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Puerto 27 Peruvian Kitchen & Pisco Bar - Pacifica's
new Gem
Dining
Detectives
By Carol & Joe Davis
Pacifica
is just south of San Francisco on Highway One. It boasts beautiful
views of the Pacific Ocean and the San Bruno Mountains but we
have never found great dining over the years and just kept driving
to other beach towns to eat. Now Executive Chef/ Restaurateur
Jose Calvo-Perez who with his family also owns
Pasion www.PasionSF.com
and Fresca www.FrescaSF.com
in San Francisco have opened Puerto 27 Peruvian Kitchen
& Pisco Bar which features Authentic Peruvian cuisine
and has given us a reason to come to Pacifica. The décor
is fabulous with an exhibition kitchen, a Peruvian Amazon themed
mural created by Michael Brennen, an Inca Head Sculpture, a large
communal table, raised lovely Bar Area in the center of the restaurant
with a White Caesar Stone Bar and a fantastic ocean view!
As
we sipped on our Pisco cocktails, created by Mixologist
Enrique Sanchez, we enjoyed Plantain Chips. We loved the Classico
Pisco Sour made with Pisco Quebranta, key lime juice, simple syrup,
egg whites and angostura bitters and the Punta Hermosa made with
pisco infused hibiscus, lime juice, fresh ginger ale and old fashioned
bitters. These cocktails were perfect!
Our
first course was the Ceviche Sampler which is excellent
for sharing and a great way to enjoy many tastes. We loved the
Ceviche Puerto 27 made with White Fish, Shrimp, Calamari,
Scallop, Cilantro, red onion, and lime juice aji rocoto , the
Ceviche Crocante made with White Fish, aji Amarillo leche
de tigre, cilantro, red onion and crispy calamari, the Ceviche
Chifa made with Bigeye Tuna, peanuts, wonton, scallions,
sesame, avocado and aji limo ponzu leche de tigre and the Ceviche
Tradito Pucusana made with Peruvian Style Sashimi ahi tuna,
passion fruit leche de tigre, avocado mousse, black sea salt and
sweet potato. All four of the Ceviches demonstrated Peruvian flavors
which have made ceviche so popular. Leche de tiger is the traditional
Peruvian citrus based marinade which cures the seafood and is
also known as Tiger's Milk.
Next,
we enjoyed Causa's a traditional favorite in Peru which are a
made with yellow potatoes similar to yukon gold. The Causa
Masaki made with Crispy Shrimp, Dungeness Crab, Avocado,
crispy yam, and Nikkei aioli and the Causa Gravlox made
with Pisco cured salmon gravlox, Japanese cucumber, hijiki, crispy
squid and lime honey sauce were both delicious. They were formed
into a roll and sliced for beautiful presentation and excellent
to share.
The
Entrees are all very reasonably priced. Our favorite was the Arroz
Con Mariscos Mixed Seafood and Shellfish Paella made with
aji panca spiced rice, crispy calamari, salsa criolla. It was
moist, perfectly sized portion and just amazing! We also enjoyed
the traditional comfort food Aji De Gallina which was
tasty Pulled Chicken Stew with aji Amarillo cream, botija olives,
boiled egg and spiced roasted walnuts. We added some hot sauce,
as we prefer our dishes spicier and it is perfect served over
rice. The Yuca Frita fried yucca with huancaina sauce was a great
side dish as well....because it is different!
The
Wine List is International and has a Latin Flair. We enjoyed the
2010 Casnati Pinot Grigio Mendoza, Argentina, which was
crisp and well chilled with our entrees. The Desserts are made
by Pastry Chef Masaki Uyema.
We
enjoyed both the traditional Flan with the blueberries
and raspberries and the more modern interpretation of the Tres
Leches Cake. However, the Flan was our favorite because it was
perfect, which is difficult to find.
Puerto
27 Peruvian Kitchen & Pisco Bar is a great addition
to the Bay Area dining scene. You can enjoy fabulous cocktails,
fresh healthy reasonable priced cuisine and the spectacular Pacific
Ocean view. They are open nightly, have Happy Hour from 3:00 PM
to 5:00 PM and offer weekend brunch. Puerto 27 Peruvian
Kitchen & Pisco Bar is fabulous and lots of fun!
Puerto
27 Peruvian Kitchen & Pisco Bar
525 Crespi Drive
(On Highway 1 adjacent to the Pacifica Beach Hotel))
Pacifica, CA. 94044
650-733-7343
www.puerto27.com
