Ayahuasca in Barranco

Barranco is reminiscent of Greenwich Village in New York City. Lots of hip and cool street life and lots of bars and nightclubs. The scene we found at Ayahuasca did not disappoint. From the outside you are lead to believe that you are entering a old mansion of sorts but though its magnificent wood-carved doors, you find before you a huge multi-level space with various bar areas and private party rooms, dressed in stylishly sleek furniture. No pisco sours for me tonight. The vibe here at Ayahuasca made me order a Manhattan!

The photo here is of one of the many incredible appetizers we ordered. Sad to say, there are no pictures of the amazing sushi we devoured or all the other plates, guess we were all too busy sampling!

A favorite in town- Panaderia San Antonio's

It's said that picture is worth a thousand words. . . Here are snapshots of Peruvian saxophonist Laura A's favorite bakery in town. Need I add that Panaderia San Antonio in Miraflores is mine now too?

Punto Azul (in Miraflores)

Punto Azul is the place to head for ceviche, ceviche, and more ceviche. With two locations, Pont Azul is a long time favorite of locals and tourists alike. Lunch here was our first real taste of the local cuisine, including its world famous ceviche. Throughout the meal, platters and platters of the restaurant's best versions of its ceviche and other seafood dishes (including tasty scallops au gratin) kept coming, along with delicious variations of rice and seafood. Hands down, the seafood in Lima is unbelievable!

Later in the week, students returned for a private tour of the kitchen and a cooking class with the executive chef and owner of Punto Azul. Raves all the way around.

Laritza's

By far the best gelato ever!!!! Local flavors include lucuma, sauco, chirimoys, maracuya, granadilla and aguaymanto. I was too busy devouring the cone to photograph. Add this place to your must do's when in Lima. Laritza's will not disappoint!

Mangos

Mango's overlooks the beach and offers a all included hot and cold buffet for lunch. Local house specialities sit along side of beef capaccio, made to order pastas, some asian dishes, and seafood-stuff in avocados, crab shells and causas.

And a dessert station that held gelatos, flan, fresh fruit, cakes and tortes and a chocolate fondue.

Needless to say, many took full advantage of the all you can eat buffet offered here.

Pardo's

If one is on a budget and traveling with 35 others in tow (like us) or simply missing the Domenican-styled rostisserie chicken one (like me) finds back in New York, a visit to Pardo's Chicken will more than satisfy. It's rotisserie chicken at its best - moist (and crisp) and seasoned to perfection.

The menu at Pardo's Chicken also includes huge salads that appeal to tourists who forgo warnings about eating raw vegetables and fruits dive right in. And, just when you think that you are about to burst, a waitress comes over with the dessert cart.

However, don't asked me about Pardo's other speciality called "anticuchos" (grilled beef hearts). Though I consider myself rather adventurous when it comes to tasting "exotic" foods - I didn't have the heart to try it.

Tanta's

Tanta is as along the lines of many of the stylish but casual food eateries one would find in cities such as New York or Boston. It serves freshly made soups, salads, Peruvian sandwiches called sanguches, creative pastas and a few classic Limao dishes to a hip-looking crowd of patrons. For me, lunch here was an incredibly rich and gooey bowl (really a mini-vat) of french onion soup, followed by an empanada de carne that literally dissolved in my mouth.

I have to say, however, that the most incredible thing about Tanta is the desserts. Astrid Gutsche (co-owner of Astrid y Gaston), an extrodinary pastry chef in her own right, has created an array of mouthwatering desserts such as supiro de limena, lucuma brownies, and granitas made soley from fruit and sugar.

The one pictured here was absolutely to die for!