72 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM Peruvian places you can’t pass up. the beat on your eats supple red snapper, a medley of seafood or an Asian-fusion take with ahi tuna in a sweet soy sauce marinade? The pisco sour trio promises further exploration. This Peruvian national spirit, combined with lime, lemon and Angostura bitters, is made creamy with egg whites. Still hungry? You’ll want to try the tender, tangy chicken skewers as well as the sweet and spicy swordfish stew (pescado a lo macho). We suggest dining on the second floor for views overlooking the Pillar Point Harbor docks and a true fishing-boat-to-table experience. 260 Capistrano Road. Closed Mondays. la ronda SAN MATEO You can rely on this classic white tablecloth establishment for all the traditional staples. Well-known for its standout seafood stews, La Ronda’s picante de camarones with sautéed shrimp and its picante de mariscos (prawns, calamari, clams, mussels, bay limón MOUNTAIN VIEW / REDWOOD CITY / BURLINGAME If you’re familiar with only two Peruvian dishes, they’re probably lomo saltado and ceviche. Limón masters both of these mainstays with panache. Diners find its lomo saltado—tender strips of char-grilled beef served with sautéed veggies and fries—hearty and comforting in equal measure. Meanwhile, the ceviche mixto—fresh Pacific red snapper, calamari and shrimp cooked by way of its acidic, lime-based leche de tigre marinade— packs a bright, refreshing zip from all that splendid citrus. The perfect accompaniment? Chunky yucca fries with an aji amarillo dipping sauce. To savor your meal surrounded by a playful profusion of plants, visit Limón’s Mountain View or Redwood City locations for their jungle-chic flair. 800 California Street / 885 Middlefield Road / 1101 Burlingame Avenue. Open daily. la costanera HALF MOON BAY Let the scenes from a Peruvian coastal town painted on the restaurant’s columns be your clue that this place will broaden your horizons. Consider launching your meal with a ceviche sampler, exploring the nuances of this dish with three variations. Will you favor the simple, {food coloring} shrimp and fish) come served in a flavorful chili cream sauce that’s sure to satisfy. If your ideal dinner comes from the pasture rather than the Pacific, try the bistec a lo pobre, which serves up broiled steak with sautéed onions, tomatoes and plantains, topped with an egg. End the meal on a sweet note with helado lucuma, ice cream flavored with a fruit from the Andes known for its maple-like taste. 224 East Hillsdale Boulevard. Open daily. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: LIMÓN / LA COSTANERA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==