1 review

1. Edgar Hillock  

   on February 15, 2015
   

   Lima Restaurant and Bar clearly caters to the upscale diners in Jackson Heights.  There's a ton of Peruvian restaurants in the area: I counted three in 2 blocks.  This place is the most upscale of the lot.  Visually, it's chic and dark.  Somewhat nightclubish.  The waiters are uniformed in crisp black uniforms.  But also, the price point is adjusted upwards, according: It's one of the most expensive restaurants in the vicinity.  I daresay, slightly overpriced.

   It's no surprise that Lima R&B was empty at 3pm.  It's an odd time, and they probably don't do much lunch business anyhow.  I envision this place hopping at night, filled with drunk hot Latinas in short dresses or painted-on jeans, downing cocktails to loud TV or loud music.  But this is just my imagination (or, perhaps, my fantasy).

   Service could be better.  After our meal was served, it was difficult flagging down a waiter or busboy for water or an extra spoon.  There seemed to be too many waiters for such an empty restaurant, but they were all "hanging out" near the bar — nobody came by to ask us how our meal was or to refill water.  My lamb seco hardly had any salsa — I had trouble flagging someone over to ask for more seco, and once he did come over, he informed me I couldn't have more salsa.  For $15 por plato, I deserve more salsa if I ask for it.

   However, the owner came by to chat.  He was a wonderfully friendly and jovial man, and delightful to speak to.  I loved talking to him, and it was good Spanish practice for me.  The waiters and busboys were all very friendly and good-natured, too.

   On to the food reviews.

   Cancha: D
   Much too dry, and tasted old.  A good restaurant should serve cancha fresh out of the oven and still warm.

   Aji Verde Salsa: D
   Much too picante!  I love picante, and love aji verde salsa, however, this salsa overpowers any food because it's MUCH too spicy.  It's supposed to complement and add flavor to food, not beat the food up!

   Chupe de Camarones Sopa: B+
   The soup is flavorful, yet uncomplicated.  Creamy, yet not heavy.  The shrimp were impressively large, and I couldn't detect the tell-tale iodine flavor of southeast Asian shrimp.  It's hard to believe, but I wonder if Lima R&B uses expensive Gulf shrimp.  If so, then they should advertise that fact, because few restaurants do.

   Seco de Cabrito: B-
   The lamb was so tender that I used my fork to cut it.  The lamb is also succulent: it tastes very "lamby"… no mistaking it for beef, which means it's high quality meat.  The whole stew is surrounded by a bed of bean stew.  The whole dish would've been an A- or even A, except for the fact that my seco hardly had any salsa de seco.  There's a Yelp picture of the seco here, and I'm totally jealous.  He got lots of salsa!  Why didn't I get any?  And why did the waiter deny me when I asked for more?

   Chaufa de Pollo: A-
   We got this for my 1 year old daughter and she loved it.  The chaufa here is quite tasty.  It was cooked with just the right amount of soy sauce — it tasted of soy, but wasn't overly salty, which chaufa can be.  The chicken was soft.  Great dish!

   Tallarines Verdes de Entraña: A
   Impressive dish!  The skirt steak bursts with flavor and was cooked perfectly, despite the waiter not asking us how the steak should be cooked.  The spaghetti was delicious — it was cooked to softness and the pesto was fresh and vibrant.  Next time we come, the spaghetti is perfect for our 1 year old daughter.

   Recommendations:
   1. Please ensure the cancha is fresh.  Warm would be nice.  Tone down the aji verde salsa.

   2. Serving complementary cancha and verde salsa is great, but how are we supposed to eat this with only a fork and knife?  Please give us a spoon!

   3. You have an impressive number of waiters and busboys who are friendly and courteous.  I shouldn't have trouble flagging a waiter down when there's 4 waiters talking at the bar.

   4. Please serve the seco with more seco.  I hardly had any sauce!

   5. If a customer wants more sauce on his seco, for the price you charge, the waiter should say "Yes, sir.  Right away."  Not "No, sorry, I can't give you more salsa."

   6. I understand this is a new restaurant and the kinks are being ironed out.  This restaurant has potential.  If you invite us back to re-review the restaurant, it would be our pleasure to redo the review.

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