LIMA DAY 4: Panchita, Again. And Coffee Shops are Nuts

Octopus On A Stick. Next to Ice Cream, the best thing you can put on a stick.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Coffee Shops here are Insane. Another of the few places that both serves Decaf AND has large cups for Coffee decided that they don't need to open until 10 am. So the search was on.

A couple of blocks away, I found a place called Sabor Y Aroma (Flavor and Smell) hidden on a side street. From the outside, it looked like any other hole in the wall, but it was a couple of steps up from what was probably previously there.

I ordered a Breakfast Special: Omelet, Toast, Fresh Juice (blended on the spot) and Coffee.

 

 

The food was well worth the price, The Cantaloupe Juice was wonderful, and the Coffee was full-strength. I was zooming for a couple of hours after.

That kept me going until Dinner time, where I had another reservation at Panchita.

Carlos was again waiting for me, and I don't see how I eat in any restaurant without him serving me. I ordered all of my favorites. First up, Anticuchos de Pulpo (Octopus on a Stick).

 

In some places, Octopus can be a bit rubbery, but not here. Whatever they use for a Marinade not only adds flavor, but does something to tenderize. It's just really, really good.

While I was moaning over the Octopus, the Pastel de Choclo showed up.

It's kind of hard to describe this and make the point that it is tasty, but this is a dish of Ground Corn (and Spices and probably Sugar, and some Love thrown in) on top of a bed of Ground Beef (and Spices, and a few Raisins, and some more Love) that's baked and then they just give it to you, and you only have to give them money. They make it in other places, too, but it is better here. Just ask anyone. Except Bertha's mother. I only had a quarter of it, and saved the rest for another day.

For my Main Course, I had the Arroz con Pato (Rice with Duck).

 

There's two Duck quarters on this plate and extra-delicious Rice (with the crunchy Burnt Rice on the bottom). I marveled over the smell for a few minutes before I dug in, and ate one of the Duck quarters and some of the Rice before giving up.

I passed on Dessert, and Carlos talked me into a Decaf Latte before I left.

He wrapped up all of the leftover food, and -- unlike some people I know -- actually remembered to take it with me.

That's it for the day. I guess I am Officially Old - after Dinner, I went home and went to sleep.