Authentic Peruvian Cuisine
Sarasota, Florida, United States
Cuisine Style: Peruvian
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 4/5
Dined in February 2016
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Executive Chef:
Fernando Palomino
Opened 2012, INKANTO is a little Peruvian Restaurant which introduces you to a style of cuisine not really talk about much, but thanks to Chef Gastón Acurio owner of Astrid & Gastón, and Chef Virgilio Martinez of Central Restaurante, Peruvian is moving to the forefront of exceptional Latin American cuisine. I can attest as I work with several people from Peru who have shared some of there secret recipes, and through conversation have gained a greater appreciation for the country as a whole, and have moved it to the top of my future South America travel list. The two chef’s mentioned above have become well known for raising awareness of local ingredients and promoting Peruvian cuisine along with education. Their efforts have paid off as the restaurants they run are both on the top 100 restaurants of the world list through San Pellegrino and Elite Traveler.
Peru is a country on the western side of South America that you don’t really hear a lot about in passing conversation. Of course in the news right now all you do hear about is the Zika Virus, the failed socialist experimentation and collapse of Venezuela, and the Olympic games that ended recently. If it's not disease and governments run amuck then it's the drug trade with Colombia and its troubled history with names like Pablo Escobar brought to attention again through the new television show Narcos now in its third season. Then you have earthquakes in Chile, and government corruption and Socialism again in Argentina with their issues over the Falklands. Then you read about Peru. Excellent food, the wonderful terroir of wines, the start of the Amazon River, Andes, crop circles, and Machu Picchu. Another thing you don’t hear a lot about when it comes to Peru is the variety of cuisine. For example, there are more potatoes grown in Peru than anywhere else in the world. It is also the origin of the super grain known as quinoa.
In just a few years, INKANTO has brought its "Charm of the Inkas" style to provide authentic Peruvian cuisine in Sarasota. their foundation is built for upon the original recipes crafted by INKANTO's Peruvian-native culinary staff. There's plenty to choose from on the menu including a well-rounded seafood selection which was ranked as one of the best seafood restaurants to dine at. They were also a finalist for the Readers Choice 2012-2013 Best New Restaurant in Sarasota.
Menu:
- Starters
- Ceviches
- Traditional Dishes
- Desserts
INKANTO translates as “Charm of the Inkas,” and not to be mistaken by the Incanto studio album by Classical Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, his twelfth, coinciding with his 50th birthday. When you think about the cuisine from South America, like I mentioned earlier, the first thing that comes to mind is Brazil. In the 1980s the churrascaria steakhouse took America by storm with restaurants like Churrascaria Plataforma in Manhattan, and the M Grill in Los Angeles. As a result, churrascaria chain restaurants began popping up all over the country such as Fogo de Chão, and the Texas de Brazil.
Though churrascaria is common all over South America, it is a misrepresentation to me of what true Latin South American cuisine really is all about. There is so much more than beef and chicken grilled on a skewer. Don’t get me wrong, I have been to these restaurants a few times and their fun, but there is so much more if you know where to look. My wife and I were returning from the long eight hour drive starting in Key West where we had spent the past five days attending the annual Key West Food and Wine Festival, and she had found INKANTO a few weeks prior, and made reservations as we would be passing through Sarasota heading back to St. Petersburg.
We arrived early, just after the dinner opening and had the restaurant practically to ourselves with maybe two or three other tables with customers. Coming early is recommended as they pack out after 6pm. While we looked over the menu, we began with some wine. I had never had Peruvian wine before, as again it is something you don’t see a lot of since Argentina and Chile have cornered the market. They had several selections of Intipalka from the Ica Valley of Peru. Intipalka Valley del Sol in the language of the ancient Incas means “Valley Of The Sun.” The main producer of this wine is Santiago Queirolo which began in 1877 in the historical district of Pueblo Libre in Lima, then the family moved to Ica in 2007, releasing their first Intipalka labels in 2009. They expanded their winery to include a restaurant and hotel called Viñas Queirolo. My wife had a glass of the Sauvignon Blanc, and I had a glass of the Tannat, which is a red grape that isn’t even that common outside of places like Uruguay, where it is considered the national grape. If you drink a Tannat in France it will probably be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, but in South America, it is softer and fruitier with wider potential. Intipalka is produced in the Peruvian Ica or ‘Pisco’ heartland which is a style of brandy that Peru is widely known for more than wine.
INKANTO has a wine list that represents a good portion of the Ica Valley of Peru, plus a representation of Chile and Argentina. The Intipalka selections include a Cabernet-Petit Verdot blend, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec (yes, a Malbec produced in Peru), Syrah, Tannat, and Piscos.
While we enjoyed our glasses of wines and were continuing to review the menu, an amuse was brought to the table of fried corn kernels called canchitas with a green Peruvian Ají Verde Sauce made with pureed cilantro, Ají Amarillo peppers, huacatay paste, lime juice, local seasonings and emulsified with olive oil. Chef Gastón Acurio recently named Ají Amarillo the most important ingredient in Peruvian cooking.
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| Canchitas |
We shared two starters beginning with the Ceviche de INKANTO, prepared with fish and onions marinated in aromatic lime juice and yellow pepper sauce, topped with corn, red onions, and sliced sweet potatoes. The flavor was out of this world, absolutely fantastic. My palate was racing with joy. Ceviche is known as the national dish of Peru and on the INKANTO menu, there are six different ceviche choices.
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| Ceviche de INKANTO |
Besides the ceviches, there are twelve other starters on the menu and the second starter that we shared was the Papa Rellena which traditionally is a potato either whole or mashed that is stuffed with ground beef and mixed seasonings, deep fried to a golden brown then finished in the oven at a low temperature to cook off the meat. On the menu it was similar, their dish being a stuffed hot pepper with seasoned ground beef served with cheese on the top and potatoes gratin, and then a splash of the Ají Verde garnished on the plate.
Other items on their menu consisted of Ensalada INKANTO which are slices of tomatoes, botija olives, avocado, queso fresco, and choclo (Peruvian corn), over romaine lettuce with a side of fresh house dressing. Also, they have a Choritos a La Chalaca which is a mussels dish covered with diced onion, tomato, corn, hot pepper, and seasoned with lime juice. An Ocopa Arequipena which are boiled and sliced yellow potatoes covered with the sauce made of ají peppers and Peruvian "Huacatay" mixed with white cheese, boiled eggs, and olives. The menu continues with an Escabeche de Corvina, which is a pickled fish, topped with yellow peppers and red onions in a sweet and sour sauce that is made from the ají panca (a non-spicy pepper) and the vinegar in the pickling sauce. The dish is served over a bed of a quinoa stew. Finally, they have a dish called the Tamalito Limeno which is mashed Peruvian corn with cilantro, filled with chicken, botija olives, and yellow peppers all wrapped up in banana leaves. This is of course just a few of there starters.
Two glasses of the Tannat I was drinking went down very smoothly and I could have done an entire bottle, but just prior to the entrees arriving, I decided to switch over to a Peruvian beer called Cusqueña, ABV 5%, a pale golden lager from Cuzco, the seat of the Inca empire. Brewed since 1911, it uses only the finest natural ingredients, including pure mountain water from a source at 18,000 feet in the Peruvian Andes.
My wife had the Arroz con Pato, a tender duck leg quarter, served with rice cooked in dark beer, peas, and carrots. A very tender and flavorful dish, but be careful not to fill up on the rice, as they give you a large portion. Other poultry dishes on their menu consist of Pollo Saltado, which is a dish of diced pieces of chicken in a soy sauce mixed with french fries and cilantro in red vinegar. Then there was the Aji De Gallina consisting of shredded chicken in a spicy yellow pepper cream sauce with pecans. Arroz Chaufa, Aguadito de Pollo, and Tallarin Saltado no name a few more.
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| Arroz con Pato |
My entree choice was the Taku Taku INKANTO which was a mixture of beans and rice topped with Seco de Cordero which is a lamb stew seasoned with aji peppers, cumin, and lots of cilantro. The lamb is braised in beer until its tender and immersed in flavor. They also had several beef dishes like Lomo Saltado which has flambeed dices of beef steak sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and peppers served with french fries and white rice. Or you could have some seafood selections like Chupe de Camarones a classic Peruvian shrimp chowder made with potatoes, milk, egg, and herbs.
INKANTO has become a staple in Sarasota with write-ups and accolades from the Herald Tribune, Sarasota Foodies, and SRQ from 2012. It is always good to see ethnic restaurants popping up and stay locally owned, using the freshest of ingredients. For those who are vegetarian, there are few entree selections that cater to you as well.
Dessert:
We both enjoyed an after dinner beverage with my wife enjoying a cup of coffee, and an herbal tea for me made from the coca leaf (before the leaf is chemically altered into cocaine). The tea had a very large amount of caffeine and had me wired for a while. We shared a Tres Leches Pisco brandy dessert, well displayed, and very rich. They also have an Alfajor which is a Peruvian cookie filled with dulce de leche. Overall, this was a fantastic experience. When writing a restaurant review they say to make sure you have a mixture of pros and cons, but there were no cons to this visit. If I were to dig deep, I would say that they should expand the wine and beer list to cater to areas outside of South America, but then that would take away some of the authentic styles the restaurant is known for.
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| Tres Leches Pisco brandy dessert, |
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy Peruvian Articles and Restaurants:
Ají Verde Sauce A traditional Peruvian green chili sauce recipe served with chicken dishes
Chupe de Camarones A thick hearty chowder made with shrimp, potato, and legumes in Peru
Lomo Saltado A Peruvian chifa beef stir fry with potatoes and soy
Papa Rellena Peruvian fried stuffed potatoes recipe
Peruvian Cuisine Andes, Amazon, and Lima - A culinary tour with recipes and history
Peruvian Rice (Arroz Peruano) Long grained rice seasoned with lemon juice, & Ortega chilies
Pollo a la Brasa Peruvian Blackened chicken or Rotisserie chicken with chili sauce marinades - recipe
Suspiro a la Limeña Silky Peruvian dulce de leche custard with Port meringue dessert recipe
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Sarasota restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Relaxed Tuscan-inspired Italian chain eatery
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|
Nautically themed eatery with crafted cocktails and raw bar
Sarasota, Florida, USA
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Ybor City & Sarasota Traditional Spanish & Cuban chain since 1905
Sarasota, Florida, USA
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A Few Florida Favorites:
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Old-school English-American Eatery
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
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Music, food, and wine near pier 60
Clearwater / Beach, Florida USA
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The “Last Local Beach club”
Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
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Homey seafood eatery in a 1903 cottage
Dunedin, Florida USA
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Exploring the restaurant scene on this 7-mile long Gulf barrier island
Anna Maria Island Florida, USA
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Relaxed hangout serving German Grub
Brandon, Florida USA
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Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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9.5
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8.5
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1
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Food quality
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9.5
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7
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2.5
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Plate presentation
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8
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8
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0
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Customer service
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7.5
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6
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1.5
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Alcohol and other beverages
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5
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3
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2
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Total regular points awarded
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39.5
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32.5
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7
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.822784810126582
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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2
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0506329113924051
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Total percentage and bonus for final star rating
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0.873417721518987
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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4
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**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
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4 of 5 Stars:
87% Rating with a 2 point “wow” bonus
An Outstanding Dining Experience
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Wine rating:
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4 of 10
New World selections:
Argentina, Chile, Peru
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Corkage fee’s:
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This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
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Cuisine style:
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Latin, Peruvian
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten Free, Low Carb, Pescatarian, Vegan Options, Vegetarian
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Reservations:
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Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted
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Dress code:
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Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wears flip-flops!!
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
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Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Modern, Good for special occasions, Classy, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Private lot
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Low
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
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Patio or terrace:
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Yes
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Wine Tasting Notes:
Wine & Grape:
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Nose (Bouquet):
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Palette Experience:
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Intipalka Sauvignon Blanc
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Winemaker:
Pale yellow color with greenish borders. Expressive aromas with citric notes, apple, and peach standing out.
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Winemaker:
Refreshing, vivacious and with good acidity in the mouth, a light structure with a long and exquisite ending.
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Intipalka Tannat
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Winemaker:
Deep Red. Red and black fruit aromas along with cherries and strawberries
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Winemaker:
Ripe tannins, well balanced with a fruity aftertaste. Full-bodied and very long.
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricy)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
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Price
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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Alcohol prices:
$63.00 USD
INKANTO:
4141 S. Tamiami Trail
Suite 16
Sarasota, Florida USA
34231
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 941 924 6410
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Email Contact:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Dinner:
Mon-Thu: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri-Sat: 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed Sunday
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Social Media
&
Accolades:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
|
Esteemed old-school steakhouse with gospel brunch
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
|
Modern British cuisine in Art Deco Space
London, England, UK
|
Traditional and classic Italian plates
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Other Pictures:
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| Wine Cellar |
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| Intipalka - Tannat |
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| Peruvian Beer |
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| Peruvian Imported Peppers |
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| Coca Peruvian Tea |
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| Papa Rellena |
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| Taku Taku Dish |
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| Dining Room - Picture courtesy of INKANTO |
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TTFN
