Llama Restaurant — Restaurant in Florida

Incredible food, incredible service. I could end this review now because you just need to go. It's as simple as that.

Need more convincing? Ok, buckle your belts, I'll tell all. Read past the quirks because in the end it was absolutely worth it.

I'd had Llama on my list for some time and decided to make a reservation for our anniversary. We had never been there before and had no idea what to expect. We were a little put off by the parking lot which seemed designed only for compact cars and the instructions for other vehicles to park in the front or back. I didn't really see any parking in the back, but we were able to park on the street right in front of the restaurant.

The restaurant is small from the outside, with no lobby or check-in area. I tried the door handle at 4:55 but it was still locked. Peeking through the window I saw activity inside. Note, a hurricane had just passed through the area and although I had confirmed they were going to be open I was a little worried now.

All worries ended at 5:00 sharp when the door opened and we were cheerfully invited inside. They meet you as you walk in with a friendly greeting immediately followed by "Do you have reservations?" After checking your name against their list, they seat you.

The interior is extremely cute, and what seemed small on the outside was cozy and intimate on the inside. Decorations were adorable and on point for the cuisine. This is not a sprawling establishment and you will need reservations and a phone call if you have a large party.

Service was impeccable. Super friendly, helpful, great suggestions, great explanations of the menu, great recommendations.

You are served a complimentary dish that I'm afraid I can't recall the name of consisting of I believe plantain chips and a generous helping of some sort of roasted crunchy corn. Delicious unfamiliar flavors is the watchword of this establishment. I wanted to ask for more after we swiftly cleared our dish.

Since we were dining peruvian I asked for a peruvian beer, and received an icy frosted mug of cusquena lager. So very refreshing and one of the best beers I've tasted from a bottle in a long time. I would totally buy that if I can find it in a local store. My wife opted for the chichamosa. She opted for it five times because she loved it so much. Champagne, purple corn, pineapple, lime and spices. You will not find this anywhere else, and you will want to try it. I'm not sure what the spices were but they reminded me of a pumpkin spice. Very intriguing flavor and a lovely purple color from the corn.

For an appetizer we decided on the ceviche lima, which is fresh corvina marinated with lime juice, cilantro, and limo peppers served with Peruvian giant corn and glazed sweet potatoes. The liquid is poured into the dish tableside with the other ingredients placed around the rim of the bowl. We were then advised to push them into the liquid and let everything marinate for about a minute before eating. Incredibly robust flavors, amazing taste. A definite treat for our tongues.

And delights they were. I had the arroz con mariscos which contained a delectable assortment of "fruits of the sea" served over the best risotto I've ever had. Generous amount of shrimp, two large prawns, two large scallops, tender calamari, parmesan crisps. Utterly amazing. I've had comparable dishes at the same price point with half the seafood.

My wife had the mar y tierra with hangar steak and the same large shrimps I had in my meal, served over broad-noodled pasta and the most delightful sauce I've tasted in forever.

Dessert: do not opt out! The custard is incredibly creamy with wonderful flavors, and the sacred valley cacao superb. Cappuccino was perfect, served with rock sugar that made it special.

I know I'm running out of adjectives but what I need to stress is how fresh and robust everything tasted. Presentation is divine, with special dishes used and rocks or pebbles. What a wonderful way to glimpse another country's cuisine!

Now we just need to figure out when we can return! Thank you,...

BOTCHED BIRTHDAY! I booked this restaurant a week in advance for Jan.4. For 5:30. I talked with a man. Unfortunately I did not get his name as I usually do being in the business for decades. I stated that it was my bday and requested a special table and if anything later opened up to please contact me. The day of, Jan. 4, I called the restaurant twice to ask if there were any later cancelations. If no one picks up at Llama the call states,"please enter your remote access code." This along with hiring rude workers does not make up for good food. U have to show respect to customers and that is with good communication! As the day progressed my daughter called Llama for me around 3pm on HER phone. Marcel (I know the owner is named Marcel so I am assuming he is the same) answered and she asked if anything later opened up. He said the latest we could come was 6pm. She agreed. Later in the night after the scene that Louis instigated I realized Marcel had called MY phone and said that a 7:30 was available and to call back and confirm? I still have this vm from Marcel! We were in agreement for 6pm so of course we headed to the restaurant to celebrate my MILESTONE BIRTHDAY quietly at Llama at 6. Our Uber took a wrong turn in heavy traffic then we were caught at the bridge . I called llama twice to tell then we were going to be a tad late. No answer. We arrived and Louis entered my birthday only to unravel any joy I possibly had. Louis did not greet us hello with a smile, he NEVER apologized for not being able to find my reservation all Louis did was basically say to me,"PROVE IT!" He asked me to find a text from Open Table. I told him I thought I erased it but looked. I didn't book with Open Table I booked with the restaurant. Plus I like to keep my texts to people in my life. He then admonished me, " Maybe u shouldn't erase your texts." Really? Well maybe Louis should get some manners and learn restaurant etiquette. The customer is never wrong. He continued to ask for proof (putting the blame on me) and ordered me to write down the name the reservation was under, check my emails, check my texts AGAIN , etc. Louis kept on blaming me for not having any proof of my reservation! He should have focused on how he could have alleviated the situation instead of putting the onus on me! A real gentleman and someone that knew the business would have apologized and said,"Give me a moment please to fix this situation." And find a way!! Louis knew it was my birthday but continued to drill me which I wasn't too happy about but was trying to keep cool. This went on for awhile being the most ridiculous situation in a restaurant I have ever been in. Suddenly my daughter says, "Mom, they are taking pictures of us!' My daughter asked, "Why?" to the woman taking pics and she shrieked,"I'm gonna blast u on the internet!!" My daughter tried to explain to the woman that Llama lost our reservation and the woman continued to be vile and said,"You two are ruining our night." (All about u!! Oh happy u!) I interjected and told them how sad they were and to get a life. I informed them they did not know what was going on. Then the woman flipped me off showing how classy she was and I was there with my camera seeing that she threatened to blast my daughter who has a very delicate job. So here we are mother and daughter simply trying to celebrate my birthday and who caused all of this!?? Louis!! He then had the audacity to kick us out because he does NOT know what he is doing!! We were basically just accosted by him and his vile customer!! My daughter was in absolute tears because of such meanness and worried what the woman would do. Seeing that we live in a society that is so quick to judge without knowledge. Reason being I am explaining everything! It's really a sad state of affairs when restaurants treat customers like so poorly. Give your money to kind people. Update: Marcel responded to me on Yelp with lies and attacked me again! He stated he had video. Show it Marcel. Show...

Yesterday, 06/03, my family & I visited Llama Restaurant, the renowned Peruvian gem in St. Augustine, FL. I was absolutely blown away by the entire experience. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The interior is beautifully decorated, with a perfect blend of traditional Peruvian elements and modern elegance, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Our culinary journey began with the YUCAS FRITAS appetizer, which was so delicious we had to order an extra serving. The crispy yucca fries paired perfectly with the Amarillo pepper and cheese Huancaina cream dipping sauce, a delightful start to our meal.

For the main course, I chose the Cordero Cusqueño, an Andean-style roasted rack of lamb marinated with Andean herbs and spices. This dish was a masterpiece, served with golden potatoes, Cusco corn, and an onions salad, all finished with a garlic double cream and huacatay salsa verde. The lamb was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful, and the accompaniments were equally impressive.

I also tried the SWEET PLANTAINS & PEPPERS as an extra side, which added a wonderful touch of sweetness and a hint of spice to my meal. To drink, I enjoyed the MARACUYA GLASS, a natural passion fruit juice that was refreshingly sweet and tangy.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the dessert. We couldn't resist ordering everything on the dessert menu, and there were no regrets. The LUNA LLENA, with its Lavender Honey Tres Leches and White Chocolate-Yeast Ice Cream, was exquisite. The SACRED VALLEY, featuring Quillabamba cacao mousse and Lucuma fruit puree, was a rich and decadent treat. The ALGARROBINA CUSTARD, with Northern desert black Carob syrup and dark berries, was a unique and delicious experience. Finally, “THE S’MORE IS ON FIRE” was a fun and flavorful finale, with Alfajores shortbread cookies, tropical Squishy Squares marshmallow, and a surprising Parmesan cheese ice cream topped with a fruity compote.

Our server, Ashley G, was phenomenal. She deserves recognition. Her recommendations were greatly appreciated, and her attentive service made our evening even more special. She was knowledgeable about the menu and provided excellent suggestions that enhanced our dining experience.

The food presentation at Llama Restaurant is worth mentioning as well. Each dish was artfully plated, making our dining experience not only a treat for the palate but also a feast for the eyes. The vibrant colors and meticulous presentation of each course added to the overall enjoyment of the meal.

Llama Restaurant exceeded all of our expectations. The ambiance, service, and food were all exceptional. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in St. Augustine. We will definitely...