There is something relaxing about driving down the Panamericana Sur highway, a road divided by the mighty Pacific Ocean and the expansive sunbathed deserts of Peru's coast.  The southern coast is a drive that takes you towards some of Peru's most popular beaches where thousands upon thousands of Lima's city dwellers migrate to during the summer months. 

Does there exist a food worth driving an hour and a half for?  The answer is a definite HELL YEAH!  Head south towards the province of Cañete and you will see a medium sized chicken farm on your right hand side at about Km 52.  Here you will see a small straw covered kiosk accompanied by this small businesses prized gems, a trio of earth and clay made ovens.  The Tambo Rural as this unexpected roadside gastronomic landmark is called caters to many hungry travelers and road warriors making their journey's south.   What keeps people coming back is the Tambo Rural's famous and addictive artisan breads.  An intended light snack which ultimately ends up as a meal, these finger long breads (which have an appearance and flavor similar to Mediterranean bread, think Lebanese style flat bread) are filled with either Botija black olives (similar in taste to Greek Kalamata olives) or queso fresco, and are baked until golden.  Both bread fillings are guaranteed to satisfy the appetite of any individual.  






The robust aroma of baking bread that escapes from those dome shaped ovens has forever been impregnated in my mind and just to write about it causes me to drool uncontrollably over my keyboard.  Any road trip down south whether with friends or family now requires a pit stop to the Tambo Rural, a place which has made die hard fans of the skeptical.  The bread is always best eaten as soon as they are pulled from the oven with a little bit of the spicy rocoto sauce for that added kick.  I ate there last weekend and like always it didn't disappoint.  Below are the directions to this must visit ma and pa food site.  A definite 5 out of 5

Tambo Rural
Avicola Don Bruno SRL
Autopista Panamericana Sur
Km. 52 - Santa Maria del Mar

I have been surfing the net lately checking up on some of my favorites blog sites that like Inti Aperture, also examine the daily rituals and cultural quirks of life in Peru.  I managed to pick out some of my favorite posts and decided to share them with you.

First up is a surprise post from blogger Barbara Drake who has been on an unofficial sabbatical from the blogosphere over the past few months.  She recently posted about an interesting Italian Trattoria which according to her article is perhaps one of the most authentic in Lima.  To make this discovery even better the prices appear to be fairly comfortable for this little tucked away restaurant in Surquillo.  Here is an excerpt from her blog:

"Nearly every large city in South America has at least one or two very good, if not excellent, Italian restaurants.   What every city does not have is an authentic Italian trattoria — a mid-priced, family-run restaurant that serves delicious, regional  dishes  in a casual, home-like setting.
Lima’s Trattoria Napoli does just that, serving up first-rate southern Italian fare in a sliver of a building tucked in no-frills Surquillo.  The trattoria is truly a family business:  The owner’s from Calabria (the toe of the boot), his wife keeps the tiramisu in the fridge next-door, and the ponytailed son-in-law can often be found munching on gnocchi with the grandkids at a nearby table.  The homey ambience embraces diners, too: Eat here and you feel like part of the family — welcomed and satisfied."

Next up are a few recently uploaded videos from the website La Habitacion de Henry Spencer, which has posted footage from this year's Mistura event.  For those of you who might not be familiar, Mistura is a gastronomic festival that celebrates and highlights the best in Peruvian cuisine while offering it's patrons to sample some of the best dishes prepared by famous chefs, street venders, and so forth.  Mistura may only have a few years running now but it has already managed to gain international acclaim and recognition.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this year but I did hear good things about it from friends who did go.  Anyways, the videos on this site are in SPANISH (sorry!) but they are still well worth a watch for anyone interested in seeing footage of this popular event.  Below is a sample video!

The Gringo of Chiclayo as he calls himself has been battling with his stomach's homesickness for good ole' fashion American food (I don't blame him, what I wouldn't give for a nice ribeye steak or a BBQ pulled pork sandwich w/ coleslaw).  What exactly did he do about it?  He decided enough was enough and he made CHILI!  Check out his page to see more details about how he went about recreating this southwestern American favorite. 

 
Located on the Av. San Martín 1062, just one block down from Av. Sucre and across from Av. Vivanco in the beautiful and tranquil residencial district of Pueblo Libre.  This is the bar I managed to stumble on during one of my many photowalks through the city.  Tucked away in the vast urban jungle that is Lima, I practically stumbled upon this famous watering hole around mid day one Saturday weekend (looking back it was the same day that my intraocular lenses decided to come loose, but that's another story entirely).  The sky was grey and overcast and I had just trekked all the way from Av. Canada near the Via Expresa, which for those who don't know is a fairly long walk, especially since I passed through two districts to get there (about a hour and a half walk).  The mere sight of this ancient corner tavern literally packed and overflowing with inebriated patrons.



As I drew closer the roar of laughter and loud conversations echoed through the opened windows and doorways with an alure all to powerful for the regular drinker and bar hopper to pass up.  Walking into the bar through the old saloon doors my seemed to gravitate towards the bar and before I could really realize what was going one I had some how managed to ask the bartender for a house drink, only to find my hand clentching this ice cold refreshing drink.  One taste was all it took for me to render my verdict, I was hooked the Chilcano de Pisco that I tried was beyond delicious and had somewhat classy presentation that could be given a place alongside other sophisticated drinks like gin and tonic.  The drink was served in a high ball glass with the tavern's logo etched in gold on the side.  I would think it was safe to say that the bartender gave a more than generous help of Pisco in my drinks as I began to quickly feel it's effects, and boy did I like it....total relaxation!  As I let the sweet alcohol work it's magic through the inner confines of my body I grabbed the closed available seat I could find and began to absorb my new surroundings.  The tavern's environment is so inviting that you feel like you've been there many times before, something similar to the feeling you get when you share a few drinks with you best friends in your hometown bar.  You feel welcome in it's environment to the point where time just seems to fly, what makes this amazing is that I wasn't even with anyone, I was alone, imagine what one would feel if they had gone with friends and/or family.




El Queirolo is one of Lima's most famous and older bars and has maintain a large following over the years.  Here you will find both men and women of varying ages from both young and old alike all present to enjoy the warmth and inviting comfort of the wonderful antique atmosphere, the outstanding drinks and food, and above all with most popular bars in Lima, a great social environment.  Speaking of food El Queirolo offers a variety of food options from typical and traditional meals to the popular and widely sought after sandwiches made up of delicious meats like Jamon de Pais among others.  The drinks are amazingly good and a recommended drink would definitely have to be their Chilcano de Pisco.  This refreshing drink is made from their very own Queirolo Pisco mixed with ginger ale and a few squeezes of lime juice, making it the perfect refreshing summer drink that's actually great just about anytime of the year.  Their Chilcano de Pisco is recognized by many Limeños to be the best in the city! 


El Queirolo has won such recognition in the eyes of the citizens of Lima that it is a highly frequented and recommended location.  The old tavern is seen as a cultural and social hub where people can gather to pass the time with friends and family where they can have that experience of being in a bar that is literally frozen in time from an era long forgotten.  The feeling that you get when you first walk into the tavern is that similar to stepping back into the past, as the decor and old wood floors, furniture and ceiling along with the many antiques that embellish and adorn the place.  Some of the antiques that will catch your eye when you first walk into the tavern will be the old cash register and phonograph, but what really stands out is the old telephone near the front entrance of the tavern.  This telephone is one of two very first telephone's to ever be installed in Peru!  It's even more amazing to see all this antiques still in their preserved state.


 

El Queirolo's history is an intriguing one which dates back to the year 1880 when the Queirolo family first arrived it what was once called the district of Magdalena Vieja, which is today named the district of Pueblo Libre.  The name Pueblo Libre was given by the famous "Liberator" General Don Jose de San Martín in 1821.  The Queirolo family was a traditional winemaker family whom upon arrival to Lima set up and founded the "Bodega Santiago Queirolo",  this was to be the very first location of the families vineyard.  It's important to for the reader to understand that in those times Lima was a much smaller and centralized city that it's much larger and gigantic iteration.  Many of the outlying districts that surrounded the central city hub were known for being the location of many vineyards, plantations, and farms all of which are long gone in today's modern version.  As the city of Lima began to grow throughout the first have of the 1900's so did the Queirolo families need to relocate their operational facilities and in 1963 they did just that by moving their vineyard operations to the southern coastal city of Cañete (which is one of many wine producing cities along the souther coast).  Today the wine-making tradition continues as future generations of the Queirolo family continue to keep the family practice alive and well.  Their wines and Pisco's are among the most popular and respected in the country and can be found and purchased in many of Lima's supermarket's, liquor stores, and especially at La Taberna Queirolo.


The Queirolo family business maintains an amazing company website which offers very interesting and useful information about their wines and Piscos for those interesting in learning more about the process of production. 

I highly recommend this bar/tavern and give it 5 stars out of 5 for it's over the top service, drinks, food, environment and overall excellence which is hard to find in a city of 9 million inhabitants.

It´s hard to believe I have had this blog for a little over a year now and that 200 articles later I have managed to keep this blog afloat.  Being unprepared for such an occasion I have decided to put together a list of my top 10 favorite article posts of Inti Aperture!

About a month ago I was with Zdenka walking around Pueblo Libre on a Saturday afternoon when we came across this Colombian bakery that had just opened up on Av. Sucre.  Outside a brightly colored sign read: "Villa Colombia".  The thick aroma of baking bread and pastries was what ultimately guided my nose to this quaint little panaderia (bakery).  First off I have never had Colombian food before and was eager to try some of the delicious looking items.  When we walked in we were warmly greeted by three eccentric Colombians whose accents were thicker than the smell of bread that had originally brought to their store.  Seriously though their accents were so thick I could have passed them off as Brazilians, luckily Zdenka was with me to help in the translations so all turned out well.



As I gazed upon the plethora of delicious and tantalizing bread based bits of heaven, I soon became lost in indecision, thankfully one of the owners kindly recommended one of their specialties.  A small golden and flaky bun with the consistency and texture of a croissant was placed on a small plate before my hungry eyes.  The man with pride and joy that seemed to resonate from deep with in his soul proudly introduced the pastry as Pan Hawaiana (Hawaiian bread).  As described above the bread has the flavour and texture of a croissant and houses a delicious medley of salty and savoury pork, melted white cheese (not sure what kind exactly), and sweet pieces of pineapple.  Together the flavours are harmonious and the crisp crunch of the bread helps to add another dimension to the experience.  The sign outside of the bakery states: "ricos y deliciosos productos con el auténtico sabor Colombiano", translated it states: "rich and delicious food with the authentic Colombian flavour".  Having experienced for the first time Colombian food I would have to agree with their slogan.



The Colombian bakery had many other types of amazing Colombian food from the famous Arepas (a flat bread made from corn and is similar in flavour to the tortilla but much thicker making it ideal for sandwiches and such) to Almojabanas (a Colombian bread made of corn flour) and Buñuelos (a wheat-based fritter with a slight Anise flavour).  These were but just a few of the many delicious Colombian food items being offered at the Villa Colombia Bakery.


For those interested in making the trip on over to Pueblo Libre in Lima, I have included the address along with a Google map to help navigate you to this wonderful haven of amazing Colombian food.

Av. Sucre 672 - Pueblo Libre
In front of Edelnor and opposite the Italian restaurant La Romana (which is one of the VERY FEW good Italian food restaurants, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TRY THEIR PIZZA!)

On the google map the bakery is in-between the Av. Callao and Av. La Mar.



View Larger Map

As an American from Oregon one thing I have missed a lot since I traveled abroad was horseback riding.  Now granted I'm originally from Portland which makes me a city boy but I have always enjoyed the times that I would travel with my family to Eastern Oregon where we would go horseback riding.  For those who enjoy or are hardcore fans of horseback riding will soon discover living in Lima, Peru that there aren't many options for said activity.

There are two places that I know of in Lima that offer horseback riding one is called Cabalgatas and it is located near Pachacamac just outside of Lima (heading south).  Cabalgatas offers horseback riding on the famed Caballo de Paso or Peruvian Paso Horse, and offers several packages based on how long the trip is and where it goes.  It's a great place for those visiting Peru who would love the opportunity to on some great horseback trips with the extra cash to spare, however it becomes a little too pricey for those living and working in Lima.  That's where the alternative comes into play!  The other location for horseback riding called Los Caballos, is located just a few minutes from Chorrillos and can be found on the Panamericana Sur Hwy. just a few meters from the wildlife reserve Pantanos de Villa.  As you drive past Los Pantanos de Villa you will see a side road that runs parallel to the highway (this is called Av. Prolongación Huaylas), now on weekends you will see the horses just grazing alongside the road.  Parking is available on the street and the horses can be rented for vary reasonable rates.  For a half hour I was charged S/. 15 and for the hour it was S/.25 which is miles away in comparison to the US dollar rates charged at Cabalgatas.  The owners also offer lessons to those new to horseback riding and it is included in the fee!  You are then guided through a trail that leads towards the beach, the trip takes about a half hour roundtrip.  While the view wasn't 100% spectacular the ride was great since you are allowed to ride at your pace or experience which can be fun especially when bringing a horse into a gallop along the beach.  The owners are friendly which is another plus.



For those with a good amount of money to spend Cabalgatas might appeal more to you (though I personally find it a bit too expensive), and for the rest who just want to have fun horseback riding but don't want to spend a lot of money then Los Caballos will suffice. Here is a review of Cabalgatas that was done by Viva Travel Guides which also has directions on how to get there: LINK

Cabalgatas:
Contact Information:
Phone: 51-1-9837-5813 / 9507-8444
Fax: 51-1-221-4591
E-mail: informes(at)remove-this.cabalgatas.com.pe
URL: www.cabalgatas.com.pe

Los Caballos:
Contact Information:
Phone: 51-1-988889662 or 51-1-993283039
Address: Av. Prolongacion Huaylas 21, 600 Alt. Puente Villa - Chorrillos
Open: Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays - Monday-Fridays with previous appointment

With my boredom levels at a peak and my need to escape the shackles of my computer chair, I headed out on a photographic expedition through the city of Lima.  While walking aimlessly through the main different districts that make up this wonderful cosmopolitan city, I found myself wandering the old rustic and bohemian streets of Barranco.

As the sun slowly set over the Pacific thus bringing an end to my rather uneventful weekend the cries of an unfed and unappreciated stomach yearned for nourishment.  Rising to the call of duty I packed up the Nikon and headed out in search of something new and unique to satisfy the monster within.  Along my walk near the famous Puente de Suspiros I came across a common street vendor who was hard at work cooking up his next batch of sweet caramelized popcorn.  I figured a little snack on my quest for sustenance wouldn't hurt so I ponied up S/. 1.00 for the delicious bag of golden goodness.  Snack in hand I continued towards my goal where I finally reached the municipal square (plaza) located in the most popular and bohemian area of Barranco.  There in the plaza was Barranco's all to popular street fair, where several cooks sell some the countries most prized and recognized dishes to hungry tourists and Peruvians alike.  Seeing this I was tempted to settle in with the crowd but having already eaten here before I continued forward until I came across this quaint little bar with walls stocked full of various liquors, wines, and beers....pure aesthetic heaven....(tear).




Walking in I knew I had reached my destination.  The bar called La Bodega - Bar de Don Juanito, I learned is a famous bar in Lima and for several years has been the melting pot and local watering hole of both Limeños and Barranquinos.


Upon entering the rustic bar I am warmly greeted by Don Cesar, one of the sons of Don Juanito who instantly read my mind when he caught me eyeballing the bountiful display of meat and cheese.  Right away I asked about the two giant legs of pork that glistened in their glowing glass display.  Don Cesar quickly sliced a piece of the infamous Jamón de País (country ham) and handed it to me where I was introduced to its wonderful, light and salty taste which instantly brought back memories of Christmas honey ham.  The next was a smoked pork called Jamón del Norte (northern ham), this meat I was told has been Don Juanito's secret recipe for years.  The smoked flavor of the pork with its strong and robust scent was truly delightful and a real treat for any avid carnivore aficionado.  Unable to decide I ordered two sandwiches or Sánguches of both, each was served on warm french bread rolls (pan frances), with Andean Cheese (extra), and salsa criolla (red onion, rocotó, cilantro, and lime juice).  To accompany my monstrous sánguches I ordered a small ice cold Coca Cola served in its vintage glass bottle, which is something that is difficult to find back in the States.  Together they made the perfect combination!

As I sat there and indulged my inner cravings I watched the people pass through the old plaza of Barranco as the remaining golden rays of sunshine painted the sky of orange, pink, purple, and dark blue, all accompanied by a gentle afternoon breeze.  I was experiencing a tranquility seldom achieved in today's busy world, a true moment of relaxation had been bestowed upon me and for the first time in many weeks all my worries put aside and I was able to enjoy one of life's amazing little moments.  Getting back the bar, while sitting at a wooden table I was surrounded by large wall mounted shelves stocked to their fullest with the finest in adult beverages.  The decor of an aging and preserved historical establishment that has survived the test of time and continues to defy modern progression as it carries out it's tradition.  The bodega (shop) and bar which was established in 1937, started off as a common hardware store which was originally owned and operated by an Italian immigrant was later converted into a bodega and then acquired by Don Juanito (who originally worked there as a waiter) for the price of only S/. 9,000, which in today's market converts to roughly $3,000, give or take.  This historic establishment grew in popularity as it soon became the place for many famous and notable celebrities like La Chabuca Grande, Oscar de Leon, President Alan Garcia, Joaquín Sabina, and many more.  Today it continues to be a popular spot for gathering by Limeños.

What has always seperated Don Juanito from other bars in the city was it's friendly atmosphere.  The bar has long established itself as a place for friends to gather and enjoy a light meal or a round of drinks.  Here any newcomer can feel welcome as they enter the bar and is part of why so many have flocked from all over the city.  Don Juanito is not like other bars in Barranco where people go to get wasted on alcohol, instead it is sought after for it's friendly conversational environment (think what Starbucks has always tried to advertise themselves as).  It's also viewed as a great place to meet a diverse background of locales from all over the city as well as foreigners from all around the world.  During the day the establishment has a calm atmosphere, while at night Don Juanito can be found packed with hungry and thirsty patrons all crammed within the little bars walls.  It's a place where lively conversations and laughter are always available and waiting for those who choose to enter within.


As I bring this article to a close I just want to say that the short time I spent there, along side the wonderful and delicious food was more than enough to make me want to return to relive that initial memory.  I highly recommend La Bodega - Bar de Don Juanito.  The price is highly affordable in comparison with to it's neighboring counterparts, and the service is top notch, with a smile!  That is why I give it a posthumous 5 out of 5!

** Sadly, on January 1st of this year, just 35 minutes after midnight, Don Juanito (97) passed away when he suffered from cardiac arrest.  He is remembered by his sons, who currently run La Bodega - Bar.  

For those interested here is the directions:
Avenida Grau 274, Barranco
Located across from the Plaza de Barranco or Parque Central de Barranco

El Anzuelo or "fishhook" in English is a word that best represents the quality of the seafood you will find at the cevicheria El Anzuelo in Chorrillos.  When it comes to good fresh seafood (with the exception of the HUGE fish market in Villa Maria del Triunfo) in Lima no other districts can compete with Callao and in this case Chorrillos.  Both districts are also recognized for the large amount of fishing that takes place in its waters of their coasts.


With great fresh seafood coupled with the love and admiration of cooking, Chef Teo creates wonderful and simple dishes that leave you wanting more.  Owner and well-known Chef Teo provides the citizens of Chorrillos with a large menu of various seafood dishes featuring everything from the Peruvian classic Ceviche Dos Tiempos to the appetizingly spicy calamari stuffed tequeños.   Chef Teo is well recognized for his culinary creations from his days back when he worked as a chef at La Choza Nautica, located in Breña a few years ago.  Deciding it was time for a change the Chef decided to open a cevicheria of his own and today El Anzuelo is a testament of his hardwork and dedication.

At first appearance El Anzuelo has the look of any other local cevicheria on Av. Huaylas, it's small and quaint size may be intimidating but upon being seated and taking in the nautical atmosphere of fishing nets and sea shells along with the aroma of seafood dishes being prepared and will find your appetite grow.  The service is quick and the food doesn't take more than 15 minutes from time of order (on a regular day) til it reaches your table.  Any true fan of seafood who hasn't already eaten at this restaurant will want to give El Anzuelo a try and for what you get, you will soon discover that it's well worth the modest price.


I personally recommend the restaurant and give it a 5 out of 5 in my book.

This is an approximate address:

Defensores Del Morro 271, Chorrillos

Lima 09, Peru

Get Directions

(0)1 291 3170

The restaurant is located on Av. Huaylas in between Av. Santa Teresa and Av. Olaya, across from the Garibaldi Fire Station.  

Price: $-$$

Today's review is of Las Terrazas Grill located in the heart of Barranco.  With Peruvian food always in demand among locals and tourists an establishment like Terrazas has the appeal and presence to draw just about anyone through their intricate and lavish doors.  Located across from the parque municipal "plaza de armas" (municipal park)  Las Terrazas (the terraces) has a structual design that is very unique and stands out among its surrounding environment.  The terraces of the building are beautifully designed, and like the buildings exterior, the interior of building is just as wonderfully decorated with large oil paintings on the walls and the bar made of an indistiguishable carved wood makes you feel like you have gone back in time.  However upon further inspection it becomes evident that Las Terrazas is more about its nightlife that its restaurant is a secondary attraction.   Las Terrazas has four floors with each one hosting its own dedicated dance floor and music, but lets face it in these economic times a nightclub is much more profitable than a restaurant any day, and if your located in an area that has several competing nightclubs that cater to a large number of locals and tourists then why the HELL wouldn't you want to jump on the band wagon.

The food at Las Terrazas is primarily seafood with dishes like ceviche being a flagship of the menu.  If your not into seafood or have just had more seafood than you care to eat, Las Terrazas also offers meat and pasta options like their beef medallions in mushroom sauce served with white rice and french fries or beef raviolis en their own special Terrazas meat sauce.  I had the opportunity to try both but was a little disappointed in the quality of the food.  First off I chose to visit the restaurant on a Sunday around 3pm in the afternoon with my girlfriend when the restaurant was rather deserted.  We took a few minutes to look over the rather large menu that specialized in almost everything (I'm not a big fan of restaurants that serve a broad range of food, it's usually an indication that food quality is going to be poor or mediocre).  Once we ordered we waited about a good 20 to 30 minutes to recieve our meals which given the fact that we were the only ones there was also disappointing.  To top it off our meals didn't even come out at the same time, there was roughly a 5 minute wait for my girlfriends dish to come out of the kitchen.  This makes me wonder about the restaurants service capabilities and quality on a BUSY day.

The food was ok but not much better than that.  What was consistent was the amount of salt the chef or cook (I am assuming the latter) decided to use in both dishes which was more than enough to make the meal unenjoyable, I believe a beverage became requisite in order to finish the meal.  The price was adequate for a restaurant located in a tourist hotspot.  Personally I don't see myself eating there again anytime soon, however this does not mean that I am writing off the restaurant completely since I haven't tried their seafood which as I mentioned earlier is their "bread and butter" so I might just have to go back and give them another try.  I would also like to check out their dance floors.

I give the restaurant 2 stars out of 5, a fairly low rating but given the experience I believe it to be fair.

Last Saturday I was hanging out with my girlfriend Zdenka at my place watching movies when we decided to go out and have some fun. We usually discuss what we want to do and plan out our night a little but not this time. I believe we spent roughly 30 minutes asking each other what each other wanted to do (you know the stupid back and forth that happens when two people have no idea what to do). Finally I said F-it (that's right I just censored myself, I Know I'm shocked too) and we decided to wing it, college-style.



I had the cab driver drop us off at Larco Mar in Miraflores. Once there we happened to walk by the Marriott Hotel's Majestic casino, surprisingly I was intrigued. Know the last time I can remember gambling was back in college when I was a student at the University of Portland, but that was just your average dorm room poker. In all honesty up until that night I had never actually played in a casino.

Seeing all those bright colorful lights drew me through the front doors (and past the hired muscle), like a fly to bright light. All the different sounds, lights, smells, and embellished carpeting seemed to heighten my senses. I was excited and nervous, I had been a long time since I had gambled and the fear of performance anxiety made my palms sweat. My fears are subsided as Zdenka takes my hand along with my S/.10 in coins, she's not afraid, she's been here before. She guides me too a slot machine and I ease into the drivers seat. I am instantly confused by all the buttons and on screen commands. The slot machine has an Asian theme with several recognizable (A.K.A. stereotypical) images. Zdenka explains how the game works and I do my best to pretend like I understand what she says. The first coin deposit is always the hardest but I reminded myself that I was here to have fun not invest in my future children's college fund (yeah right, like that's going to happen. That's what scholarships and student loans are for).

Anyways long story short, I started winning money (it's a good thing) and managed to walk away with a reasonable chunk of change (S/.90 to be exact, and that's from my initial S/.10). Knowing when to quit while I'm ahead (thanks Kenny Rogers) I decided to cash out. Feeling good about my win I asked myself: "self what does a person who has just won S/.90 do with that money?", the answer was simple "blow it on booze and food, duh".

So off walked Zdenka and I up Av. Larco where we passed a sports bar called "The Corner", and it was even on a corner too. I instantly like the idea of it being a sports bar and Zdenka was down for pretty much anything (A woman who will watch sports, drink beer all while in a rowdy bar full of drunk and obnoxiously loud males is a keeper in my book).

The Corner at first glance is a small sized bar with a warm interior full of sports paraphanilia and tons of flat screen tv's. The place a big bar and all the tables were high with comfortable stools. I found The Corner to be fairly comfortable with a fun atmosphere that made me reminisce about my college years and my Phi Delt brothers.




So we sit down in this packed bar full of mostly late 20's to late 30 year old's and I spot what looks like a hugh tube sitting at the table across from me. One of the guys moved his head and I realized that the tube was full of beer and it reminded my of a beer bong (aw..college what didn't you teach me). I was interested and I had to order it. On The Corner's menu I saw that it was called The Tower and it is basically a tall bong full of 3 Lt. of beer that is accompanied by an order of Taqueños w/guacamole. At S/.57 I was sold, so I ponied out some of my winnings and basked at the task ahead. I looked over at Zdenka who was at awe at the prospect that lied ahead and told her that the night was just beginning (it was 11pm).

While waiting on the Goliath of a beer I noticed that my sports viewing options were fairly narrow which disappointed me a little. The choices that night were a boxing match between some dude from Mexico V. some dude from the US (the guy from the US won, take that MeJico!), a soccer match, and ESPN highlights covering the weeks College Football Games. I chose to watch the ESPN highlights figuring I could catch up on all the football I was missing (Great to see UofOregon doing good but even better to see that the Washington Husky's beat the crap out of USC, their overrated even if they have talent).






Finally the Tower was brought to our table and the drinking was commenced. The taqueños were awesome by the way, a perfect snack to accompany a nice cold beer. Zdenka and I then dedicated the next 2 hours to chugging down an unidentified beer in the comfort of what eventually became an empty bar. The first 2 Lt were solid for the both of us both, as we both felt fine, except we weren't (as a veteran party animal and alcohol hobbyist, I should have seen the signs of my impending intoxication). The last remaining liter of beer proved to be the final nail in the coffin and before I new it I was frenching the Tower and milking it of it's sweet malty nectar. 30 minutes later our task was accomplished and in our inebriated state we said our goodbye's to our new friend The Corner, knowing that one day we would return.



The rest of the night turned out great and I wish I could comment on it because the details are still kind of fuzzy (all I can say is that the night continued to get better. I'll let you make your own conclusions). What I can say is that The Corner while not cheap is great place to hangout, drink, watch sports, and make an ass out of yourself. I will definately be going back there again.

NOTE: also they have a great food menu.

Here is another great review of The Corner by Ben JonJak

The Corner Sports Bar and Grill
Av. Larco 1207, Miraflores.
444-0220.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to eat at the Choza Nautica in Breña. When I was 13 I remember eating there once with my family. The restaurant at the time had more of a heavier nautical-esc theme to it, now 10 years later the place has a whole new look to it. In an attempt to stay current with todays modern trends La Choza Nautica has remodeled the main floor of their principal restaurant (They have a second one just across the street that serves as an auxillary which I have not been inside). The tabletops are glass with metal chairs, the walls are painted red which add a little warmth to the cold feeling of their seating. The second floor remains fairly unchanged and still maintains it's original charm, which not surprisingly is where the majority tend to eat. La Choza also provides live musical entertainment on their main floor with excellent singers belting out today's hottest songs.



On to the FOOD

La Choza specializes in seafood and is where it really shines (they also serve criollo plates, but hey lets face it you didn't go to a seafood restaurant to eat beef did you?). They have a large list of wonderful dishes for one to choose, from the classic/cop-out Ceviche to Causa de Pulpa de Cangrejo (causa of crab meat).




I ate on a Saturday in the afternoon (which was rather full) with Zdenka and her friends. This gave me the best opportunity to sample several popular dishes. The wait time on a busy day was roughly around 25 minutes.

The plates that I sampled were the following: Arroz con Mariscos (seafood fried rice), Causa de Pulpa de Cangrejo, Tiradito, Chicharron de Calamar (fried Calamari), and Pulpo al Olivo (Octopus in Kalamata Olive Sauce). The dishes were great and the seafood were fresh and flavorful. The seafood is fresh and is prepared with care and skill that is visible in its final form. The calamari was fresh and well balanced with the breading giving it a light and cruchy flavor. The proportion size of the plates are the perfect amount to satisfy the palate and justify the investment.

The service was good and the overall experience was pleasant, definately a good spot to have lunch with the family or friends. I would not recommend it as a romantic date spot due to the multiple tv's playing sports or music, not to mention the loud music from the first floor. La Choza Nautica is a very social dining experience with great food.

One negative might be the price ($$) which ranges from S/. 15 a plate to S/. 35, which might make eating here a bit pricey for some.




Overall the food is well worth those few extra soles and I would definately recommend those who have not eaten there to try it out. Reservations can also be arranged in advance for those with large parties.

Location:

Av. Breña 204/211/213
located on the first block of the Av. Arica - to the back of Plaza Bolognesi
511-423-8087

For a look at their menu visit their website: www.lachozanautica.com