24-09-2018
Virgilio Martinez (right) with Roberto Ortiz, resident chef at Lima London, the only Peruvian restaurant with a Michelin star. The Peruvian chef will participate in the ninth edition of Identità in New York, 1st-3rd October
Peruvian cuisine has been experiencing a golden age for a few years now. It’s an essential source of inspiration, especially for other Latin-American traditions currently approaching their culinary identity with the same spirit.
Peru’s success lies on a large range of raw materials, on its ancient gastronomic techniques, and capacity to absorb, over time, the traditions of other cultures: Inca, Spanish, Asian. This cuisine perfectly depicts the spirit of the times, having all the features that attract current clients: it’s colourful, flavoursome, light, and uses new and intriguing ingredients.
In the wake of these features, Peruvian restaurants have appeared all around the world, and London is no exception. Lima London is a Peruvian restaurant created by Virgilio Martínez, the chef famous first of all for Central in Lima, a restaurant that changed location only a few weeks ago, and is at number 6 in the World’s 50Best.
Salmon tiradito with leche de tigre and coconut milk
Turbot Ceviche, aji limo, sweet potato
Lima has a casual and fun format, colourful both in terms of décor and food presentation. The menu perfectly fits this philosophy, starting from the various types of ceviche: Turbot ceviche with sweet potato, avocado and ají limo; Prawn ceviche with avocado and plantain chips, Nikkei tuna ceviche with ají rocoto and radish; then there’s Salmon tiradito with leche de tigre and coconut milk, or Pachamanca with marinated beef in ají limo with yellow potato. Finally, the desserts: Cirimoia parfait with Amazon chocolate and chips of blue potato, or Avocado mousse with chocolate and ají rocoto.
The restaurant in Fitzrovia. In London, there’s also Floral, Lima London’slittle brother
One has to admit, Lima is worth the visit, and has a gastronomic offer in line with the current demand in Europe. High quality cuisine, fresh and fun.
Translated into English by Slawka G. Scarso Lima Fitzrovia 31 Rathbone Place Fitzrovia London, UK +44 20 3002 2640 Tasting menu: 65 pounds (100 with wine pairings) Closed: on Saturday at lunchtime and on Sunday at lunchtime
Reviews, recommendations and trends from the four corners of the planet, signed by all the authors of Identità Golose
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Chef, journalist, a Phd in Italian linguistics, author of books on the theme, experiences that converge in the same profession, from writing to cooking, from cooking to journalism and back to cooking. The same that led him to write for Mexican magazines such as Protocolo, Saborearte and Siempre