Taste of Peru

CHICHA
26 PEEL STREET
CENTRAL
2561 3336
WWW.CONCEPTCREATIONS.HK

The space originally occupied by Chez Patrick in Central is now a Peruvian restaurant, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The interior has lots of wood, bamboo and black, with a dining area on one side, and a small bar and more casual section near the open kitchen.

The menu has a glossary to explain the ingredients, and the dishes have sophisticated flavours. Ceviche is a must, as is the corvina (HK$138), which has large chunks of sea bass, Peruvian corn and sweet potato mixed with lime juice for a tangy flavour.

For hot ceviche, there's scallops (HK$225) cooked with butter and leche de tigre that was sweet, but also crunchy with a sprinkling of volcanic rock salt. Anticuchos are grilled skewers and the black cod (HK$60) melted in the mouth.

Causa are potatoes with toppings and the one with squid (HK$165) was placed on top of a mashed Yukon gold potato with chilli paste and avocado.

Tacos (HK$50 each, HK$180 for four) are hard shells, with deep-fried fish, coleslaw and mango salsa. The quinoa salad (HK$50) is refreshingly light, and dessert is intriguing with lucuma (HK$80), a fruit, made into a custard filling in a cannoli-style treat.