Checa — Restaurant in Stockholm

If it was just for just food & vibe if would have been a pretty weak 3/5 mark. Dishes were small and overpriced in relation to their size and quality. Tiny ceviches. Luke warm mains on cold plates. An ok but definitely a nothing to write home about, forgettable meal. Cold and drafty place, cold in toilets. However what really drags it down is extremely poor service and staff customer care skills. Waiters were sloppy and acted like amateurs. 1 hour 40 mins into our meal we were finishing our ice creams and coffees. Chilled and merry, an ok evening. A somewhat worked up Argentinian floor manager turned up out of nowhere uninvited and slammed a card terminal down on our table telling everyone (in English – for some reason they have a floor manager who doesn’t speak the language of the country he lives in) “guys can you pay, your time is up”. Five minutes later he pops up again, comes to the table and this time he looks even more flustered and annoyed. “Guys hurry up, we really need this table”. This time he hangs around to really make sure we all down coffees and shovel down deserts and get the hell out of there. When asked why he is being obnoxious and kicking customers out (who until then were enjoying their evening) he mumbled something along the lines of “you are only allowed 2 hours per meal in our restaurant”. Now. Even if that “rule” itself is beyond stupid (one would imagine an eatery would be interested in people feeling great and comfortable and staying longer), what really makes it idiotic is that the place was not exactly brimming with people (see pics). A few large empty tables, some of them not even set. An empty bar. No one queueing from outside on a Friday night. One wonders how long this guy would last managing restaurants in his native Argentina (or Peru) with this attitude and message delivery and how long this place with this kind of staff and policy would stay open. To sum up. Average food, pricey, be prepared to have your evening ruined at the end of your 2 hour slot. You are worth better. Don’t waste your money. Avoid...

My recent visit to Checa, a restaurant specializing in Peruvian cuisine, was a blend of intriguing flavors and mixed experiences. As a first-time visitor, I was excited to delve into the diverse dishes on offer.

We began our meal with two types of ceviche: Lima style and mixto. The Lima style ceviche stood out with its well-balanced flavor, avoiding an overpowering sourness. It was refreshing and enjoyable throughout. The mixto, on the other hand, started strong but became overly sour after a few bites, which diminished the overall experience.

For appetizers, we tried the scallops and yucas. Both dishes were satisfactory but didn't leave a lasting impression. They served their purpose as appetizers but lacked a distinct, memorable quality.

Our main course selections included crispy pork belly and jumping lomo. Unfortunately, the pork belly was a disappointment; it was too dry, making it difficult to appreciate the flavors. The jumping lomo, however, was the highlight of our meal. This dish featured chunks of oxfile flambéed with tomatoes, onions, and potatoes, served alongside garlic rice and corn. The combination of flavors and textures was delightful, making it a dish I'd highly recommend.

The ambiance at Checa is perfect for a relaxed evening out. The slightly dimmed lighting creates a cozy and intimate setting, ideal for a date night. The service was excellent, with attentive and friendly staff enhancing the dining experience.

Overall, my experience at Checa was a bit of a hit and miss. While some dishes, like the Lima style ceviche and jumping lomo, were impressive, others fell short. Considering the price point, I'm uncertain if it warrants a revisit. However, for those who haven't explored Peruvian cuisine, Checa offers an interesting introduction to its flavors and dishes.

In summary, Checa is worth a visit for its unique culinary offerings and pleasant atmosphere, particularly if you're new to Peruvian food. The service and ambiance make it a great choice for a special...

We had a nice evening out and the food was absolutely good - but maybe it just didn't fulfill my expectations. Given the price and small portions one expects a real fine dining experience, and I was very much looking forward to getting back memories from my time in Peru, but it just didn't get there. The soy sauce in the tuna ceviche sauce just took over completely (but +1 for the amazing orange chili!). The pork belly was unfortunately really dry, while one would expect it to be soft and tender after slow-cooking. With the mashed potatoes it unfortunately just tasted Swedish husmanskost, for which only the artichoke chips could make up - they kind of saved the dish.

But my main disappointment was with the way they treat group reservations. We were asked to pre-order (which in itself makes sense) but we could only choose from a smaller selection of the menu for a fixed price. That was a bit of a pity as I was so much looking forward to trying the Lomo, but OK. What stunned me most was that the fixed price we got to pay was higher than if we would have ordered the same dishes from the normal menu. That is not how you treat a group - either you make everyone pre-order from the full menu for the regular price, or you give a discount to make up for having to choose from a limited selection, so the total would never be higher than if we wouldn't have...