Paiche LA opens new, fantastic Peruvian/Japanese restaurant in Marina del Rey & Mo-Chica Downtown by same Owners (5/13)

Looking for a creative, new restaurant on the Westside? Check out Paiche in Marina del Rey, which is a fantastic Peruvian/Japanese place that just opened last month.  With two other restaurants, Chef Ricardo Zarate has brought a new twist to dining along with incredible menu items comprised with mostly tapas family style.

Start off with one of their abrebocas y ensaladas (sort of appetizers) such as the delicious tuna tartar with caviar, grilled eggplant and our favorite not to miss dish of the night “paiche lettuce wrap”.  How can you go to Paiche and not get the paiche so you have to. This amazon fish (kind of a combination of cod and monk fish) was grilled to perfection and marinated with miso with a crispy sweet potato.

Peru is famous for ceviches, so combined with the Japanese flair is their sashimi ceviche choices of 14 different fish. We chose the kampachi, which is similar to yellowtail but this is another not to miss.

Tiraditos (meat and fish dishes)  and Frituras (fried items popular in Peru)  were in the middle part of the menu and offered selections such as seared Wagyu beef, yuquitas- fried stuffed beignets with cheese and other seafood & fried specialties.

Next up were items from the Anticucho Grill such as crispy tuna tacu, calamari relleno with chorizo, grilled chicken, short ribs, grilled quail and pacu amazon fish ribs.

The Cocina part of the menu consisted of more entrée dishes that were more substantial We tried a few of them and highly suggest the chaufa de langosta- a tasty fried rice dish with seafood and lobster, sweet potato gnocchi, Lomita al jugo (sautéed beef filet) and saltado de camarones- a homemade stew with shrimp and pasta that was undercooked like it should be to perfection.

You definitely need to try one of their Peruvian specialty cocktails and/or wines (all from South America or Spain) to accompany your flavorful and some spicy dishes.  I had the pink panther alcoholic fruit drink and a glass of white wine “Condes de Albarei” from Spain.

The restaurant has a casual atmosphere with a South American/European feel with beautiful décor, piped in Spanish listening music, an open kitchen and friendly staff & servers including the general manager named Cort.  This is unlike any other places around so it is a great experience besides fantastic food.   Another cool effect was the computers on the wall that your server will use to input your order. It then goes directly to the kitchen and cooked to order.  The only thing missing which we heard is coming soon is a bigger sign of the restaurant outside as this place will get even more popular once that arrives.  You can see more at www.paichela.com  and it is located at 13488 Maxella Ave in Marina del Rey.   310-893-6100.

                                                                                                                                             

Mo-Chica Peruvian Restaurant Downtown LA by the same owner-

Mo-Chica is in a good location downtown and easy to find. It is a very nice, casual set up for a medium size restaurant. We had a fabulous dining experience with outstanding service and information about the food preparation and ingredients.

 

Mo-Chica restaurant is probably one of the best places in Town to experience the uniqueness in flavor and presentation of the traditional Peruvian food and is owned by the same owner who just put in Paiche in Marina del Rey.

About the Food:

For starters-

  BETERRAGA -Roasted beet salad, burrata, cancha, orange aji amarillo dressing is not to miss.

·             PAN CON TUNA -Grilled bread, spicy tuna, cucumber jalapeno relish, yuzu mayo is delicious!

 

 

For Entrees- Some of our top selections are:

·         Anticucho de Pulpo. A very innovative version of the traditional Anticucho, which is originally made of cow’s heart. For first timers, this will definitely taste like something you probably never tried before with perfect juice, color, and texture. A great way to combine it with roasted potatoes and Jalapeno Sauce. So delicious!

 Paiche. A great and unique opportunity to taste such an exotic and uncommon fish like Paiche. Brought from the Amazonian waters is probably one of the best rewards for your palate.

Try this with Ajiaco de Arroz and Cherry Tomato Escabeche, a very interesting combination proves the creativity of the restaurant’s stuff to combine such diversity in one single dish.

Ceviche (Carretillero, Mixto, Albacore). If you want to have a real Peruvian food experience you can’t skip trying the popular Ceviche which is offered in three different varieties, take the time to check the differences in the menu and pick your favorite. 

·         TALLARINES CON CAMARONES- Grilled tiger prawns, tagliatelle, peanuts, Peruvian black mint pesto which blended a variety of spices and tastes.

 

·         Other choices are the oxtail, beef filet and short ribs if you are looking for some red meat to enjoy.

More info, menus and photos at  http://mo-chica.com/