When I think of Peruvian food, I think of ceviche. And to be honest, that’s pretty much about all I know. But after visiting newly opened Del Mar al Lago, I got a quick Peruvian cuisine education and there is so much more to Peruvian food.
Luis Ponce, from Peru, and Aaldo Diaz, from neighboring Chile, recently opened the Peruvian cebicheria in town and are passionate about sharing Peruvian culture with Park City. Peruvian cuisine has been influenced by food from all over the world making it extremely eclectic. Peru’s food received influences from the indigenous population including the Inca as well as influences brought by the cuisines of immigrants including Spanish, Italian, Germany, Chinese and Japanese. Without the familiar ingredients from their home countries, immigrants modified their traditional cuisines by using ingredients available in Peru – creating the diverse cuisine of Peru. Del Mar al Lago is dishing up many of these Peruvian fusion dishes with a menu full of fresh, natural ingredients and they try to source as many local ingredients as possible.
While I was trying to explore outside of ceviche, I’d still recommend trying one of their many versions all made in the traditional manner containing classic ingredients including Tiger’s milk (a citrus-based marinade that cures the seafood into ceviche), onions, cilantro, chili, corn, corn nuts and sweet potato.
Other dishes include chaufas (peruvian fried rice), several asian inspired noodle dishes, paella and causas (seasoned mashed potatoes with a choice of seafood). The restaurant also has a full bar and serves up Peru’s most famous drink: the pisco sour which includes pisco as the base liquor, sour citrus juice, syrup, egg whites and bitters.
While I have only begun my Peruvian cuisine literacy, Del Mar al Lago is the perfect spot to explore Peruvian cuisine without leaving Park City.
Cebiche with Leche de Tigre
Platanos Fritos | Fried plantains with sweet and sour cream sauce
Parihuela (Peruvian style Bouillabaisse) | A seafood based broth south with a variety of fish, shrimp, squid, scallops, Peruvian panca pepper and fresh cilantro
