Style Points: 4/5
Price: £££
Overall: 4/5

LIMA, brings Peru straight into a small restaurant in Fitzrovia, complete with unique organic and wild produce from small growers based in Peru through to the beautiful striking presentations.

The interior is not obviously glamorous but it is instead designed to be fun and comforting. In true South American style there are splashes of bright colour across the interior with contemporary seating and artwork on the walls.

LIMA is a representation of the gastronomic expansion that has taken place in Peru during the last few years and has transported itself to the capital. As a result dining at LIMA is always an experience worth looking forward too.

Artichoke and red potato

Would I Want Seconds?

We had booked a large group meal and after we had all piled in, we were shown downstairs to a long table and every member of staff greeted us to make us feel welcome.

Our waitress was very patient and accommodating and was happy to explain each dish and ingredient as well as offer suggestions which was extremely beneficial because none of us were particularly knowledgeable about Peruvian cuisine and the menu wasn’t exactly self-explanatory. With a dying phone battery, I couldn't even Google anything to pretend I knew at least the basics of Peruvian dishes.

We started off with some soft corn bread which was soft and a slightly sweeter freshly baked bread and it was served with a dip that reminded me of a mild sour cream. After this, we each tried a cassava starter which was composed of a small ball of savoury root vegetable that had a fried crispy coating.

When it came down to choosing the cocktails, some of the group tried the Mohika cocktail which contained vanilla and mint which was sweet and apparently addictive as they couldn’t help but order more. I had an El Nina cocktail which had quite a strong and had a sharp taste, meaning I had to mix it to dilute it slightly.

We had some bottled still water but the tap water was equally as good and is served with cucumber and pomegranate which infuses it ever so slightly with a freshness and sweetness.

Corn bread

Cassava

Hake

We were then given a cusco corn cake (£4.50) starter which was a little sweet, lovely and warm with a familiar taste of sweet corn and also a quinoa soleterito salad with tigers milk (£4.50) which is a very misleading name. Tiger's milk is not from tigers and neither is it a milk, it is in fact a citrus based marinade often used in ceviche dishes, similar to a lime juice.

I ordered the artichoke starter which consisted of artichoke, Amazonia with radish, red potato, avocado and passion fruit (£9). The red potato has quite a strong consistency that needs to be broken up with other flavours and textures and as this dish had some almost sour flavours it was well balanced and contrasted well.

The others in the group enjoyed braised octopus, organic white quinoa, botija olive (£14) and wild sea bass, avocado, blue potato, crazy pea (£14) as starters. They enjoyed the different sauces the dishes came in but the trouble with pretty presentation is that there is usually less food on the plate.

The suckling pig with giant corn, piquillo pepper, green rocoto (£24) was divine as it was tender, crispy and full of flavour. In fact there is a high chance I would return to taste it again.

Suckling Pig

Seabass

Amazonian fish

As my main dish I ordered the duck escabeche with magret, aji mirasol, algarrabo tree syrup, papa criolla (£23) which was flavoursome and cooked medium. The others on my table had the hake plancha with corn, rocoto pepper, queso fresco, Amazonian cashew (£20), paiche Amazonian fish with seaweed brown butter, annato, white kiwicha, cacao Amazonia (£24) and seabass chalaca with olluco tuber root, yellow aji emulsion, avocado oil (£22). They all enjoyed the exciting flavours in each of the dishes created by the interesting combinations and compositions, however their only gripe once again was that there simply wasn't enough.

Dessert time! I would recommend the Aljafores, dulce de leche ice cream, chanaca honey (£8.50). I only tried the biscuit with the sprinkled icing sugar as being dairy free, I couldn't eat the ice cream but it was nice and sweet and something I would have again if I visited again.

The others tried the chirimoya mousse with crispy meringue, cacao palo blanco (£8.50) which had a lovely light texture.

Through this meal I tasted several new dishes at the restaurant which was new and exciting. As the cuisine is so specific and unique to me it would be a rare occasion to try something different.

Could I Afford Seconds?

The prices at LIMA are on the steep side, expected from a Michelin star restaurant. With a couple of drinks each our dining experience came in at £52 per person.

However LIMA offers set menus which provide a more economical option to dining here. They currently have an express menu available for lunch and early dinner where 2 courses are £20 and 3 courses £23. They also have a Sunday Long Lunch Menu and a Lima Hoy Set Menu too.

Aljafores

Overall:  4/5

I thoroughly enjoyed the food and the great customer service. Each dish displayed fabulous artistic culinary skills, as they were all beautifully presented. However the portions are quite modest, but with a Michelin star to their name, I can see why presentation as well as taste are equally important to them.

Overall, LIMA Fitzrovia seems to have it all covered. The restaurant has character, great tasting food, an innovative menu, high quality of customer service and excellent presentation. You won't have experienced these flavours in this way in London before so I think for that reason alone you should go and experiment your way through the menu.

Website: www.limalondon.com
Address: 31 Rathbone Place, W1T 1JH
Closest Tube Station: Goodge St or Tottenham Court Rd.