Despite the star studded inauguration on February 16-17, Lima restaurant Astrid y Gastón Casa Moreyra’s official opening date is March 18th. One week before the doors open I met with executive chef Diego Muñoz, to see how things were progressing.
The future home of Latin America’s # 1 restaurant: Astrid Y Gastón Casa Moreyra in Lima, Peru.
Astrid y Gastón came in at #1 and D.O.M. at #2 at the initial edition of the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurant List, even though D.O.M. ranked considerably higher on the World’s Best list a few months ago. Comparing those restaurants is difficult. Pujol was at #3 and Central at #4. In my opinion any of those four restaurants could be #1 on any given day. With the top ten there was little argument – some might say one restaurant should up or down a spot or two – but the rest of the list was where there were some oddities.
The sixth edition of Latin America’s largest culinary festival, Mistura,will be held in Lima, Peru September 6-15. There’s a new beachfront location on the Costa Verde, a stellar lineup of invited chefs, and Gastón Acurio back on the planning team.
La Mar San Francisco chef Diego Oka has been named the executive chef of T’anta Chicago. Not so fast. With the closing of La Mar NYC (don’t worry, it is hopefully just moving) there has been a shift in the Acurio restaurant chain. Oka helped set up T’anta Chicago, which… Read More →
Gaston Acurio’s first New York restaurant, the 2 year old branch of La Mar Cebicheria, has closed. Don’t fret though. There’s already talk of moving the restaurant to another Manhattan location, possibly in Chelsea.
From Liguria to Callao, 100 years of flavor. El Viaje, or The Journey, is the title of the latest tasting menu at Lima restaurant Astrid & Gastón. Last year, the menu, La Naturaleza, was groundbreaking. The 17-courses were pleasantly poetic, moving seamlessly through the evolution of Peru’s culinary history, from… Read More →
Cuzco has always been a bit of a wild card in terms of restaurants. While quality products are there, few restaurants have really put them to good use and instead have tried to serve tourist friendly food. That’s beginning to change.
The upcoming year appears to be a big one for Gastón Acurio and his partners. They have an astounding 35 or so new restaurants under construction that will literally double the size of the brand and put the Peruvian culinary stamp on new terrain.
In 2012 several restaurants in Peru, Mexico, and Brazil inched their way up the World’s Best list and countless superb new restaurants opened. Last month I met with Noma founder Claus Meyer in Copenhagen and his words were “I think South America is the next continent.” He was talking about food and restaurants and the sheer amount of opportunity there for haute cuisine. There is much to look forward to…