The place that we heard and read about was called Chicha. One doesn't get a table for dinner there without reservations. And there were simply no reservations available before our Inca Trail hike, unless we were willing to eat at 9:30 p.m. I'm not one for eating a meal right before bedtime.
Instead, we ended up at a place called Morena Peruvian kitchen which overlooked the Plaza de Armas. Peru is well-known for delicious food, and this was probably the best dining experience that we've had in many years anywhere for less than the price of Olive Garden in the U.S.
It started with a Pisco Sour. Pisco is a grape distilled spirit. The cocktail is generally made with Pisco, lime juice, egg white, and bitters. Mine had some other fresh juices in it and was made table-side--something new to me.
Julia and I shared an appetizer: grilled alpaca on a skewer, along with potatoes and vegetables. Peru has over 200 varieties of potatoes.
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| Yes, the flowers are edible |
Julia had a non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn and a chicken dish.
I had what they called beef stir-fry, but that doesn't do it justice. The marinated beef was flavorful and so tender that you could cut it with a fork.
Next up: our guided tour of Cusco's public market and historical sites.
