Kusikuy Peruvian cuisine & Pisco Bar — Restaurant in England

So I found this restaurant by chance yesterday. I got really excited as I have a peruvian background. I checked the menu in advance and I knew it was limited but I was excited anyway as it is the first peruvian restaurant in Brighton. So we ordered Ceviche it was a bit meh perhaps they could have put more effort into it and the Leche the tigre was so yellow. It is never and not supposed to be like that. Then we also ordered anticuchos and they came with sweet potatoes and the anticuchos were marinated with loads of vinegar and they were a bit bitter. Anticuchos never come with sweet potatoes they get served with sweet corn and boiled potatoes and spicy sauce (aji).

We also ordered empanadas and they used the same filling that is used for patata rellena, which again seemed like it was down to a lack of effort. These empanadas were fried and Peruvian empanadas are not fried ...peruvian empanadas are baked and you serve them with a slice of lemon. Pisco sour was meh as well it was more like lemonade served in a small plastic cocktail glass they did make the effort they did not even used crystal glasses. So no effort on the presentation. For pisco sour, i would rather go elsewhere

Also as they are a new restaurant the owner should make the effort to speak to us he was more focused on 1 or 2 tables. I would have loved to speak to him and share constructive feedback. . 10% of service charge? Okay many places charge for that but it was not amazing. The italian and portuguese waitresses were nice but not overly enthusiastic or very welcoming

Atmosphere was alright. Decoration a bit too cheesy but very peruvian at the same time. Defo not coming back such a rip off for what it is and I am shocked that other peruvians say this place is good. They don't even offer chaufa, papa a la huancaina or many other staple dishes of peruvian cuisine.

I think they will make money from clueless locals or tourists. Defo not recommending this...

10s, 10s, 10s ACROSS THE BOARD 🌟 None of what I say in this review will do Kusikuy justice, you just have to go and see for yourself. My partner, James, and I have already been twice in a month. We’ve probably tried 80% of the menu and all the dishes we’ve had so far we absolutely loved. Whatever dishes you get, you’ve got to get the Ceviche Clásico with it. It’s such a refreshing dish that goes perfectly with the meaty, heartier dishes. My top recommendations are the Carne (beef) Empenadas, Chicharrón Nikkei (slow cooked then crisped pork belly), and Costillas Nikkei (slow cooked pork ribs). The portion sizes are perfect for sharing but also having enough to feel satisfied. The pork ribs are the best ribs I have ever had. So tender, so juicy and tender he meat falls right off the bone. The empanadas are so perfectly crispy. The filling is flavourful. The ceviche clásico is acidic and slightly tart which is why is goes so well with the fattier dishes (especially the empanadas). I can’t go without mentioning the Chocolate De La Selva. A warm dark chocolate soufflé. It has a deep, seductive flavour that melts on the tongue. Lastly, their pisco sours are to die for! Boozy, but well balanced. From the drinks to the food, everything is so well made and you can truly tell it’s all been made with love. Inside, the restaurant is decorated with photos of importance to Peruvian culture, be sure to ask about them for a quick history lesson. Nestor has a lot of passion for his job, he greets the customers with a huge smile and a warming energy which is refreshing to see during a time where everyone is working simply to survive. Thank you for looking after us, Nestor!...

My family and I been desperate for Peruvian food to arrive to Brighton, so we got really exited when we learned about Kusikuy. Finally today we were able to get there, and I have to say that it didn’t disappoint at all! For entries we had papa rellena, empanadas (beef and cheese & corn) and jalea. For mains, Aji de gallina, Lomo saltado, Ceviche and Causa Limeña. All the delicious, but our favourites were the Lomo Saltado, the empanadas and the jalea. The size of all the main dishes was generous (like proper Peruvian!!) and Nestor (the owner) was really kind and warm, and -since it was father’s day; he added a “tres leches” tart for free!! To summarise our experience: Delicious food, generous sizes, and a wonderful atmosphere. So, I (we) will be back for sure!! So happy no having to go to London (as we used to) to enjoy the amazing Peruvian food. PS.- I have given “only” 4 starts to the food since I believe there is always room for improvement. If you’ve never been to a typical Peruvian restaurant, there might be a bit of a “cultural shock” the first three minutes you walking… owner talking to guests, guests talking to each other from table to...