El Sotano Sabor Peruano is still a new restaurant whose excellent cuisine's reputation is expanding quickly in Lima. A family-run restaurant where the young chef Santiago Santolalla, age 19, can display his culinary creativity and surprise you with his fusion-style rendition of many Peruvian traditional recipes.
Chef Santiago Santolalla and his young crew — Photo courtesy of El Sotano
We recommend this restaurant not only because of its great flavors, but also because the servings are generous; unless you have a really huge appetite, one of these dishes is enough for two (or even three if, like me, you don't eat much). This way, you also get to try more options.
Arroz Pachamanquero — Photo courtesy of Isabel Guerra
The star here, undoubtedly, is the "Cebiche cremoso," a new version of the Peruvian flagship dishl but there is also the fantastic "Arroz Pachamanquero de Mariscos," a kind of seafood risotto that mixes traditional cuisines from Peru's Andean and Coastal regions; or the "Causaki," a Peruvian version of the Japanese makis, but prepared with 100% Peruvian yellow potatoes instead of rice.
Causaki — Photo courtesy of Isabel Guerra
In addition to the menu options, you can also try the "Menu del dia," which provides several options every day and at even lower prices. This restaurant is not too close to usual tourism or Lima sightseeing routes, but if you consider yourself a true foodie, then visiting is a must. Take a taxi to La Molina; you may spend some 15 soles, but it's really worth it. Bon appetit!
Salmon — Photo courtesy of El Sotano
