We stopped by Jarana at American Dream after a full afternoon at the mall, and it turned out to be…read moresuch a fun dinner. The restaurant is colorful, lively, and has a great atmosphere without feeling too formal. We started with the Tuna Wantacos. Our server warned us that they were spicy, and he was right -- definitely a little kick, but very flavorful. The white fish ceviche was bright and refreshing, with that tangy, salty leche de tigre that really wakes up your appetite. The Lomo Saltado was hearty and satisfying, but my favorite dish of the night was the Seafood Arroz Chaufa. It came topped with an omelet and had squid, fried shrimp, and plenty of seafood throughout. Really comforting, savory, and filling -- I would absolutely order this again. We also had chicha morada and a passion fruit drink. I've always liked purple corn drinks, so the chicha morada was an easy favorite. We finished with a chocolate dessert, which was a nice ending after such a big meal. Overall, a very enjoyable Peruvian dinner with fun décor, good flavors, and plenty of variety. I'd definitely come back, especially for the seafood fried rice.

We came to Jarana with high expectations. As fans of Peruvian cuisine, we were excited to try a…read morerestaurant associated with such a well-known Peruvian chef. We left with the impression that this is probably the kind of restaurant someone should visit for their very first introduction to Peruvian food--not because it represents the best of Peru, but because it offers a simplified version of its flavors. The restaurant itself is beautiful. It's clear that a significant investment was made in the design, atmosphere, and overall experience. The service was friendly, and we noticed that many of the servers were Colombian, which isn't surprising since Colombians are well known for providing excellent hospitality. However, there were moments when it seemed that some of the traditional Peruvian flavors and drinks weren't fully understood. For example, the Pisco Sour we ordered was much sweeter than it should have been. We decided to start with the jalea, hoping it would set the tone for the meal. Unfortunately, it did the opposite. The dish was overly salty and lacked the balance and excitement that a great Peruvian jalea should have. Instead of reminding us of the vibrant seafood flavors found in Peru, it tasted more like generic fried seafood than an authentic Peruvian recipe. After that dish, we chose not to continue with the rest of the menu. To make matters worse, both of us experienced stomach pain afterward, which confirmed our decision to leave. One thing that also caught my attention is the restaurant's description of its food as "approachable Peruvian cuisine." Making Peruvian food approachable should never mean lowering the quality or authenticity of its flavors. Simplicity and accessibility can absolutely coexist with exceptional taste. The beautiful atmosphere should be matched by food that delivers the same level of excellence. Considering the premium prices, the culinary experience simply didn't justify the cost. If someone has never tried Peruvian food before, Jarana may serve... again: may serve as an introduction. However, for anyone looking to experience what Peruvian cuisine is truly capable of, there are several outstanding Peruvian restaurants within just a few miles that offer more authentic flavors, a better overall dining experience, and often at a lower price. I genuinely wanted to love this restaurant because the concept and ambiance are impressive. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting or the reputation behind the name.

Lena y Carbon is one of my favorite Peruvian chicken restaurants in New Jersey. The chicken is…read morealways full of flavor and incredibly juicy. In my opinion, 1 PM is the perfect time to go--right after the chicken comes off the rotisserie. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the ceviche. The fish doesn't taste or have the texture I would expect from corvina. Honestly, I suspect they may be using basa or another less expensive fish, because there is no way this tastes like corvina to me. The chicken is definitely a winner, but the ceviche needs some work.

I visited for my sister's graduation dinner with a party of 7 and unfortunately had one of the…read moreworst dining experiences we've had. From the beginning, our server was extremely inattentive and dismissive. She repeatedly pushed us to order a seafood boat even after we clearly explained that multiple people in our party have seafood allergies. We ultimately declined it because we did not feel comfortable risking cross contamination. After that interaction, the service noticeably declined. Our table was largely ignored while nearby tables were attended to regularly. Food came out one person at a time over the course of nearly an hour, so we were unable to eat together. Some meals arrived cold, appetizers came after entrees, and we were never properly checked on. We had to get our own utensils because none were brought to the table and drink refills were never offered. To make matters worse, when we were ready to leave, we waited over 10 minutes just to receive the check because our server continued ignoring the table. An automatic gratuity was already included and when I expressed concern about paying full gratuity for such poor service, I was simply told it could not be removed, with no effort to address the situation or involve a manager. We understand restaurants get busy, but this was supposed to be a special graduation celebration and the experience completely ruined the atmosphere for our family. Very disappointing experience overall and unfortunately not a place we would return to.

The Restaurant I ate at was in Lyndhurst, not North Arlington…read more Never had Peruvian food before so, didn't know about any of the food. The waitress did not speak much English so I asked for what a woman at another table was eating, not knowing what it would be. It was the special which came with soup, entree and drink for $15. The chicken noodle soup was huge and delicious. I was unfamiliar with the spices on the beef but it was so tender and enoyable. Huge mound of citrus hinted rice and a side of beans. I was stuffed!! The place was clean; the service very nice. I really enjoyed myself. .

Myrna Peruvian is a solid spot with good portion sizes and a menu worth exploring. I ordered the…read moremariscos fried rice and the fish ceviche. The ceviche was good overall, fresh and enjoyable, but a few bites were noticeably too salty. The corn was a nice touch and added some balance to the dish. The fried rice was decent but leaned a little bland and could've used more spice or depth to really stand out. Overall, I'd come back and try other dishes. There's enough here to make it worth another visit.

We came here on a Sunday morning for some traditional Peruvian breakfast…read more We ordered two pan con chicharron and a chicken tamale. For a drink, we went with the jugo especial. The pan con chicharron was incredibly packed, I could not even fit it in my mouth, so much flavor yet little fat. The tamal was good, not the best I've had but pretty solid. Both were "true" Peruvian servings. The jugo especial was very good!! It took me back to going to the mercado back home and getting one. The service is absolutely incredible. The owner is incredibly sweet and told us his story about his family's restaurant back home. They have plenty of seating and a nice bar area as well. I will most definitely be coming back to give their lunch and dinner dishes a try!

We came here on a Wednesday night around 730. Looks like a fairly new place with not alot of foot…read moretraffic but I'm glad we took a chance and went inside for dinner. Their food is 10/10 with large portions, fair prices and most importantly, the food was flavorful and hit the spot! steak fried rice- lots of umami, generous portion and topped with scrambled egg. This is a must order! Bistek Ala pobre- a bowl of white rice, fried plantains, French fries and 2 pieces of steak seasoned very well. Breaded chicken with rice and plantains and fries- thinly breaded and crispy, a generous portion as well! Lime lemonade - a carafe we order- sweet and flavored just right! Base ceviche- a must order as well! Perfectly balanced and seasoned with lime and everything needed for a great ceviche. They have other kinds but I'd gladly order this again. Street parking, service is friendly, credit cards/ cash. Restrooms are clean.

The menu has changed. However the flavor is still there. This time we had the chicha morada BBQ…read moreribs. They were delicious. We had never had it before. They didn't have arroz con leche on the menu anymore which was a bummer.

They adorn the place with peruvian flags around the restaurant. The menu, thankfully, was in…read moreEnglish and Spanish so I was able to explore all the variety of options. They have a Asian fusion menu but I ultimately went for the pollo saltado. It was cooked well and it is the only place where they have a really spicy green sauce. Without it can be a little bland. They also had a few chicken pieces with bone. My friend ordered the beef heart. He said it was delicious. The cheviche however was way too spicy for him. Despite him asking it to be mild. The star of the dinner was the chicha drink. It was sweet and refreshing. The service could have been quicker being that it was not that busy on the weeknight. Also the prices are alot more than other local Peruvian restaurants.

I recently visited Santa Brava with my wife and our in-laws, and once again we had an absolutely…read morewonderful dining experience. We ordered three lomo saltado dishes (delicious, perfectly cooked), and my wife had the seafood soup, which was rich, flavorful and comforting. Each dish was served hot, fresh, and full of flavor -- clearly prepared with care. The service was friendly and attentive, making us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. The portion sizes were generous, and for the quality and taste we felt it was excellent value. The ambiance was relaxed and pleasant -- ideal for a family meal. This was our third time in under four months, and the quality has been consistently top-notch every single time. They've proven they can deliver excellent food and service over multiple visits -- no drop in standards. If you're looking for a place with great Peruvian/Latin food in Clifton NJ, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere, I highly recommend Santa Brava. We'll be back again soon!

Best spot by far for Peruvian food or just a great delicious meal. My family and our friends all…read moreLOVE this place. The service is also top notch. We are regulars now. Stop reading this review and start driving there now and thank me later!

My wife and I invited another couple to join us for dinner at Terra. Terra offers a Peruvian /…read moreLatin American / Italian fusion menu, and It is a BYO restaurant. It was our first visit to the restaurant. We tried both mussel appetizers - baked and ceviche style. The mussels were huge and plump and perfectly clean. The mussels were as big as oysters! The ceviche style was bright and citrusy. The baked mussels were bathed in a rich red sauce, slightly spicy and smoky. We also shared the Octopus appetizer, beautifully charred and coated with a delicious savory glaze, served with crispy herb roasted potatoes. The chef also provided a preview of a new dish that will be added to the menu soon - a Tiradito (ceviche) featuring salmon and avocado, arranged artfully. For main dishes my wife and I had the Pescado a lo Macho - a deep fried fish fillet topped with sliced octopus, shrimp, and calamari, bathed in a delicious sauce. Our friends had the Seafood Fettuccini. I didn't taste it, but they were very pleased with it. And for dessert we all had the Chicha Morada Cheesecake - light and creamy, with a delicious crunchy crust. Overall, we were absolutely thrilled by each and every dish. As we tasted each dish, we commented "I'd come back here, just based for this one dish". For the entire meal to be so consistently memorable and delicious was a real delight. Adrian, the owner, was a wonderful host, helping us navigate a menu of dishes that we were not familiar with. We also asked to meet the chef, Evelyn, to thank her for the wonderful meal. For those of you that know Montclair, you know how much of a challenge it is to find convenient free parking. Terra has it's own parking lot right next to the restaurant. I highly recommend a visit to Terra. I'll certainly be returning, and I look forward to introducing many of my friends to this wonderful dining experience.

So delicious and tasty! My husband and I finally made it in and I'm so happy we did! We ordered the…read moremini arepas, papa à la Huancaína , Lomo saltado, and Lomo saltado with gnocchi, and an extra side of veggies. The sauces and flavors were incredible! I ended up dipping everything in the huancaina and gnocchi sauces. The portions were very generous. We definitely ordered too much but couldn't stop eating! A local gem for sure!

We had such a great experience at Asu Mare Peru! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service…read morewas amazing. Our waitress was incredibly polite, friendly, and attentive, which made our experience even better. The only drawback was that the food did take quite a while to come out, but once it arrived, it was definitely worth the wait. Everything we tried was flavorful and delicious! They have music videos playing live music which is a definite plus. I would absolutely come back. There are already a few more dishes on the menu I can't wait to try. Great food, wonderful service, and definitely a place worth visiting!

I recently visited a small Peruvian restaurant located inside a shopping mall, which made parking…read morevery convenient. The space itself is cozy but well-organized, and we were able to get seated right away without any wait. The decor is inviting, and the music added a nice touch to the overall atmosphere. One thing I personally didn't care for was the menu being on a tablet at the table--it felt less straightforward than a traditional menu, especially when it came to understanding pricing. For our meal, I ordered the lomo saltado and substituted the usual white rice for chaufa. We also ordered salchipapa, tallarín verde with grilled chicken, and three sodas. Presentation-wise, all the dishes were beautifully plated, which definitely made a strong first impression. The tallarín verde was the standout of the meal--flavorful, well-balanced, and served in a just-right portion. The lomo saltado itself was good, but the chaufa rice was noticeably salty and ended up overpowering the rest of the dish. The salchipapa, on the other hand, was a bit disappointing. It was mostly French fries with only a small amount of sausage and very light on sauce. Where the experience really fell short was the billing. The prices displayed on the tablet did not match what we were ultimately charged. We were billed extra for grilled chicken and sirloin steak in the lomo saltado, even though no alternatives or pricing differences were clearly explained when ordering. The only additional charge that was communicated upfront was the substitution for chaufa rice. Transparency in pricing is important, and it was frustrating to see unexpected charges added at the end. For three entrées and three sodas, the total came out to around $100, including an automatic 18% gratuity. While the food had some highlights, the lack of clear pricing and unexpected charges--combined with a menu system I didn't find user-friendly--left a negative impression. Overall, while the ambiance and some dishes were enjoyable, the billing experience makes me hesitant to return.