Taranta Cucina Meridonale
Taranta Cucina Meridonale is one of the most unique fusion restaurants in the Boston area, marrying Peruvian cuisine with southern Italian. Fronted by chef and owner Jose Duarte, who offers annual Peruvian adventure trips, the restaurant is in a renovated building on the north end of Boston. The old-time brick and wooden features of the two-story restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu offers a variety of flavorful dishes of beef and fish. Among the top choices are Costoleta di maiale con canna di zucchero e rocoto, which is a pork chop cooked in a sugar cane brine, glazed with a pepper mix and served with yucca piatella, Peruvian corn, spinach and onions. The menu also features cancha-crusted tilapia, salmon, trout and pan-seared tuna. The restaurant offers a full wine and dessert menu as well.
Taranta Cucina Meridonale
210 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113-2302
(617) 720-0052
tarantarist.com
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu offers a full menu of ceviche, the national dish of Peru, in nearly 15 different varieties of fish and citrus. Machu Picchu offers several varieties of tacu tacu, as well, a unique Peruvian dish that mixes rice and beans. Another special entree is lomo saltado, a dish of plantains, marinated steak, vegetables and fried potatoes. Tucked into Union Square with long tables and South American decor, Machu Picchu keeps its atmosphere more authentic with regular perfomances from Peruvian folk musicians.
Machu Picchu
307 Somerville Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143-2935
(617) 628-7070
machupicchuboston.com
Rincon Limeno
Rincon Limeno is a smaller restaurant with a few tables plus art on the walls such a mural of Peru on the back end, but the restaurant in Day Square offers a host of Peruvian specialty items that can't be found many other places, including cau-cau, which is Peruvian tripe with potatoes and rice, and seco de cabrito con frijoles, which is lamb with beans and rice. Seafood makes up a big part of the menu, including several types of shrimp and fish ceviche.
Rincon Limeno
409 Chelsea St., Day Square
East Boston, MA 02128
(617) 569-4942
rinconlimenorestaurant.com
Pollos A La Brasa El Chalan
Pollos A La Brasa El Chalan is a small corner restaurant in East Boston run by a family of Peruvian immigrants with a focus on rotisserie chicken. The chicken are mostly bought whole (the restaurant has a special of buying four chickens and getting one free) and served with rice and beans. Traditional Peruvian seafood dishes, including fried snapper and squid, are also on the menu. The brick interior with long tables is a great spot for large groups or families.
Pollos A La Brasa El Chalan
405 Chelsea St.
East Boston, MA 02128-1482
(617) 567-9452
pollosalabrasaelchalan.com
Article Written By Mike Koehler
Mike Koehler is a full-time public relations and new media strategist. He has 15 years of experience as a reporter, editor and journalist. He has spoken across the country about the intersection of journalism, social media and the Web. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and three kids. Koehler has written for NewsOK.com, Revenews.com, Artofmanliness.com, Dumblittleman.com, Trails.com and Answerbag.com.
