We visit Pachamama, a Peruvian restaurant with British influences in Marylebone.
You could easily miss the entrance to Pachamama, but look out for the big ‘A’ sign outside, and head down the stairs to a room that could only be described as shabby chic.
Think tiled flooring, wooden tables and mismatched chairs with mirrors of varying shapes and sizes hanging on the walls next to black and white photos of Peru.
The design screams ‘cool’, as does the gorgeous bar area where you could easily spend the whole evening with many Papa’s Piscos (or Mama’s one for that matter).
We visited on a Thursday, which I know is the countdown to the weekend, but the music was just a little too loud. When you can’t hear your guests or your own thoughts, it’s surely time to turn the volume down?
The menu is described as Peruvian-British, which hints at Peruvian flavours with British ingredients, but is, in fact, rather eclectic, and successfully so.
I have to admit that I love a ceviche dish to be almost overpowered by the acidity of Tiger’s Milk, but appreciate that I may be alone on that.
Here, the Tiger’s Milk complements the fish beautifully, and my favourite, the Cornish sea bass with samphire and Tiger’s Milks ends up being a powerful but elegant dish.
From the ‘Sea’ menu you could also choose yellowtail tuna with soy and pickled potato or sea bream tiradito with crema de aji and coriander.
A highlight for me over a couple of visits to Pachamama was the spiced spare ribs, where the intense smokiness along with the peanut glaze was heavenly.
Pachamama also specializes in anticuchos – char-grilled skewers essentially – choose from the chicken anticuchos with corn, octopus with black garlic and aji or the ox heart anticuchos.
I have really enjoyed each visit to Pachamama – good cocktails, nice flavours, vibrant colours and, all in all, a thoroughly good time. Pachamama is now open for lunch serving a smaller a la carte menu at reduced prices – a perfect reason to visit at lunch!
For other Marylebone restaurants, read our review of Chiltern Firehouse and The Cavendish. Sign up to The Journal here.
