Las Brasas Peruvian Fusion

Called in a take-out order and arranged to have it ready an hour in advance: they said no problem. I ordered half a roast chicken (con papas), lomo saltado, and a chicha morada. I arrive a little early and they're just finishing up. Perfect. Get the food and climb into the car and the first thing that hits me is the overwhelming delicious smell coming out of the bag. The first sip of chicha morada transported me about four thousand miles south. Mmmmm! Get home and start ripping open cartons: everything was god*amn delicious! I've eaten a few dozen lomo saltado plates in the last couple years (mostly in northern Peru, but also several in L.A.) and usually (like 90% of the time) the first thing you have to get over is the not-that-good beef. Kinda overcooked is the norm for some reason. (Or I just had really bad luck.) But this was tender, not overcooked and not undercooked. I'll definitely be back for the lomo saltado! Everything else was on point too: the rice and the fries soaking up all the sauce and meat juice... The chicken was kinda different: really herby and smoky at the same time, (and also delicious). Kind of intensely herby and smokey.... new to my tastebuds, but it grew on me quickly. Oh, when I got home, stepping out of the car, I immediately spilled the rest of the chicha morada. BAH!!! I was so mad for a second. Ha ha! Yeah, I'll be back.

I'm eating the leftovers drinking a Cusqueña (thank you Ramirez Liquor!).