A highly acclaimed Peruvian & Bolivian restaurant in Providence. Arriving at 5 PM, it was already…read morenearly full, thankfully we had a reservation!
Jalea: I don't usually like fried seafood, but this was really good! Besides the usual oysters, quahogs, shrimp, mussels, and squid, they also had South American specialties like paiche and pota. The batter was just the right consistency, not too thick, so it was crispy but not hard, and not too greasy, allowing you to taste the natural flavor of the seafood. The best dish was the fried shrimp; the thin, crispy shell concealed incredibly smooth and tender shrimp inside. The yucca fries were thickly cut, crispy on the outside and delicate on the inside, very satisfying. I recommend ordering an extra side of chili sauce; the waiter called it "extra spicy," but it's actually a salsa-like sweet and sour sauce--refreshing and mildly spicy, very refreshing.
903 Tasting: A platter of three signature dishes, perfect for first-timers. Ceviche Mixto had a milder sourness, making it easy to put in mouth, but it was a bit monotonous, and the scallops were a little mushy. Jaleita was basically a smaller version of Jalea. Arroz con Mariscos was similar to Spanish paella, but it was noticeably more tomato-based in sourness, with a hint of cheese. The rice wasn't too soggy either, making it the best of the three.
Lomo Saltado: A classic Peruvian dish, and well-made. The beef is very flavorful, emphasizing the tomato's acidity rather than the soy sauce's saltiness, and the gamey taste was well removed. Although it was a bit overcooked , it was generally acceptable.
By the way, their backyard was really beautiful!