I was aware of La Ronda Restaurant when they opened early 2023, and boy do I regret not going then because what I thought could be a neighborhood go-to turned into just another expensive generic white cloth Peruvian place. One of the dishes we ordered is $10 more expensive than what it was under two years ago... inflation isn't supposed to be that exponential. Most prices are $5 more. And while I'm okay with paying a premium on good food, I find better value and dishes elsewhere in this area - even at luxe places at Hillsdale.
If I didn't think about the price, I think La Ronda is middle of the road based on the other Peruvian places I've eaten at in the bay. We were started off with complimentary cold bread, butter, and a spicy green chili sauce that gives painful tongue tingles. I'm surprised by the amount of people raving about the green sauce as it was REALLY spicy, and I eat a lot of spicy food. There were only two tables dining when we went for an early dinner, and the ambience was very quiet.
- Anticucho De Corazon
Our first order and my favorite dish, though my father thought the beef heart was too tough. It seemed normal to me - it's a bit chewy but also tastes like well marinated steak portions, except offal style; thoughtfully sweet but more smoky, savory, and well charred, almost like Chinese char siu. It accompanied a flavored boil potato piece, fresh Peruvian corn, and a delicious creamy tangy sauce.
- Tamales (pork)
It's a single large tamale that comes with fresh shredded onions. I was pleasantly surprised by this rendition, as the masa dough was very flavorful and even orange colored from the spices. You have a choice of pork or chicken, and the pork was oddly pressed together into a brick form. The corn dough was more impressive than the filling.
- Churrasco a la Parrilla
Bland New York steak requested medium rare, and it was appropriately medium rare, on the rarer side. The fries weren't too crispy, the rice was acceptable, and roast zucchini, squash, and carrots seemed questionably steamed.
- La Ronda Marina
Overpriced but gives a sample of two ceviches, fried seafood, and arroz con marisco intended to feed two people. The La Ronda Plate would have been a way better deal since it's a slightly smaller version, and you don't need the two ceviches since they tasted the same... as in I was trying to figure out the difference but gave up so combined them. I will say though that the fried cancha (corn nuts) were really good, and the amount of ceviche was generous, but I've had better in the peninsula. The fried seafood part disappointed me because it was overcooked - the calamari was not bouncy, and the mussels were super shrunk into the shell; the fried red snapper was alright at least, as well as the paella style seafood rice.
- Pasta Fruto De Mar
It's a creamy tomato seafood pasta. The mussels were again poorly cooked so that the meat was ultra stuck to the shell; you can even see it in my photo. It was otherwise good - just a bit creamier and with extra Peruvian spices compared to its Italian counterpart.
- Chicha Morada
We got half a liter which was enough for four people. It's one of the better ones I've had, as it was nicely sweet and fruity with finely chopped apple or pear - I couldn't tell since they were so tiny.
The server also recommended their picante de mariscos to accompany our platter, so if I ever come back, I'll try that. As much as I wanted to like this place since I live ten minutes away, I was underwhelmed by what I ate, especially with the overcooked seafood at a high price point. read more