Restaurant Review – La Onceava
Posted on | September 28, 2012 | 7 Comments
I’m having fun lately going out to a lot of different restaurants. It’s something we didn’t do much of when the boys were smaller; now that they’re a little older and have more “discerning” palates, they’re starting to enjoy trying different things too.
This last week, however, we were invited out to lunch by one of my husband’s friends. He took us to a really great seafood restaurant in Barranco called La Onceava.
I’m going to say straight out – it was delicious. Everything I ate was top notch, gourmet class. My husband had a slightly different opinion; he thought that it was really good, but didn’t think it was so good that it deserved the higher prices it had. I think it was worth every centimo.
The restaurant is set on a quiet side street, with a large, open outdoor patio and lots of trees, creating a fairly unique dining experience. The menu features items with clever names, for example the “Ceviche Rock and Pop de los 80s”, which features fish and clams – anyone living in Lima knows how popular 80s’ rock and pop is here!
We went for an early lunch, which of course in Lima, means ceviche. We chose the Cuatros Ceviches, which came served in 4 glasses, artfully arranged on a wooden serving platter. It was really nice being able to compare four different 
styles of ceviche: prawn ceviche with octopus, black mussel ceviche with clams, fish ceviche in a shrimp sauce, and mixed seafood ceviche.
Each was wonderful in its own way, and each was a twist on the typical ceviche. I particularly enjoyed the prawn ceviche, the octopus was very thin and tender, as you can see in this close-up shot – click on the pictures to enlarge!
My main dish was listed in the pasta section of the menu, but wasn’t pasta at all – it was the enrollado de pescado gratinado (stuffed filet au gratin). Easily one of the best things I’ve eaten in a very long time, this was a large, thin filet rolled and stuffed with spinach, ham and prawns then covered with cheese and baked. The sauce was incredible! This picture really doesn’t do it justice at all – it’s got to be experienced.
The Hubs got the Pescado a lo Macho, which sort of translates to “manly fish”. It’s supposed to be on the spicy side, with a healthy dose of Peruvian aji. He said the sauce wasn’t spicy, and tasted more like a white sauce. He was kind of disappointed with his, although I think it was really good. The sauce had a variety of seafood like calamari and shrimp.
Finally, we have the dish that our friend Andres ordered – the Tacu Tacu Crocante. Tacu tacu is a dish made of beans and rice, refried together. In this case, they were formed into a pancake shape and fried until crispy, and then served with sauteed calamari and mussels in a cream sauce. Andres said it was really good! And in true criollo style, it was topped with a red onion relish (zarsa).
Despite my husband’s disappointment with his dish – it wasn’t bad, just not what he was expecting – I thought the food was really good and worth the prices.
And how about the prices? Expect to pay around 70 soles per person, including appetizers and drinks (the guys had beer, I had soda). Our ceviche appetizer was about 70 soles on its own, but it was plenty for all three of us. The entrees ranged from about S/.25 to S/.55.
The restaurant is located in Barranco, San Ambrosio, cuadra 4. Click Here to see their website, where you can find a map by clicking on “Contactenos” – you can also see their menu, although without prices. They have a wide variety of dishes, including some criollo plates like arroz con pato and Andean dishes like roast leg of lamb.
I recommend them if you’re looking for something a step above the typical ceviche place.
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7 Responses to “Restaurant Review – La Onceava”
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I got tired of life happening while I made other plans, so I quit my job and came to Peru. I live here with my Peruvian husband, two sons, three dogs and various other family members, depending on the weather.
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October 2nd, 2012 @ 21:20
Hmm. I may have to give it a try the next time I’m in Lima…
Juancho´s last [type] ..Trujillo Toy Museum
January 4th, 2013 @ 20:03
Hello, very nice article, I am Peruvian, but I tell you what male fish, not named for the spicy, if not for the large amount of fish you have to eat, but of course in the restaurant that you’re gone I think it’s gourmet (serve little) and will not see the plate as if you went to a restaurant guarique or Creole.
January 4th, 2013 @ 21:35
Gracias por la clarifacacion en el nombre
Mi esposo es peruano tambien – Él estaba satisfecho con el tamaño de la porción, pero dijo que necesitaba más condimento.
January 5th, 2013 @ 12:25
Hi, Kelly, welcome to Peru, a Peruvian’re already over, you know a lot, I. .. I wanted to ask you a question that has always intrigued me, I can understand that foreigners, especially Americans are different, and I understand, but as for women, my attention, because I’ve read, although I have not talked about that subject to any of you, on a fairly shallow and tiny: the whistles and compliments of Latinos are foreign to women on the street or not. Do I think that bothers you and not enough Latinas who rather feel flattered? I once read that you felt discriminated against because of that, but not convinced me, so I appreciate your response in advance, lol, I hope not too take your time with this curiosity.
January 5th, 2013 @ 12:47
En mi experiencia, hay muy pocos mujeres que aprecien esta tipo de atencion, no importa si son peruana o extranjeras. Los que dicen q’ le gusta son los que tienen baja autoestima.
Por los hombres q’ dicen es una muestra de aprecio – como sientes cuando es tu mama, tu hija, tu hermana?
Para los hombres, es una forma de mostrar dominancia masculina – se nota un solo hombre no lo hace – pero hombres en grupo. Por que? Por que quieren mostrar sus amigos que son el bacancito del barrio.
Para las mujeres, casi siempre sentimos verguenza y amenezadas – porque una no sabe hasta donde puenden llegar.
January 11th, 2013 @ 05:38
Many a time i have walked past this Restaurant,now i will try for sure
Thanks Kelly,always i love your stories
January 11th, 2013 @ 10:35
Thanks, Rozzy! Nice to see you!