Las Brujas de Cachiche

Description:

• The "Witches of Cachiche" celebrates 2,000 years of local culture with a menu that's a tour of the "magical" cuisines of pre-Columbian Peru. The chef even uses ancient recipes and ingredients. The extensive menu includes classic Peruvian dishes, such as ají de gallina, but concentrates on fresh fish and shellfish and fine cuts of meat with interesting twists and unusual accompaniments. Brujas de Cachiche sole is prepared with Asian and criollo spices, and served with peas and bell peppers sautéed in soybean sauce. A steak in pisco-butter sauce comes with braised mushrooms. Among the excellent desserts, several continue the indigenous theme, such as mazamorra morada (purple corn pudding and dried fruit). The restaurant, in a sprawling old house with several warmly decorated dining rooms, is popular both night and day with well-heeled Limeños, expat businessmen and foreign government officials, and tourists; it's exclusive and it's expensive, but it's worth the splurge. A lunch buffet is served Tuesday through Friday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm, and gastronomic festivals are frequent.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010