Latte next door to the Apartment, and a little later, a Chicharron Sandwich (picked up earlier) and some Cabanossi (basically, a really great Peruvian Slim Jim).

Later, I headed out to Magdalena to take in some local color. I ran into Diego, and we split a Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding). I saw the Largest Tamale Ever -- the Tamale Ladies use it to give out samples of their wares. I picked up two for later (normal sized). You can see a normal-sized Tamale in the upper corner of the photo.

Since it was Christmas Eve, I had some Traditional Chinese Food (House Special Egg Drop Soup and Duck with Garlic and Mushrooms) and later on, the two Tamales from Magdalena.

Nothing today was fancy, but all of it was excellent.

Sunday, December 25

Off to the airport early in the morning. My regular airport restaurant is under construction, so I wound up somewhere else and ordered some Salchipapas for my farewell meal. Salchipappas are another Peruvian specialty that's mostly (I think) for kids. They are French Fries with sliced up Hot Dogs on top. Well, everyone is a kid on Christmas, so that's what I had.

That's it for this trip. Back home now, an attempting to make some space for the upcoming March trip.

LIMA DAY 12: Steak, Sandwiches. And Queso Helado

December 23, 2016

That's Bertha and me modeling our Sandwiches, Ed-style.

A Latte as usual, then off to Bertha's to drop some stuff off. I had a glass of freshly made (by Wendy) Juice -- don't remember what kind -- and then we wen tor Sandwiches. I had a Cicharron (Pork) sandwich and one made of Pejerrey, which is some kind of Fish. After, we passed a place with a Queso Helado (the best Ice Cream -- it's from Arequipa) sign, so we stopped there.

For Dinner, Xiomi and I went to Carnal Prime, where we shared Salmon Tartar, and we each had a Filet. We ordered the Vegetarian Dinner as our side dish. Excellent choice. We bit passed on Dessert. The only thing wrong with the restaurant: Too dark for good photos.

LIMA DAYS 10 & 11: All the Peruvian Classics. And Sushi

December 21, 2016

Scallops Parmesan, A Causa stuffed with Crab meat and topped with a Fish, and a Leche de Tigre, Bloody Mary style. It was filled with Shrimp and Scallops. For Dinner, I had Sushi Rolls at a random spot in San Isidro.

And then, there I was, minding my own business in the casino, and they call my name and give me 1,000 Soles.

December 22, 2106

Breakfast at the joint next door, Caldo de Gallina (Chicken Noodle Soup on Steroids) at a random place while out shopping, a Shwarma at a Shwarma Shop, and Anticuchos (Grilled Beef Hearts on a Stick) With Luis at Anticucho Bran in Surquillo. I also had a Ham and Cheese Sandwich at a casino, but no photos, they said.

 

LIMA DAY 9: The Seafood Lady & Dinner with A Celebrity Chef

December 20, 2016

Calamari, anyone? For Breakfast/Lunch, I went to the Surquillo Mercado #2 and visited Rosa, The Seafood Lady. We've been friends for years now. I had a Chilcano (Fish Stock Soup), a Fish Ceviche, and Fried Assorted Seafood (Shrimps, Calamari, Scallops, Fish and Octopus). The Calamari was very photogenic. It was hot, so I had a Chocolate Marciano (Ice Pop) and a Grape Cremolada (kind of like a Slurpee, only better) on the walk home.

Deisi, Lucero and Bertha joined me for Dinner at Bravo Restobar, run by Celebrity Chef Christian Bravo. He spent a lot of time in the kitchen (presumably) cooking, but also circulated a few times to greet people and take photos. We started with a small cup of Minestrone Soup, then shared 'hot' ceviche (warmed over hot stones at our table), Crunch Fried Shrimp, and Aji de Gallina-flavored Rolls. For our Main Courses, Lucero had a Filet with Pasta, Bertha had the Swordfish, and Deisi and I both had a Lomo Saltado. Just Bertha (Chocolate Melting Cake) and Deisi (Tres Leches) had Dessert. I had a Cappuccino.