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    Amaru

    4.7 (479 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Reviews With Photos

    Sope De Campo
    Andre W.

    The flavor that exists in this place should be against the law! Me and a friend came by last week for Restaurant week and I am so glad this was our destination. Decent sized place and I love the ambience especially the exposed brick and art work. We had Lourdes as our server and she was amazing...such a lovely person all around! I started with the Sope De Campo which is Braised chicken & rabbit with garlic parmesan and it was delicious! A really great starter...flavor oozing out of this dish. My friend is a plantain addict so we got a side of them and let me tell you, those were the best plantains I've had in my life...was that good!!! The came covered in queso fresco and cilantro...yum! Next I had the spanish octopus which came mixed in with kale, smoked paprika and white beans. My vision of it did not match the actual look of it, but it was pretty good. I decided on the Cuban Oxtail for my main entree and it was packed with crazy flavor as expected. Goat cheese, ravioli and roasted corn made this a fantastic dish. Would definitely come back for it. The dessert came as a chef's choice duo and included pastel de elote and chocolate tres leches. Both were amazing, but the pastel de elote took me by surprise. Its mexican corn cake that comes along with caramelized salted popcorn...woooo! I needs that again lol! Washed it down with the La Consentida which is a tequila cocktail with lime, hibiscus and orange curacao...very good drink. Lourdes gave us another wine like cocktail that was awesome to close our dining experience out. I believe it was mamajuana, a DR sangria. I loved my Amaru experience and plan to come back often! Great place for a date or outing with a friend or 2 and they have a decent bar area

    Brandy S.

    Amaru in Wicker Park Great Latin Flavors 7/10 Creative Cocktails 8/10 Attentive Service 10/10 Relaxed Vibes 10/10 Perfect spot for a date night or plate sharing with friends.

    Chocolate tart
    Dominique C.

    I came here for restaurant week and it ended up being my favorite of the 6 Restaurant Week meals I attended. The restaurant is dark but still cozy and I really liked the music they were playing. I dined alone and my server was very helpful. I was going to do the 4 courses but she said that it would be a lot of food and suggested I do the 3 course. I was going to a show after and didnt want to have to carry around leftovers. Even the 3 course meal ended up being a lot of food. I had the chicken and rabbit sope and it was my favorite thing I had the whole evening. It was very flavorful and came with a sauce that tasted very similar to a mole. The sauce was complex and delicious. For the mains I had the oxtail pasta. It was cheese stuffed pasta on top of a bed of oxtail meat. The meat was tender and I really liked the cheese in the pasta. Sometimes pasta filled with cheese can taste a bit bland but the pasta was very well seasoned. For dessert I had the chocolate tart which was good but tasted like a pretty standard restaurant dessert. I will definitely come back to this restaurant again.

    Corn dessert (complimentary birthday dessert)
    Kangni X.

    Came here for a birthday dinner. Got a bunch off the happy hour menu and a branzino. Felt full and satisfied by the end. The Guatemalan ribs were my favorite. Melt in the mouth tender and the sauce had a ton of flavor. The piononos reminded me of bacon wrapped dates but with more meat. A great balance of sweet and savory. The coconut fried rice was also a hit. Lots of crispy refreshing vegetables balancing the fluffy rice, I think it was snap peas. The branzino was actually de-spined and the meat was fully seasoned inside. Even without the sauce it was enough flavor. The fish was also super tender, perfectly cooked. The skin could be crispier but not sure if that's how this dish is usually made. The yuca fries were fluffy inside and crunchy outside. The dip was also plenty. The solterito was surprising. Lots of textures with the crispy quinoa, with soft garbonzo and lentils, with crunchy fresh cucumbers, and then the balance of fresh cheese vs sharp vinaigrette Not a huge fan of the shrimp chicharron. It felt over fried. Everything was cut into tiny cubes. Some inside were softer and tasted like shrimp. But then some pieces kind of seems like really hard yuca chunks but the menu didn't have yuca as an ingredient in the dish so not sure what the very dense cubes were. The coating was also an aioli that only added to the oiliness of the dish rather than cutting the fat and hard texture. I would have probably gone for the ceviche instead. They also offered a corn dessert (pastel de elote) when we told them we were celebrating a birthday. Corn in multiple ways - soft dense corn cake, caramel popcorn, a quenelle and a tart sauce (it tasted like and texture felt like pineapple but the menu says passion fruit emulsion so not sure). Had fun textures and balanced cream vs tart. Services was great. They checked in on us often. Cleared plates between rounds since the table was fairly small. Also wiped off the table often. Also heard the cocktails are great here and the bartender was super friendly. I don't drink so can't comment on that much though.

    Cuban Oxtail
    Natalie R.

    Every aspect of Amaru is perfection! This is a spot where you get every last sip of that drink and every morsel of food off the plate. The flavors are beyond incredible and I love the beautiful plating. Beyond plating, the entire space is gorgeous in itself--from impeccable lighting to fun wall decor. I will definitely be back, as the entire team was so welcoming, helpful, and attentive. I wish their happy hour was longer than 1 hour!

    Chocolate Tres Leches
    Scott N.

    Yet an another amazing meal and experience at Amaru. First, it seems everyone remembered us. That was very sweet and unexpected. And not just our faces, but our names! That in itself is amazing. It was great to see and talk with Itzel again. She stopped by often, but was not our server. Instead we had the pleasure of sharing the evening with Paola, who was an absolute delight. We tried a bunch of new dishes while repeating a few. The Piononos were outstanding, as expected. The Requeson was fantastic. Both of these dishes are so delicious they are hard to pass up... so we didn't. We tried the Yuca Frita. They were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The mojo verde sauce was quite tasty. This is a very good appetizer at a great price. We also tried the Crawfish Empanadas, which had a fishy flavor. Though I love seafood, I found this dish difficult to enjoy. This is not a dish we would order again. Mark had the Frita Cubana, which he enjoyed. David had Pernil. He thought the beans, rice and veggies on the plate were outstanding. He mentioned the pork's doneness was inconsistent, with some of it being a bit tough. That said, he shared a piece with me and it melted in my mouth; it was delicious. I had Mole y Leon, which was beautiful and super flavorful. The mole, a Mexican mole, was thick and spicy. Everything else on the plate matched perfectly with the mole. It was great, though I still remember and prefer the Pulpo Gallego. I hope the octopus dish remains on the menu forever. We ordered a ride to the airport and we mentioned Amaru to our driver. He knew about it and he took our discussion as a sign to make reservations soon. And we will come back as soon as we can!

    Oxtail and pork and chicken
    Emily T.

    Genuinely obsessed with this place ? We did a three course prix fix menu for Bridgette's birthday, but basically we got three apps, three mains and three desserts to try each. It was insane and so so good. For starters we had Yuca fries (best I've had in a while), quinoa bean salad & wrapped plantains (obsessed with these). For mains we had chicken skewers, coconut fried rice (insanely good and almost creamy), some pork dish and oxtail ravioli (the ravioli was insane and it was my first time trying oxtail!!! So flavorful). For dessert, we tried these corn bars (my favorite and served with Carmel corn!!), chocolate tres leches and some guava ish cheesecake. I also had a mojito which was fine. Mainly I was very impressed with the quality of the food, the serving sizes and how flavorful everything was. Would highly recommend if you are looking for nicer Latin food in the city or just a fun winter escape. It feels like summer inside. The service was fine and the atmosphere inside is tropic, but pretty small. Overall, a fun time and honestly worth the $70 price!

    Bar area
    Vicki N.

    Amaru is a hidden gem in Wicker Park with some of the friendliest service I have experienced! Stopped in on a Wednesday evening before a show at Den Theater with the beau for Happy Hour, and it wasn't busy at all. Amaru has a cozy, stylish vibe with amazing Latin American bites and cocktails. The menu isn't overwhelmingly large which is a good thing - and every dish feels carefully crafted and so well done, which is not surprising with a James Beard Award nominee (Chef Rodolfo Cuadros) at the helm. Highlights for me were the signature small plates that everyone raves about, and I see why: #1 Piononos - chorizo-stuffed plantains with bacon: This is a MUST - rich, smoky, and addictive. #2 Requesón - toasted sourdough with housemade Spanish cheese with tamarind + chili honey: Jammy, silky, and great balancing of not-too-sweet and savory. We also had the Ceviche del Dia (refreshing!) and the popular Oxtail Ravioli (comforting, unique, hearty - honestly probably my actual #2 favorite in the list of our choices). Also: excellent Mojito! Most dishes have a nice, light kick to them - but not too overbearing for someone that can't handle spiciness / heat (like me). Talking Value -- it's a bit pricey: A 20% gratuity is included on all checks, which feels fair given the quality of food and service. For the best deal, go during Happy Hour (Monday-Thursday 5-6 p.m., and Sunday 4-5 p.m.), when the drinks and several of the standout bites - including the Piononos and Requesón - are offered at a more affordable price. Amaru is great for couples, small groups, or anyone looking for a unique dining experience before a night out. Absolutely recommend.

    Sweet Plantains
    Tiffany A.

    Went here for a pre-show dinner and it did not disappoint! My husband and I shared the following: - Sweet Plantains - these were a fun twist with queso fresco and cilantro - a nice mix of sweet and savory - Andean Carrot Salad - this was fun too! I liked the thin beets on the bottom that were very acidic (in a good way) - the carrots were quite al dente. Very fresh, herbaceous and summery salad. - *Ceviche Del Dia - this was probably my least favorite thing based on the way they sliced the fish. I prefer ceviche cubed into smaller pieces, but these were bigger pieces of fish. The acid/sauce was nice and fresh, just not my favorite ceviche I've had. - Pollo Criollo - this was probably our favorite! The presentation was beautiful, the chicken had a really nice grilled flavor, and the potatoes were cooked really nicely.

    Sope de Campo & Ceviche del Dia
    Molly J.

    I came here with 2 friends on the first night of Chicago's Restaurant Week, and it *did not disappoint!* First, we loved our waitress Paola. She made it feel like we were just at a good friend's home and made some great recommendations. Per Paola, her favorite thing on the menu that night was the Sope de Campo, which had rabbit and chicken in it. We weren't initially going to order it, but her enthusiasm made us curious, so we ordered one and.. we devoured it. The other appetizer we had was the Ceviche Del Dia. It was fresh with great flavor- no complaints! I personally like having a chip or something to put my ceviche on, so I asked for a side of their fresh bread, and it was great on that-- the bread soaked up all of the good juices/sauces as well. My *FAVORITE* thing of the night was the Cuban Oxtail dish. I love to keep track of my favorite "bite" of the year, and this one might be hard to top. It was so full of so many different flavors including fresh crunchy greens, corn, different cheese, and of course.. the oxtail and all of the flavors that come with it. Over the oxtail/veggies was fresh goat cheese stuffed agnolotti. It was delish. We ended our night with a Mexican Chocolate Tart and it was the perfect bite to close the meal with. You could taste all of the different spices in it-- the chocolate crust was flavorful, the texture of the tart was spot on and then it had a homemade whipped cream and some type of berry sauce. My only rec: more of that berry sauce. It was also (to me) huge.. because of how rich it is. I could eat about 1/4 of it, so it was a nice treat to take home and enjoy the rest of the week.

    Allison G.

    Cozy vibes and tasty food! I had the mole y leon which was really good with the mushrooms and mole sauce. Would come back to try other dishes!

    Piononos
    Mark T.

    I could've sworn somewhere in someone's review somewhere, I said that this place beats Girl and the Goat! G&G being one of my all time favorite restaurants meant a visit to Amaru was all but guaranteed, especially when I was in Wicker Park. My experience was somewhat lackluster, and while I haven't been to G&G for a hot minute, there's no comparison. In a sentence: while the food dishes had creativity and fresh ingredients, the execution left something to be desired. I had the opportunity to eat the Piononos and the Ceviche of the Day. The Piononos were almost there. Other than the rustic feeling tomato sauce, I felt that the flavors were all-around muted. The chorizo didn't have punch to it, the gentle sweetness of the plantain only made itself known once, ditto for the and the salty savory fatty flavors of the bacon, Don't get me wrong. It was a fine dish, the flavors were just on vacation somewhere. Then there's the Ceviche of the Day. I felt as though this one kind of struggled with the opposite as it went a bit overboard on the salt. A little salt crunch is all good and fine on a nice thick juicy steak, but if something is as delicate as ceviche, I'm not sure it's as appropriate. I do want to give them some points for the very early flavors, and the refreshing nature of the salad underneath the fish. White barramundi is a unique choice, and it works great! Other than one that was a bit chewy, it was a delightful way to experience something new. The vibe in here is unique: relaxed and free spirited. It's like that ceviche, it's not something you see in an every day restaurant, but it just works. Now let's talk service: while the food came out fast and fresh, the service itself, especially early in the experience was slow to even acknowledge my existence. I don't ask for much, just a welcome and a glass of water. The slowness continued when it came time to take the order... I will give the bar-server a pass for being busy with drinks, but there were two or three other people just standing around talking, laughing, joking amongst themselves. At this point, I take a heavy sigh and I address the elephant in the room, this restaurant has a mandatory 20% service charge added to all checks. I am grateful that they are upfront about it and don't put somewhere in the fine print that "oh by the way we're gonna hit you with a 3.5% surcharge" like so many places in Chicago do. I'm off for a restaurant staff being paid a fair wage, but at that point just raise your dang prices. That's all I'm gonna say about that before I start waxing poetic and devolving into a rant. Thus, while Amaru has some good things going for it, my experience was underwhelming. Muted flavors in one, too much salt in another, and service that was too slow to start. While their menu changes often, and I'm not against returning if I see something really interesting, I don't feel any kind of pull to come back otherwise.

    Inside
    Jenn C.

    Amazing food full of flavor and cooked to perfection. The drinks were delicious too! Our server Paula was so friendly and fun. She had great energy and made the night more special for our group.

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    Ask the Community - Amaru

    Does Amaru have a happy hour menu?

    Yes! They have an awesome Happy Hour Menu!! One of my favorites. It's listed on their website. Try the capirinha!!!

    Is there a parking?

    There is street parking. Finding a spot is hit or miss.

    How are the bathrooms?

    Clean!

    Do they have non-meat options?

    Few, but the chef owns a WONDERFUL vegan/vegetarian restaurant just 3 blocks away called Bloom. And it is fantastic!!

    Do they have gluten free options for celiacs?

    Yes, almost the entire menu is gluten free

    View All 6 Questions

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    Clara - E Major

    Clara

    4.7(31 reviews)
    0.2 miWicker Park, West Town

    This place knows what's up! It's beautiful, easy to get to, their service is always phenomenal and…read moretheir drinks are delicious. Their snacks are totally worth getting, and the staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. Every time I've asked for a recommendation, they do not disappoint! It's become a regular spot for a night out with the gals. PS - Their live music is so good!

    Cute-enough spot with small plates and cocktails. However, when we visited last night, we waited 15…read moreminutes for our one wine and one cocktail, despite the restaurant being less than a quarter full. We watched our waitress make multiple attempts to pick up my husband's drink from the bar, spill, set it down, pick it back up and spill more, and finally give up and run it to us. As she set down this sticky, wet, under-filled mess, I asked her exactly how much of my husband's $16 cocktail she had just spilled. She said, "Yeah, the bartender over-poured," and walked off. We then watched her do the exact same thing to every mixed drink she ran. Way, way too expensive to be delivering messy, dripping, quarter-empty cocktails. Skip Clara and go to Le Midi, where the service, ambience, and wine list were perfect.

    Photos
    Clara - The drummer and bassist of Solomon lindenberg trio

    The drummer and bassist of Solomon lindenberg trio

    Clara - Two Smooth Sailing cocktails. Featuring Whiskey, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup, and Benedictine.

    Two Smooth Sailing cocktails. Featuring Whiskey, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup, and Benedictine.

    Clara - Festive Lion -- mezcal, tequila, grapefruit syrup, and cardamom bitters.

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    Festive Lion -- mezcal, tequila, grapefruit syrup, and cardamom bitters.

    Bisous - interior

    Bisous

    4.3(117 reviews)
    2.0 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

    The Chicago food tour commences... First stop, drinks at Bisous! This cocktail bar was listed no…read more 39 on the top 50 bars in North America for 2025. It was no wonder when we arrived that there was a line out the door. We waited around 45 minutes, and the bouncer was a really nice fellow who kept track of the numbers and people at the door. Upon entering, we were immersed in a dimly lit retro-style lounge. It was quite loud inside and packed as we walked to our seats. The server was great at taking our orders and offering suggestions. I opted for the French 75, which featured sparkling wine and mixed gin, brandies, and citrus. The drink was delicious, but STRONG. I don't know what they put in the cocktails in America, but I am always finished after one drink. Needless to say, we were all struggling to finish our own drinks. My favourite touch was the coasters, I ended up keeping all of them so that I can reuse them at my galentines event next year. The 'bisous' with the kiss on the other side is a perfect touch! I think the drinks are fairly priced for USD. I would love to return someday to try other drinks and bar bites, and also try their sister bar, Sparrow.

    My boyfriend and I were visiting Chicago (from Las Vegas) 2 weeks ago, and were very excited to…read morecheck out Bisous, as it looked nice inside and had good reviews. Imagine my shock when we didn't even make it past the bouncer because he was so rude, AS OTHER RECENT REVIEWS HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL! We had dinner nearby and walked to Bisous after, and saw there was a line of 5 or 6 people outside. We expected this as we knew Bisous is a first come, first serve bar. We were curious what the wait time would look like, so we approached the front door to ask a host or employee inside (we assumed there'd be a desk with an employee working it who could give us a wait time). We had no problem waiting, just wanted to see how long they estimated it would be! Before we could even fully open the door, the bouncer swung the door open from the other side and hit me with the door. I stumbled back a few steps and he looked at us and said, and I quote, "What do you want?". I laughed at first because I thought he was joking and putting on a tough guy act. He was not. We quickly explained we just wanted to see what the wait time was, and he said "don't you see there's a line outside?" We said yes, and explained we just wanted to know a rough estimated wait time. He just blankly stared at us while ushering us out. Both my boyfriend and I have worked in customer-service roles for a very, very long time. This encounter was not only extremely rude and unprofessional, but he also hit me hard enough with the door to send me stumbling back, and then said nothing about it and continued to address us in a tone that was nothing less than annoyed and irritated. We didn't end up going inside because that encounter left such a bad taste in our mouths. I don't believe in spending my money at establishments that don't treat their customers with the bare minimum respect they deserve! Bummed we didn't get to experience it, as I'm sure it was lovely inside and I can only hope the rest of the employees were much more kind and accommodating, or at least able to answer a simple question. Fire your "bouncer" (??) and hire someone with some basic customer service and communication skills!!

    Photos
    Bisous - Interior bar

    Interior bar

    Bisous - Inside

    Inside

    Bisous - Interior

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    Interior

    Le Mistral - Inside the building - Le mistral is all the way down on the right side

    Le Mistral

    4.8(13 reviews)
    2.2 miLincoln Park

    The service is just incredible. That's what stands out the most. We came after having a superb…read moredinner at S.K.Y. and out waitress transferred us to Le Mistral for dessert as we were hoping to end the night with another cocktail. The transition was seamless, the walk through the kitchen was very cool, everyone was very friendly and excited to see guests. Our dessert came quickly to Le Mistral instead of S.K.Y. and was superb. Our waiter at Le Mistral was very friendly, gave some good advice on the cocktails, and was consistently attentive. My cocktail was just OK - sherry-based martini. I don't normally like a martini but all the ingredients actually seemed very much up my alley - the sherry, benedictine, rose vermouth. But the olive just overpowered. And definitely not worth the price of $24... Would definitely return and try the food next time as well.

    We popped in on a Monday night for a nightcap after finishing up at Mon Ami Gabi across the lobby…read more Our experience was meh. I don't know if every Monday is Metal night, but it was that Monday - Black Sabbath, Nu-Metal, everything but the live goldfish. Perhaps they should advertise "Monday Metal at Mistral" if that is to be a regular thing. It does flow off the tongue. To be fair, there was a full house and the other patrons did not seem to mind. We were not looking to feel the noize, however, and so stayed for just one cocktail. Mine was a Sazerac adjacent mix, and it was very high quality. The decor is very low light, but the vibe is pretty basic - more Paint Your Dorm Room black than Parisian Opium Den black. A bit of a missed opportunity for romance.

    Photos
    Le Mistral
    Le Mistral
    Le Mistral - Inside

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    Inside

    Valedor - Bar area

    Valedor

    4.5(85 reviews)
    0.2 miWicker Park, West Town

    Happy hour daily 5-7pm to seat at the bar…read more Reservations are for the tables Happy Hour menus- food for $8 Tuna poke taco $13- salmon is soft. The taco shell is nice and crisp. Al Pastor Gyoza $12- good flavor on the meat. The Gyoza could be more crispy. Quesabirtia roll $12- great flavor. It comes with mole sauce that I would skip. Chicken and Mushroom karaagr $14- actually very good. Good portions. Crispy chicken and mushroom. Nice side dipping sauce. Crispy rice- very disappointing. It is not crispy. Drinks- happy hour $12 drinks. Tamarind sour $16- decent sour. Nice mix. Mano de sol $16- excellent flavor, blood orange, tequila We love lychee $16- great flavor with lychee. Midnight espresso $16: pretty good coffee flavor. Sakreita $15- strawberry- prob bed drink I had. Served in an aluminum can. Pretty cool

    I was lowkey nervous about writing this review because I know this place is already popular... and…read morepart of me wants to keep it a secret. But Valedor is easily a 10/10. From the moment you walk in, everything just clicks -- the atmosphere, the door host, the staff, and the overall level of service. It's one of those places where you can tell the team takes pride in the experience they create. What I really like is how versatile the space feels. It works for a birthday celebration, dinner date, or even an after-work happy hour. No matter the occasion, it fits. If you're thinking about checking it out, make the trip. You won't regret it.

    Photos
    Valedor - Strip Steak Katsu Sandwich

    Strip Steak Katsu Sandwich

    Valedor - Crispy Cilantro Lime Rice with spicy salmon

    Crispy Cilantro Lime Rice with spicy salmon

    Valedor - We love lychee cocktail

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    We love lychee cocktail

    Truce - The cocktails are legit

    Truce

    4.8(51 reviews)
    0.4 miBucktown

    Wow, Truce is my ideal concept of a space. It's a coffeeshop by day and cocktail bar by night. I…read morecame in during the day on a Thursday to get some work done, and it was such a cool environment. The ambiance is dark and moody inside, but I liked the music they had playing, and there was plenty of seating. They also had free Wi-Fi and outlets! Everything on their menu looked insanely good. I went with the B-A-N-A-N-A-S--it was very tasty, and the banana taste was very strong. It was definitely on the sweeter side so more of a dessert drink, but I enjoyed it. Everything on their menu looked so delicious and well thought out, so I definitely hope to try their other drinks! The service was very fast and friendly. I recommend this spot--will need to be back to try out their drinks in the future! FYI, they become 21+ after 5pm.

    Came here after hearing and reading great things. The drinks were good and very spirit-forward. We…read moretried the in full bloom, peas + carrots, and uma off their spring 2026 menu. We also tried the mango no. 5 off the classics menu. My favorite was the mango no. 5--it was very smooth with a hint of spiciness. We sat in the corner at the bar behind the coffee machine, which was nice because it felt somewhat private. Bartenders tended to leave us alone and not really check on us unless we made direct eye contact with them. The vibe inside felt cozy and intimate, with very low lighting and a few couches to sit. We wanted to try the "cosmic brownie" I read reviews about, but unfortunately they no longer have it. I was excited to hear they are planning to bring it back sometime soon though. Don't know if I'd go out of my way to come back here again, but maybe if I'm in the area and want to check out a new seasonal menu. I'd also consider coming during the day for coffee.

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    Truce - Cortado

    Cortado

    Truce - Truce mix and cocktails

    Truce mix and cocktails

    Truce

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    Amaru - latin - Updated May 2026

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