It was the first stop on Peruvian soil. We had just disembarked from the plane and went through immigration procedures at Jorge Chávez International Airport, in the metropolitan region of Lima, and were already preparing to eat. Is well. We got into the van, headed to the famous Miraflores district and passed through the doors of La Mar Cebichería, a restaurant specializing in Peruvian-style seafood, but which also has branches in Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Miami, San Francisco, Santiago and São Paulo. .
Eating at legitimate La Mar has its advantages, of course. The fish is always fresh, to the point that the menu changes depending on what was caught that day, is one of them. La Mar is only open at lunchtime, between 12pm and 5pm, and is always full. To secure your place without having to queue, arrive early.
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The not-so-scary prices are also an advantage of the main company, which has dishes priced at around R$60. It’s not cheap or a meal that would normally fit into the economic traveler’s budget, I know very well, but it’s not priceless either. . Fit it into your budget and you won’t regret it – few places are better suited to getting started with Peruvian cuisine.
La Mar is owned by chef Gastón Acurio, who runs around four dozen establishments that are also famous around the world, such as Astrid & Gastón, created in partnership with his wife, Astrid Gutsche, and which has already been named one of the best restaurants in the world. world. Son of a traditional Peruvian family, Gastón spent time in Europe, where he met his wife and studied cooking.
See too: The delights of Peruvian cuisine
Back in Peru, he indulged in local ingredients, encouraged the development of Novoandian cuisine, and became an ambassador for Peruvian flavors. It worked, to the point where Peru is considered one of the most interesting gastronomic destinations in the world. Merits of Peruvian food, which is incredible in itself, but everyone knows that Gastón played a role in that.
But let’s talk about La Mar again. The concrete facade hides a restaurant with an informal atmosphere, starting with the bamboo on the ceiling, the decor – some dishes come in little boats – and the beach-like atmosphere. Start the afternoon with a pisco sour, the traditional Peruvian drink, and then take the menu and choose which ceviche suits you best.
I, who don’t even like ceviche that much, tried a little of everything. The classic was my favorite, but there are even dishes made with seafood. La Mar offers a ceviche tasting which, in addition to the traditional one, includes a version with tuna and tiger milk and others with seafood.
My favorite was the octopus. And I had low expectations, since I’m not a big fan. The texture and flavor of the grilled octopus, however, easily won me over. I ate a huge piece and asked for it again. Of the eight days I spent in Peru, La Mar’s octopus deservedly won the title of best dish.
After the feast came Diablo, this huge fish in the photo below. And he feeds an entire class alone – our group, which was already full, couldn’t do the job. But, after the octopus, the Diablo was my favorite dish of the day. It is a good option for families and groups of friends.
Memorizing La Mar’s address is easy. The restaurant is located at Avenida La Mar, 770, in Miraflores. Arrive early to avoid queues or try to make a reservation. Expect to spend between R$70 and R$100 for the full menu, with drinks.
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*360meridianos traveled to Peru at the invitation of Submarino Viagens and PromPerú
