Jarana Aventura - Peruvian Cuisine & Pisco Bar — Restaurant in Aventura

A Culinary Journey to Peruvian Heaven: An Essay on Jarana

In the new Esplanade wing of the Aventura Mall, there lies a new gem that has swiftly become my favorite restaurant: Jarana. Combining exceptional food, impeccable service, and a captivating ambiance, this Peruvian haven, helmed by the extraordinary Chef Martha, offers an unforgettable dining experience. The moment you step inside, you're transported to a world where culinary artistry and passion come together to create magic on a plate. In this essay, I will take you through some of the standout dishes that make Jarana a must-visit destination for food lovers.

The meal begins with El Huayno, a mocktail that sets the tone for the entire dining experience. This delightful blend of pineapple, lime, and ginger over ice is refreshingly vibrant and perfectly balanced, making it an absolute must-try. As you savor each sip, anticipation builds for the culinary delights that lie ahead.

One of the highlights of the menu is the Nigiri Criollo, a brilliant fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. The prime NY strip steak is tender and flavorful, complemented by a quail egg and plantain purée. The huacatay sauce adds a unique Peruvian touch, making each bite over the rice a culinary masterpiece. It's a dish that showcases Chef Martha's innovative approach to traditional flavors.

Next on the list are the Croquetas de Ají de Gallina, five pieces of pure joy that are nothing short of sensational. These fried ovals of chicken, ají amarillo, and parmesan cheese are to die for. The crispy exterior and creamy interior create a perfect harmony of textures and flavors, making this dish a must-order.

The Tuna Wantacos are another standout appetizer. These three pieces of crispy wonton filled with Nikkei-style tuna tartare, avocado, and ají amarillo sauce are phenomenal. The crunch of the wonton pairs beautifully with the rich, flavorful tuna tartare, making it a perfect starter to awaken your taste buds.

Moving on to the main courses, the Anticuchos are a must-try. These grilled skewers, served with roasted potatoes, Peruvian corn, and rocoto & huacatay herb sauces, are a delight. We chose the catch of the day, which was mahi mahi, and it was grilled to perfection. The accompanying sauces added a burst of flavor that elevated the dish to new heights.

The Lomo Saltado is a classic Peruvian dish that is executed to perfection at Jarana. Featuring beef tenderloin sautéed with onion, tomato, ají, and potato, served with rice, this dish is rich and savory. The tender beef and the combination of ingredients create a flavor profile that is both comforting and exhilarating.

Another personal favorite is the Ají de Gallina. This ají amarillo and pulled chicken stew is my absolute favorite Peruvian dish, and it's perfect at Jarana. The creamy, mildly spicy sauce is comforting and delicious, making it a must-try for anyone who loves traditional Peruvian flavors.

The Cebiche Limeño (Ceviche) is a seafood lover's dream. Comprised of mahi mahi, octopus, calamari, shrimp, ají amarillo leche de tigre, choclo, and sweet potato, this ceviche is marinated to perfection. The leche de tigre adds a zesty, tangy kick, while the choclo and sweet potato provide a delightful textural contrast.

To conclude the meal on a sweet note, picture four delightful donuts known as Picarones. These kabocha squash and sweet potato Peruvian fritters, drizzled with chancaca honey, are the perfect ending to a perfect meal. Light, fluffy, and sweet, they are a delightful treat that you simply cannot miss.

In conclusion, Chef Martha is a magician in the kitchen, crafting each dish with incredible skill and passion. Jarana offers an unforgettable dining experience, whether you're new to Peruvian cuisine or a longtime fan. The food, service, and ambiance are all exceptional, making it a must-visit destination for anyone in Aventura. Run to Jarana and immerse yourself in a culinary journey to Peruvian heaven.

Special thanks to GM Anthony, servers Yelian, Luchano, and Andrea. WE...

I was visiting Miami this past weekend. I took my family to Jarana to try it out after watching many ig post and reading "good" reviews. The restaurant has a nice decor. The server Luciano took our order. 2 kids entrees, and the adults ordered one ceviche,lomo saltado and tallarin verde with steak.(which he didnt even ask how we wanted the meat cook) Kids food came they were great. 15 min later my ceviche, Im waiting there for the other adults food to eat all together. 30 min later the lomo saltado. So now its me and my sister waiting for the last dish so we could all eat at the same time. An hour passes by and no tallarin verde. We asked and he said the steak is taking longer which they didnt even know we needed it well done because he never asked. So why is a steak taking an hour? He says if we wanna cancel it instead of offering going to the kitchen to rush it. Anyways it comes out on the med rare side (it took one hr for this) we spoke to the manager he took it to re fire, but by this time its been already one hr & half and we are all still waiting to eat. We asked the server why did the food came out one by one and no response he just apologized. I saw all the other tables that came after us getting their food before us and all at the same time. So either he didnt put it in right or he forgot but he looked mad that we complained. We had 2 more adults joined later and we were already on a rush with all this time wasted. So they ordered 1 ceviche to share, and my uncle already knew everything that happened with our food and he just says in a nice way if they could be a bit faster on that order, and Luciano who was right next to me taking the order said in a lower voice "yea im gonna go cook it" nobody heard it beside me, i didnt wanna make this more of a dissastear than it already was. But this is soooo disrespectful!!! we were visiting from california having high expectations on this restaurant but everything was such a dissapointment. We clearly wont be back and unfortunately would never recommend this to anyone. And Luciano you need to work on your attitude because with the one you have you are not on the right industry. Its a pricey restaurant and I have NO problem with that but i went in for good food and the experience of the place and it wasnt worth the money Ive spent. Managers dont even go and touch the tables like they should, The manager never came back to see how we were doing after the issue with the steak. It was just a bad...

We drove an hour to try this new Peruvian restaurant by one of the most famous chefs in Peru, but unfortunately, we left highly disappointed.

The menu had all the classic Peruvian favorites, so we thought it would live up to the hype. But right from the start, there were red flags. They even charge you for canchita, which any traditional Peruvian restaurant offers complimentary as you browse the menu.

I ordered a chicha morada pisco sour, my husband had a beer, and our two kids had Inca Kola. We started with two orders of anticuchos de corazón — the flavor was great, but some pieces were quite chewy.

My son asked for a lomo saltado without vegetables, and to my surprise, they said that couldn’t be done. We dine at Peruvian restaurants at least five times a month, and no one has ever refused that simple request. It’s a dish sautéed to order — leaving out the veggies shouldn’t be an issue. But nope, not possible.

We also ordered arroz chaufa and seco de carne, both of which tasted good but nothing exceptional. For dessert, we had a chocolate cake.

While the food was just okay, I’ll admit the ambience was nice and our server was very sweet. We were ready to move on and give them some grace — until the check arrived: $330.

I honestly felt robbed. Three main dishes, two appetizers, a dessert, a drink, a beer, and two sodas. Call me crazy, but I felt it was steep.

We eat out several times a week and don’t mind paying good money for quality food — but this simply wasn’t worth it. Sadly, none of the nine of us who dined there will be coming back.

It’s truly disappointing to see such a high-caliber chef fail to deliver what his name and reputation stand for.

We definately paid for the name, not for the quality of food. Had we done the latter, I wouldn't be upset...