Had a fun date with my fiancé walking around West Hartford and shopping. We got hungry and were looking for a place to eat. We saw many restaurants we chose this one. We actually didn't know anything about and what they served. Inside was beautifully decorated and we were seated quickly. We looked at the menu and saw they served Peruvian food. We never had it. We started with the trio empanadas and each one was delicious. If I had to choose one I pick the chicken as the top empanada. I didn't know what to order for the entree and the waiter recommended the Seco De Tría and Lomo Saltado. One was a short rib and the other was a beef stir fry. Both were very delicious! The waiter was very attentive and friendly. I would definitely come back here again. read more

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Cute interior but...Awful. Took forever to get table side service and when server finally came to table, took for-ever for drinks and food to be served. Corn nuts for an appetizer?? Seafood entrees are piled with rice and not much seafood. Prices are ridiculous for the kind of food that they're serving. No, I don't recommend this place at this time. Hopefully they'll get it together. read more

This is one of our favorite restaurants because the food is always delicious. However, I need to express my concern about the quality of the service during our visit yesterday. Our server was very respectful and polite but very slow and not attentive at all. We went early (around 5:30 pm) and they were not busy at all. We wanted salt and lemon. Since our server was nowhere to be found, we asked the host. He said he'd bring those two things himself but minutes later I saw him cleaning a table. Some time went by, we reminded him about the salt and the lemon; he said he thought our server had taken care of that. Eventually, the host brought those two things to us. By that time, we had almost finished our meals. Diners started coming in and our server proceeded to take their orders. At least we could see him around. If that one server was so slow when there were just 4 or 6 customers, I don't know how he could handle any more. The host was also very polite and friendly. We've been to this restaurant several times before and had always been pleased with the quality of the service. Yesterday's situation took us by surprise. I hope management takes steps to improve the service. Their food continues to be excellent. read more

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I stopped by Cora Cora for a quick appetizer before an event, and I was definitely not disappointed. I ordered the empanadas, two beef and one cheese and guava. The beef empanadas were flavorful and satisfying, while the cheese and guava had more of a sweet, dessert-like vibe, which was a nice surprise. Both were delicious in their own way. I also loved the roasted corn they serve at the table. It is such a great touch. The dipping sauce had a nice little kick to it that added extra flavor without being overwhelming. The space itself is beautifully decorated, creating a really inviting atmosphere, and they even have a drive through, which is super convenient. On top of it all, the service was excellent. I would definitely come back, even if it is just for a quick bite again! read more

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Coracora has a great vibe with great tasting Peruvian cuisine. The service was great even though it was a busy Friday evening. I started with the empanadas one of each and I was a little skeptical about the powdered sugar however it works surprisingly. Each empanada was delicious and you can't go wrong with any one. I ordered the lomo saltado and it was cooked perfectly. The only thing I was missing was the green sauce that other Peruvian restaurant I've been to serve. This might have been on me for not requesting the sauce. My wife ordered the arroz chaufa with shrimp and you could taste all the seasonings in the fried rice. The drinks were amazing as well and they didn't hold back on the pours . I will definitely be returning and I will definitely try their other location in West Hartford as well. read more

Coracora Original - Lomo Saltado - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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I have not been to Coracora in years. I did not know it was renovated a little bit. Before they use to have booths, and now there's table set up, there's a photo opp with a backdrops with llama. I felt like I was in Peru or felt super authentic. So happy my friend suggested this place, because it was def worth it. We arrived before 530pm and it was happy hour. All drinks for $10 and regular price was between $14-16. The server told us his favorites and we decided the first round to get Pina colada, Inca Azteca, and la patrona. We decided to mix the Inca azteca and la patrona to see how it would taste; that combo was very delicious. I couldn't believe how good the drinks were here. You set your moneys worth for sure! The second around of drinks we ordered Inca azteca, la patrona, and the patrona mojito. Again? Did not fail us and I enjoyed the mojito as well. We got the fried calamari and Le Tigre ceviche for apps. Very impressed with the quality of food here. I wish they gave more plantain chips for the ceviche. Other than that the Tigre milk they make for the ceviche had enough sour taste to it; which I love! Would def order again 10/10! For the entree we decided to share between four girls. We got the red snapper fish and the chuafa w pork belly. The flavor of the dish was delicious. They did not have the typical green sauce I usually get in a Peruvian restaurant for the chuafa, but it's ok the flavor was good and didn't need sauce. The red snapper, pickled red onions were delicious. I prob could do without the yuca fries, but it was a meal out together. Dessert they gave us a a chocolate cake for my friends bday and we ordered churros. We thought the fried churros would have sugar cinnamon coat. It didn't just a Carmel drizzle. I would pass on this as well. The server suggested Tres leche, we should have just listen to his recommendations. Would come back to try! read more

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We rang in the New Year at CoraCora in West Hartford, and it couldn't have been a better choice. The moment you walk in, you're struck by the chic, vibrant ambiance--it's stylish without feeling pretentious, and the energy of the place makes it perfect for a celebration or a special night out. The drink menu was impressive, offering creative options that balanced flavor beautifully. My cocktail was mixed to perfection--smooth, refreshing, and thoughtfully made. For dinner, we enjoyed the Chicken chaufa and the Arroz con Pato (duck) which was everything you'd expect from authentic Peruvian comfort food--flavorful, satisfying, and clearly cooked with care. The New Year's celebration itself was wonderfully organized. The staff went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt welcome and taken care of, maintaining that warm, professional touch all evening. Overall, Cora Cora delivered on every front: great food, flawless drinks, and impeccable service in a stylish setting. It's easily one of West Hartford's gems. read more

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The food was incredible. The cocktails were amazing. The service was unmatched. We've been talking about going here for years and just never did for whatever reason. I'm so sad that we waited this long to try it as it was truly top notch. We let our server guide us as to what he suggested for selections. He was on point. We had the chicken wing special. We were all blown away. The ceviche was mind blowing. The decor was interesting but added to the charm I guess. What mattered most was the absolutely delicious food, excellent cocktails and fantastic service. We all enjoyed everything so much and can't wait to go back. read more

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Great food! Great staff and environment. Easy parking around downtown and great place for a happy hour or dinner.

Uniquely delicious Connecticut gem! CoraCora is easily one of the best restaurants we've tried in Connecticut. The seafood is extremely fresh and the flavors are delicious, authentic, and vibrant. Our favorite menu items of the night were the virgin piña colada, causachun cora, and the guava and cheese empanadas. All of these items would have easily filled up 2 people, however our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. We ordered two additional entrees: Arroz con mariscos and ceviche caliente! Both were delicious, but the seafood dish (arroz con mariscos) shone extra bright What a delightful experience! We look forward to many more evenings enjoying fresh and flavorful ceviche here. read more

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This is one of my fave restaurants to come to! The food is fantastic. My fave is the ceviche with fish. I also really like the corn amuse-bouche with the spicy sauce. I tried the ceviche with mixed seafood too, but preferred the "all fish" option. Service is always fast and friendly. Ambiance is causal and heavily decorated. Love the decor and the Peruvian culture that is here. If you're in the area and looking for a treat, this would be a great place to come. Decently priced as well! I continue to come here and don't plan on stopping any time soon. read more

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Ignore the sour review from Melly M about "John Francisco" Our server, JEAN FRANCO, was one of the most attentive, friendly, and welcoming waitstaff I've had the pleasure of dining with in a long time. I accidentally forgot it was Saturday and asked about the weekday lunch special, and he very patiently and kindly pointed out to me that it was only for Monday-Friday 12-4p (but he still brought me a lunch special menu so I could see what it was about!) He made lovely suggestions (try the chicha morada for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage), showed us how to enjoy the complimentary choclo con queso (corn and cheese) appetizer, and was absolutely excellent the entire meal. My friend got the chaufa Amazonico, said the chicharrones were perfection. I tried the aji de gallinas because it's not something I've seen before: a pecan and bread-thickened sauce. Food was a tiny bit salty but not in a way that made it less enjoyable. The ice cream flavors were definitely something I don't see often in the U.S.: cherimoya and lucuma! Beautiful presentation, unique flavors. The food was great, the vibes were great, it was a good time all around. Edit: Added a pic of the lunch special menu in case anyone is interested read more

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I've enjoyed this place before they were winning awards. I've probably eaten here a dozen times and ordered takeout twice. It's about 45min drive from home. This visit was unfortunately wasn't enjoyable. The two sides we ordered were cold on the inside and came with NO dipping sauce. Our waiter was horrible AF. He was a rude tyrant. His English was difficult to understand so we spoke in our first language which is Spanish this asshat looked dead at us and said "I speaka English" you sure don't speak English Sir. We were trying to be helpful. Anyways his name was something like John Francisco. I would suggest you avoid this waiter. Two stars this time for the drinks and joyful interior. read more

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Ordered the fried yucca with mozzarella, jalea mixta, leche de tigre shots, and parihuela. Everything was delicious. the yucca was soft and mozzarella was warm with a classic pull. The Jalea mixta was delicious, definitely recommend pouring the leche de tigre shots onto it for the acidity. Parihuela was also yummy. Service was good. The sever was knowledgeable and helpful. We did ask for ají amarillo that never showed up but besides that everything was good. The restaurant is super pretty inside, love the ceiling decor. Definitely worth going again. read more

5/5 Such a great Peruvian authentic restaurant. First off the service was phenomenal, our server Jeremy was so attentive and kind! The food was hands down delicious, the ceviche was delicious and it was my first time trying it! Their paella was delicious and the fried shrimp that also came with my dish was savory. All our dishes served were very good. Our appetizer the causa rellena was very delicious and different! You definitely pay for what you get here so it is on the higher side of restaurant prices. Their drinks were so tasty and the presentation of them were spectacular. We loved the interior decorations as well and it is great to take group photos! Great experience 5/5! read more

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Such a fun restaurant vibe, friendly service and delicious food! We came on a Sunday night and even then it was still busy which is a good sign. The whole place is decked out with lots of colors and decor. Our favorite part was being greeted by two llamas right when you enter! I got a pisco sour, the yucca rellena and the leche de tigre. The pisco sour was perfectly made with just the right amount of tang and creaminess from the egg white. The yucca rellena was like an adult mozzarella stick! Not as crispy but more creamy and not as firm as other yucca fries I've tried. The leche de tigre is a ceviche with barramundi and shrimp. The portion on the ceviche is huge!! The flavors were so good and with a good amount of texture from the onions and choclo (corn). Service was very friendly and entertaining, albeit a little slow but I had great company so it didn't feel as bad. read more

Coracora Original - Leche de tigre (barramundi and shrimp) - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Oh we always recommend Cora Cora. The ceviche -- and everything else -- is always so good! I want the ceviche every day.

From the Pisco Sours to the ice cream and churros boat and everything in between we delighted in amazing tastes we would never be able to replicate at home. Fantastic food, service and a true sense of pride shines in every dish. Only 20 minutes from BDL and on the way south toward New Haven and points north or south. You will not be disappointed in this Peruvian stopover. read more

Coracora Original - Festive atmosphere! - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

We were out in the Hartford area, and I wanted to try Cora Cora. I saw it won CRAZIES best restaurant a couple years ago and it's been nominated by the James Beard House. A lot of Yelpers have written reviews as well. This set me up to believe I would be eating award winning food with award winning service, ambiance and overall, the restaurant should have an award winning vibe. I did NOT feel that way. It's not particularly cozy or inviting. The restaurant was highly decorated with holiday decor, and had a beautiful nativity scene...but the restaurant is a remodeled fast food spot and it just has that vibe. I do see they tried with murals and trendy stuff, but it misses the mark. I've been to better spots around town. The menu is inviting with several authentic dishes. We LOVE Peruvian food. As a chef myself, I've worked with Peruvian chefs and our family meals were filled with love. Our dishes here were good, but award winning? Not necessarily. The beef was dry... the seafood smothered in a rich sauce that made it hard to taste each type. Although everything was good, it felt like it was missing the secret to award winning dish ... love. An orchid doesn't make a dish spectacular...the cooking technique does... and it reflected in our ok dishes tonight. I really had very high hopes and the experience fell short. With very high prices and the odd vibe, it's a one and done with me. read more

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We had not been to Cora in several months, The find that the service is always prompt and courteous. However, we were very disappointed by how much the Menu options have been reduced. No 'papas a la huancaina', no 'cause rellena' which are staples for most Peruvians. I would also prefer if the 'empanadas de carne' were filled with ground sirloin instead of sliced sirloin, which is how we typically eat them in Peru. read more

We always have to come to Coracora when we're in Hartford. This is one of the best Peruvian restaurants we've found in all of CT. Every menu item can be trusted to be delicious. There is no guesswork needed. The chicken causa is a nice, light start with a excellent tang from the lime juice. The aji de gallina is my favorite dish. It's extremely accessible for people new to Peruvian food who want to try an authentic dish. It's a creamy, flavorful shredded chicken dish served with rice. I also tried the cevice caliente which is a combination of duck, beans, yuca fries, slivered onions and sauce. The flavor is a bit more unique, but it really grew on me the more I ate it. The service is always very professional and prompt. Regardless of whether you love Peruvian food or never had it, you should try Coracora if you're ever in the area. read more

Coracora Original - Causa - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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ORIGIN: Hector Ludena and Luisa Jimenez, husband and wife, opened the restaurant in 2011, and named it after their Peruvian hometown. It remains family-run and owned, with their daughter, Macarena, serving as chef. Another daughter, Grecia, supports the successful operation of the restaurant as well. CONCEPT: Coracora serves Peruvian cuisine, and does so in a way that is evocative of the flower blossoms that decorate the interior. The sisters have remarked that they view themselves as Peruvian ambassadors, educating Connecticut residents and visitors about Peruvian cuisine. LOCATION: The restaurant is located in the vicinity of a strip mall (Shield Street Plaza), just off New Britain Avenue, providing easy parking. The restaurant itself is a stand-alone building that shows some evidence of its history as a circa 1970s McDonald's. EXPERIENCE: I first encountered Coracora as a catered outdoor dinner event, and ever since return to two favorite dishes that travel well and reflect the impressive execution that has garnered the restaurant and chef James Beard Foundation award recognition: fish ceviche ($22) and Inca salad ($12). The fish ceviche is composed of barramundi fish that has been marinated in "classic tiger's milk" -- lime juice, aji limo (a type of South American pepper), onion, salt, and pepper. Choclo (large kernels of Peruvian corn), as well as cubes of potato, are added, providing a texture and flavor contrast to the succulent fish. The quintessential Peruvian dish is topped with decorative orange-hued rosettes of mashed sweet potato, reflecting Chef Macarena Ludena's creative and feminine touch. The Inca salad highlights a grain that is indigenous to Peru -- quinoa -- and elevates it's preparation, nutritional punch, and appearance with the addition of tomato, peas, asparagus, corn, and carrots. The mixture is dressed with lime juice and olive oil, as well as slices of avocado. At the outdoor catered dinner, Chef Ludena adorned small rounds of the salad with flowers composed of thin avocado slices. TIPS: Takeout can be arranged by linking "online order" on the restaurant website, and takes around twenty minutes. Be sure to look out for a discount code. At times the restaurant has activated the McDonald's drive-through window, adding a bit of whimsy and nostalgia to pick up. Inca Kola, a sulphur yellow soda that has a Bazooka bubble gum-like flavor, and Pisco sours are among the unique beverages that can be experienced at Coracora. read more

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Listen, I want to love this place. On paper it should be great and honestly I'll still visit occasionally but here's the issue: it's a restaurant built on an old McDonald's foundation, charging fine dining prices. Walking in they have nice decorations but then the old mcd tile. Bathrooms still look like fast food bathrooms. Everything is in need of a remodel but they've chosen to throw some nice decorations around hoping you won't notice. But it's very noticeable. Especially when you're paying so much for food and drinks. Now if the prices were a lot lower I would be able to over look the aesthetics and enjoy it for what it is but I can't. The food is great. The service is great. The drinks are fun and delicious. But at the end of the day I shouldn't be paying well over $100 for two people for "comfort food" at an old McDonald's. read more

Coracora Original - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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The food was amazing! This is my favorite go-to Peruvian restaurant. My favorites are the ceviche and the yuca fries. Jeremy, our server, is knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to go above and beyond. He explained every dish and suggested food items that my family and I enjoyed. Thank you, Jeremy; your dedication is the gold standard. The ambiance is beautiful, and we love the bright colors. We will be back soon! read more

Coracora Original - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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We all really loved the food. Now, the presentation doesn't do this place justice. My mom reallyyyyy lived the chicken salad. She said the chicken was delicious for her to return and buy on its own. To me it looked like regular baked chicken but apparently there's something magical going on. Same thing with my friends salmon. Looked dry to me but she said it was super moist and delicious. I had the ceviche in the glass which also doesn't look as visually appealing but packs a ton of flavor. This you may want to share. Keep in mind the ceviche is cold and the fried calamari is hot. I thought it was. Perfect combo for me to dip the Calamari in it. I really enjoyed. As for ambiance, they do their best to have some instagrammable backgrounds which are cute but overall it's a pretty cheap looking fascade. Cool though! read more

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Very good food. Service was not great. Sat us then still 40 min later there were no drinks. I had to go find someone to ask where our server was. In that 40 minutes, our party of 8 would've loved some cocktails while we were chatting. Eventually it did get better but not super interested to go back due to service. read more

I have been wanting to come to CoraCora for a few years now. For our entrees we got the, ARROZ NORTENO: Northern Peruvian-style cilantro rice. Mixed seafood, rice, green peas, red bell peppers, choclo; seasoned with a cilantro and Aji Amarillo base, topped with red onion salad. CHAUFA Peruvian-style fried rice mixed with scallions, red bell peppers, chopped egg; all sauteed in wok with soy sauce and black tiger shrimp. They have happy hour, so we had to have some drinks and appetizers! For apps we got the Empanadas, Yuca Rellena, Rumba Chalaca and Tequenos which were delicious! This was one of the best Paellas I have ever had. The seafood was fresh, I loved the cilantro rice and the veggies added a freshness to the dish. I loved every bite! We did get dessert, and I love churros so I was very pleased with this sweet treat. And they surprised me with a chocolate cake for my birthday!! They made me feel very special! I would recommend CoraCora to anyone in the West Hartford area. The food was delicious, the services is great and you can tell the chefs put a lot of love into their food!! read more

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Wow! The decorations, atmosphere, food, service! Top tier. This was so good. I got a paella and it was so amazing. read more

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Went back to Coracora after almost 5 years and we loved it. The revamped menu is great. We got seated in the heated and covered patio. Our waitress, Gracelia, was great and she recommended that we try the appetizer sampler and it was a great choice where we were able to try five of the famous apps. The plates had a elevated look and the taste of everything that we ordered was great. The Jalea mixta and the seafood ceviche were packed with flavors. Our waitress also recommended that we try the churros that was served with three flavors of ice creams and that did seal the deal with our dinner. Very happy with the visit and I am coming back soon. p.s: make sure you make reservations. read more

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Cora Cora was my go to Peruvian food place. But tonight they dropped the ball or there standards have gone down. The rotisserie chicken lacked flavor and this review is mainly for the chicken chafa. It was 30 for some chicken , with lack luster rice in a Chinese food container. THATS OBSURD. I'm a foodie and will gladly pay good money for delicious food. But when I have to pay 30 for something I could have a. Made at home b. Was so small for the price. We ate it cus we're not letting 30$ in a single menu item go to waste. The container for reference. Crazy!!!! read more

Coracora Original - The chicken chafa container ( for reference) is a standard Chinese food takeout container. Not worth 30$. - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Their ceviche + seafood dishes were amazing! Their aji de gallina will not disappoint either. A traditional Peruvian dish, it is not spicy at all but so flavorful so definitely worth trying it. This peruvian restaurant will not disappoint you. Did I mention they were semifinalists for a James Beard Award? Cora Cora is a great Peruvian place to give a try while visiting West Hartford. They have ample parking and the service was great! read more

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What a wonderful place starting with great staff and wonderful food. We decided to try this place because we saw it was up as a James Beard nominee for 2023. It did not disappoint at all. The food and drinks were amazing and correct when it came out of the kitchen. The food takes a minute because they get it correct. I can appreciate that because everything is made fresh to order. Make a reservation or you will be waiting to get inside. We had a reservation and when right inside when we arrived. Hope they win the James Beard award for 2023 because they would deserve it. Go check it out and see for yourself. Enjoy!!! read more

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Second time there and I was wow again, people are professional always & nice, love the decorating place & big bathroom well ventilated. The food super delicious and drinks too. I tried two different dishes of the whole fish and super both times. The patrona drink súper and tres leches delicious. read more

Coracora Original - Fish, scallops and calamari with delicious sweet sauce and rice - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

My boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's Day!!! He's Peruvian and always raves about the food... (I think we got takeout from here for our first date) & anyway it is/was delicious!!!!! My family has this place on our list!! Definitely will be coming back very soon!!!!! :) read more

Coracora Original - Latin American Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Cora Cora is the best Peruvian restaurant! Between the hospitality and the quality of service (shoutout to Jeremy!) you're guaranteed to have a great experience. Wonderful attention to detail with their drink and food menu. My favorite is their pollo saltado- excellent every time! The ambiance is festive and fun. There is even a spot to take a picture with stuffed Peruvian llamas. We've never had a miss there - they are constantly on point! read more

Our server was so sweet and helpful, she suggested the quinoa stew as a side and it was delicious. The empanadas had almost a sweet dough and so good, the guava ones were like a dessert and the savory ones had great flavor too, none of them were dry. The decorations are adorable as well. read more

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Once a fan always a fan! While I miss the lower prices they food is always better each time I visit!

Food was great. But no one picked up at 5pm when I called to reserve. Then at 5:30om when I arrived they put us on a freezing outdoor patio. No one inside though at the indoor tables. 4 of us ordered 5 dishes, drinks and dessert. Everything tasted great but no TLC. read more

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A lovely night at Coracora! This place is quite unassuming at first glance, built in a remodeled fast food restaurant (with the drive through still intact) it's one of the most unique fine dining experiences I've been to in terms of ambience. They had all the Peruvian classics, and since I was in a big party, I thankfully got to try a lot of the menu! Some of my favorites were the ceviche, the tallarines verdes, and the rotisserie chicken. Some of the dishes were a little on the saltier side like the Aji de Gallina, which I didn't love but overall still had nice flavors. Excellent attentive service. VERY fast with bringing food out. read more

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Quite simply, one of the best restaurants in the state. Since rediscovering this place a while back, we dream of coming back here from time to time. It's the real deal with expertly done dishes with Peruvian flare. Judging by the crowds that it earns, others know its secrets. There are so many good dishes that we've had its hard to pick favorites. But here are our standouts. For starters, brasa tequenos - wontons filled with chicken and cheese. Do NOT miss the macho sauce that you can get with it. It's ridiculously good. We love the empanadas too though Choros a la chalaca is like a ceviche but with mussels. For main dishes, the rib eye a la pobre had a great steak with an egg drizzled over rice. I really loved the sudado de pescado which is a simple dish of white fish in a light simmer sauce with onions and tomatoes. The drinks are awesome the showy quality but the desserts are not to be missed. Whether it would be ice cream or tres leches, just get something. Go forth and conquer Cora Cora. read more

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