Although not really intending to have more Peruvian, Noelia and I ended up at another Peruvian restaurant the same week we ate at Lima. On entering, this restaurant definitely felt like the type of place that Peruvian families would go on a regular basis. And probably drink a lot of Pisco Sours. Or something like that. Once again we thought it was a good excuse after the gym since it has egg white in it. Protein’s good for you right?

Hungry after the gym, we started first with the fish ceviche. The fish was a bit chunkier, the serve much more generous and presentation very rustic. More importantly the flavour was still very good. I particularly liked the additional of giant toasted corn kernals as it gave a very different textured crunchy to the zesty, slightly spiced fish.

We also tried a very interesting “fruto del mar”, a mix of seafood with mayonnaise and whole heap of other things. I liked this one less because it came across as a bit confused to me. Don’t forget I’m not exactly an expert on Peruvian food.

Noelia ordered the steak that was a huge portion that she didn’t finish. The steak, sliced into small strips and tossed with lots of other stuff was also served with rice and home made fries. I like peruvians, like the Chinese seem to enjoy their starch.

I ordered the “Carapulcra”, an interesting stew with both a pork rib and chicken. I would definitely order this again even though the pork rib was slightly tough and slightly fatty (some would say this is a good thing). I like the background hint of chilli and the slight smokiness that came out of the sauce.

Tierra Peru is a nice alternative that is much easier on the pocket and just as good for something different.

Name: Tierra Peru
Found at: 164 Essex Road Islington, London N1 8LY
Website: www.tierraperu.co.uk

Earlier this year, I read a blog about Peruvian food being the next “thing” and Lima was one of the first London restaurants to hit my reading radar. After talking it through with a friend fiercely passionate about Peruvian food (I’ve never been so can’t really say) we thought we’d check it out.

I think we were really lucky getting in before they really opened and lots of other foodies would hit. We started with a Pisco Sour, a very classic drink that is a little bit too easy to drink. I think we finished with a Pisco Sour if that gives you an idea of how easy they are to drink as well. The interior to Lima is bright, airy and very well modern. According to Noelia, my passionate Peruvian-loving friend, Lima takes on what one might imagine Peruvian food imported into a discerning and competitive Fitzrovian-based restaurant might be like.

We started with two ceviches. A classic white fish ceviche with the white tiger’s milk and decorated with crispy red onions bits. Absolutely delicious. The fish was still delicate, the sauce crisp with lime and a good bite from the background of the chilli.

We then tried a scallop tiradito but this time covered in a bright yellow chilli emulsion. Tasty, clean and zesty but the ceviche really worked better for me.

After reading about the dishes people ordered, I had to order the suckling pig confit served with puy lentils. The crispy skin was absolutely devine, the flesh fall about fantastic and succulently moist – a really good combination balanced by the rest of the dish.

My dining partner went for the halibut, that was beautifully presented, well cooked but didn’t seem to have as much flavour as the pork. I thought the corn parfait was a really interesting spin on the entire dish as well.

Name: Lima London
Found at: 31 Rathbone Place London W1T 1JH
Website:http://www.limalondon.com/