When it comes to food quality and variety, Sabor a Peru takes the lead

By Nicole Zummar/Columnist

I’m going to have my restaurant, she said. Yo lo voy a tener.

The Peruvian young lady worked as a waitress in a delicacy shop and had big dreams of owning her own place. She had a friend who worked as a waitress in the same shop who often remembers the conversations they had.

She would never stop talking about her future restaurant, the friend said.

And the dream became reality.

Six years ago, after the closure of the delicacy shop, the former waitress was able to open a restaurant right across the street: Sabor a Peru.

Sitting on 2923 Biscayne Blvd, the owner honored her roots by opening a Peruvian restaurant. The friend she used to work with at the delicacy shop now works as a waitress in Sabor a Peru.

She opened the restaurant with her boyfriend — who is now her husband, said the friend. They met at the shop, and when she opened the restaurant he worked as chef and she as waitress.

Since then, the couple has grown the restaurant staff a considerable amount, holding about 10 amicable waiters and chefs at any given time.

The restaurant’s specialty—like any other Peruvian place—is ceviche. However, unlike any other place, it’s a pretty good plate.

A couple of weeks ago, I covered another Peruvian restaurant near campus, Peru Criollo. It has several advantages over Sabor a Peru, such as its proximity to Modesto A. Maidique and that it offers delivery to the campus.

Nonetheless, when it comes to food quality and variety, the Midtown restaurant holds the lead. With over 60 plates — not counting entrees, salads, soups and the like — Sabor a Peru will satisfy almost every craving.

I’ve tried a good variety of the different entrees and appetizers that they offer. Trying everything from the anticucho de corazon to my typical lomo saltado and ceviche de pescado to chaufa de mariscos and arroz con mariscos.

The anticucho de corazon is a surprisingly delicious appetizer that consists of chopped cow’s heart with a light sauce on top served on two skewers

The lomo saltado and ceviche de pescado — as well as ceviche mixto — are all dishes that are served in Peru Criollo. The lomo offered in Sabor a Peru is more flavorful than in the other Peruvian restaurant. Even though they belong to the same cuisine, the way the Midtown restaurant prepares their tender meat strips leaves you wanting more.

The ceviches are similar in regards to taste, but again, Sabor a Peru adds a little je ne sais quoi that makes my taste buds buzz in response. Even after ordering it several times, I still haven’t been able to pinpoint what makes this dish’s flavor so good.

The chaufa de mariscos and arroz con mariscos are very similar plates. They’re both prepared with a great variety of seafood, ranging from shrimp to oysters and calamari.

The difference is that the chaufa is fried-rice-style, while the arroz is simply mixed with seafood. However, there’s nothing simple about these plates’ savor. Both are tasty dishes that I often order, depending on my mood.

While the restaurant’s locale is not a must-see, the size is just small enough to be cozy but not overwhelmed. It’s somewhat cafeteria-style, but the Peruvian cuisine makes the modest restaurant stand out.

In fact, Sabor a Peru exceeded my expectations in comparison to its renowned competition, CVI.CHE 105 in Downtown. The dishes are more flavorful and hold larger portions — for a better price.

Sabor a Peru is a must-go if you ever find yourself in the area. Trust me, I’m a Foodie.