Restaurant Review:Brunch At The Restaurante Social at the Hilton Hotel, Miraflores, Lima

Lima is a prime gourmet destination and when it comes to restaurants, one is spoilt for choice.

For two years in a row, Lima has won the title of Best Culinary Destination Of  The World.

There a special culinary tours for tourists including Organic Peruvian Coffee tasting, visits to local markets, tasting of exotic fruits and local products, ceviche and Pisco Sour classes....you name it.

Lately, we enjoy going out for Sunday brunch and as our son,  who lives presently in Austria, was visiting, we were looking for a place to celebrate.

As he adores sleeping until late on weekends, we decided that brunch would be the right option.

Our choice was the Social Restaurant at The Hilton Miraflores Hotel.

The restaurant opens onto a terrace at street level, creating a nice alfresco ambiance.

 *Picture courtesy of HH.

Brunch here is an all you can eat concept but if you are looking for some fruit and granola in the list, you are in the wrong place.

This restaurant is generally appreciated for it's amazing Peruvian American Fusion cuisine and freshly prepared seafood.

We started with classic Mimosa and of course Pisco Sour (sadly not included)

choice of plated Mini main courses

The selection of dishes is amazing and ranges from charcuterie and cheese selection to freshly prepared Ceviche in all its variations, Peruvian Fusion cuisine and a fantastic selection of small desserts.

As about five percent of Peruvians are of Asian background, there is of course as well the Asian version of Ceviche called Tiradito with no onions included and the fish cut in very thin slices.

I find it a clever idea that everything is served in small portions at the table, so you can try many different dishes and have not to line up for buffet.

Traditional Peruvian mashed potatoes topped with squid slices in black olive sauce and the second one crab meat topped with avocado sauce.

Crabmeat topped with yellow chili cream

Fresher impossible-Ceviche prepared instantly before your very eyes. You choose the ingredients.

In this case prawns, red onion, fresh cilantro and yellow chili cream.

Add your choice of fresh seafood and fish.

And the final results:

Fish only Ceviche with yellow chili cream.

Fish only  Ceviche with boiled and roasted corn kernels (Can you believe the size of the corn kernel?)

Seafood Ceviche


Another variation with prawns, mango, avocados and sweet potatoes.


Delightful sushi, topped with salmon, at the background Peru's favorite soft drink - Inca Cola

Saffron risotto with scallops and topped with a special algae called yuyu.

Grilled octopus in balsamic reduction

A selection of mini desserts

Impossible to resist - just watch my sons hands


Cheesecake with Andean caramelised fruits

All in all a wonderful culinary experience with very good service.
The only suggestion would be to improve the decoration of the terrace, the plants on display look a bit depressing in a country where you have an abundance of tropical vegetation.
Hope you enjoyed the visit, thanks for acompanying me
* This is proudly a non-sponsored review.

Address: Hilton Lima Miraflores, Av La Paz 1099, Miraflores Lima 18, Peru

Restaurante Social

Sunday Brunch from 12m to 16pm.

S75./  (Peruvian Soles) per person 

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Seared Scallops With Passionfruit Sauce

 

 

Ever heard of social cooking? This is a new phenomenon in the world of foodies and it does sound like fun.

And this is how it works:

A small group of people get together through social networks, meet in a private department   and learn to cook by socializing and learn to socialize by cooking - as you like it.

It's all about cooking, sharing and socializing - no age, status or other differences.

I'm thinking of joining a group one of these days and will tell you about the experience - can't wait, I'm so curious already.

As summer is coming slowly to an end for us in the Southern hemisphere, I wanted to prepare a little farewell to summer dish and thought that golden browned scallops with an exotic passion fruit sauce would be perfect for this occasion.

Passion fruit is one of my summer favorites. I love its bright yellow color and wonderful aromatic flavor.

It works great in combination with fish, seafood and white meat.

*Tip: When buying fresh passion fruit go for the ones that are already a bit wrinkled on the surface, these are the ripe ones, full of flavor. No Botox needed :)

For the Passion fruit sauce you need:

3 cups of fresh (or frozen) passion fruit pulp

2 spoonful brown sugar

1 spoonful fresh lemon zest

1\2 spoonful freshly grated ginger

1 spoonful slightly salted, very cold butter, cut in cubes

 

 Method:

Slice the fruit in half, spoon out the pulp and strain in a non-aluminum sieve and with the help of a spoon press to extract juice.

 Place juice in a medium pan, heat over medium heat and stir in brown sugar, lemon zest and grated ginger.

Bring to a quick boil, reduce haet and let simmer for about 5 to 6 minutes or until juice is reduced by half and has slightely thickened.
Turn off heat and stir in the ice cold butter cubes until sauce is glossy.

For the seared scallops you need:3 cups of scallops, rinsed with cold water and patted dry
3 spoonful olive oil
1 spoonful butter
1 spoonful chopped parsley
Instructions:
Remove the tough abductor muscle from the side of each scallop (some scallops are sold with the muscle already removed).
Season scallops with salt and pepper.
In a small skillet heat oilve oil and butter.
When hot add scallops and let sear over high heat until brown and crisp, then turn using tongs and sear until the other side is golden brown.

Transfer on a warm serving dish and cover to keep them hot.
Sprinkle with choppedparsley and serve with hot passion fruit sauce.
Serves about 4p.
Enjoy!

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