Punto Azul — Restaurant in Lima Metropolitan Area

I'm not sure how this place is so highly rated. We came here with high expectation, but highly disappointed afterwards. The restaurant had constant flow of customers, so we felt good. The waiter Pepe recommended a whole bunch of dishes to us saying; they're known world wide for them. We ordered the Pulpo Al Olivio, Pescado A Lo Macho, and Risotto Punto Azul. These were 2 of the highly recommended food by google and the waiter. The food came out and it went down hill from there.

1. The Pulpo (octopus) was definitely fresh, but the flavor and side dishes were not helping. It's in a purple sauce that was sour and a bit salt. Too bland for my taste. It came with crackers, which made it bit better. My wife tried it and it definitely gave her a stomachache later.
2. The Pescado A Lo Macho (fish and seafood) didn't hit the mark. It was serve with white rice and the rice was definitely hard. They could've used jasmin rice for better quality. The dish was brought out and the sauce instantly froze. It was no longer creamy or saucy in texture but solidify itself. The taste was salty lack of flavor if you consider salty a flavor seafood was fresh was the only highlight.
3. The Risotto Punto Azul was horrible in my standard. I make risotto at home occasionally and it definitely is more creamy and had more flavor than this. The rice was still undercook, the rice was still a little hard. It was definitely bland with no creamy flavor like regular risotto. I'm thinking maybe because it was cook with octopus ink, so it wasn't creamy. But if that's the case i wouldn't put it in the menu if it's not good. The fried fish was over cooked because it was dry and once again salty.

We've NEVER EVER thrown away so much food. I finished not even 1/4 of the Pulco and all the proteins on the risotto. My wife just ate half of her Pescado. This restaurant truly disappointed us and we came here super hungry. The waiter just brought the food out and never came back to check on us. I'm guessing he saw my wife expression and didn't bother to ask us how we're doing. The plantain chips and dips were good. Pepe actually gave us a refill. But besides that it was definitely a wasted night for our food venture...

Fresh, vibrant, delicious. The kitchen served us at 10pm on a Saturday, so that was definitely a plus.

Had a pisco sour, a chilcano classico, and a chilcano rose. The pisco sour was a nice, small portion. I didn't think I'd want more unless you really like egg white drinks. I'm becoming a fan of chilcanos. They are made with pisco, ginger ale, lemon juice, and bitters. It is well balanced and refreshing. It doesn't taste too boozy. If you like ginger ale, but aren't sure about pisco, this is a much better intro drink than a pisco sour.

I loved the chilcano but the chilcano rose was much different. It was very floral and just not my style. Still bubbly and yummy. But a large portion for a drink.

Had to have ceviche when we came here. Wanted to try the Punto Azul but they were out. We went with the ceviche mixto. Excellent tangy leche de tigre. The mixto included shrimp, clams, calamari, and fish. Great mix. And those red onions! Just a little vinegar for a quick pickle, but they were excellent. And don't knock the club crackers until you try it altogether. It was refreshing and light.

Also had the octopus with black olive sauce. The octopus was excellent. I am learning, however, I am just not a fan of olives of any sort. So if you like black olives, this would be great. It is also served with potato salad which seems odd but pairs really well.

This was a great first meal for us in Lima.

They also serve some table starters, like little pinchos before the meal. The plantain chips were light and crispy which matched the garlic aioli well. It reminded me a bit of a dill tartar sauce. The red sauce had a good amount of heat to it.

Then, the corn puffs. I have no idea what kind of corn this was or how it was cooked. It baffled me and I could not stop eating it. What...

From the moment we stepped into Punto Azul in Miraflores, it was clear we were in for a culinary treat. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the mixed ceviche, which was, without exaggeration, the best I've ever had. The freshness of the seafood, combined with the perfect balance of acidity and seasoning, made each bite an explosion of flavors.

We also indulged in the squid ink risotto and a creamy seafood paella, both of which were exceptional. The risotto was masterfully prepared, offering a deep, rich flavor that was both unique and comforting. The seafood paella, with its creamy texture and generous portions of seafood, was a delightful take on a classic dish, leaving us thoroughly impressed.

To accompany our meal, we tried the Pisco Punch. It was wonderful - refreshing, with just the right amount of kick, complementing our dishes beautifully.

The only downside to our visit was the wait, a testament to the restaurant's popularity and the quality of the food they serve. However, this minor inconvenience was easily mitigated by spending time at the bar, which turned out to be a great experience in itself, with friendly bartenders and a pleasant atmosphere.

In conclusion, Punto Azul in Miraflores is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of Peruvian cuisine. The exceptional dishes, coupled with the vibrant ambiance and excellent service, make for an unforgettable dining experience. It's clear that Punto Azul takes pride in their culinary creations, and I can't wait to return on my next...