MIAMI.- Miami has one of the most diverse gastronomic offerings in USA. Only surpassed by the largest city in the country. And we are lucky to have a good inventory of Peruvian restaurants, from traditional cuisine to dishes influenced by immigrants, and the new location of CVI.CHE 105 in Coral Gables is a good example of this.
The chef and owner Juan Chipoco opted this time for the fusion of Japanese, Italian and Peruvian flavors to nestle them in an impressive environment that is inspired by the culture of his native country, the luxury of gold and the sea.
Located in the new commercial district of the Miami municipality Plaza Coral Gables, just off Ponce de Len Boulevard, as soon as you enter this restaurant you realize that you are visiting a special place.
There are people who might think that the place is full of details, but Chipoco wanted to highlight the fusion of cultures in an artistic way with a very well thought out menu and the design of the property.
There are gold-plated chains hanging from the ceiling, photos of the chef and owner of the establishment, and walls covered with fish scale tiles that represent the sea and its products.
There is also music. A DJ entertains the place every day. In addition, it has happy hour and the option of eating outdoors.
Sometimes the music gets louder, but you can always ask to sit in a more secluded spot.
The comfortable bar invites you to order a pisco sour first.
The story behind
The chef and owner of CVI.CHE 105, which already has five locations in Miami-Dade, confirms the theory of the American dream if will and dedication are applied.
Chipoco started washing dishes, was a cook, salon manager, administrator and then an entrepreneur until he became a successful businessman.
It’s about evolution, Chipoco told DIARIO LAS AMRICAS. You always start with a small idea and evolve into a bigger and better one, he stressed.
Regarding the configuration of the restaurant, everything was designed based on my ideas, he stated. Designer Antoine de Manuela and an interior design team in Colombia brought the concept to life.
Decorated with Peruvian Inca attributes, but subtly refined, the Sun god Inti Raymi is present in the new location.
Men
In addition to the usual dishes that we find in the other four restaurants, the location in Coral Gables has a particular specialties menu that has an additional menu, whose prices range between $13 and $120.
We highlight the Diamond Platter composed of three types of ceviche, oysters, octopus slices, salmon, crispy fried rice rolls covered with shrimp, rocoto aioli, eel sauce and drizzled with a touch of edible gold.
Another highlight is the chef’s leche de tigre compound, made with lemon and seasoned with jocoto pepper that you can drink once you finish your ceviche.
We also tried El doperfecto, which comes with the fish of the day, impressively served: half ceviche and half breaded pieces that are accompanied by the delicious 5-star leche de tigre compound.
Beef? Oh s! Tacu Tacu with lomo saltado: a succulent rice made with Canary beans, Peruvian peppers and touches of pork. Served with sirloin, onion, tomato and cilantro, all flambéed with Pisco 105 and bathed with the chef’s secret sauce. You can also order it with chicken or seafood.
Arroz norteazo y algo más is another dish to consider: perfectly cooked soupy rice with chicha de jora and loche squash, sautéed seafood, crispy fish, fresh chalaquita and smoked aioli.
For dessert, coconut flan, a delicious coconut and egg cream, not as sweet as other recipes, that will meet your expectations.
The options are many, the staff is well informed and the good service attracts attention.
I had a good boss who taught me one cardinal rule: treat every customer as if they were your mother, recalled young waitress Samantha.
If my mother goes out to eat, I want her to be treated well. And that’s what I do. I try to attend and do as much as possible to make them feel comfortable, he emphasized.
And that is a great advantage. “I interview all job applicants,” Chipoco summarized.
CVI.CHE 105111 Palermo Ave., Suite #108, Coral Gables. Website ceviche105.com
