Máncora Restobar — Restaurant in Hartford

Hartford has been blessed with several new Peruvian restaurants in the last few years ranging from very casual down-home types to the award-winning Cora Cora. But after last night's meal at Máncora on Wethersfield Avenue, I would have to say it is easily in the top of the top tier of Latin food in the region.

The location is near the Wethersfield town line and the Airport Road exit from 91 making it an easy drive from my neighborhood of Frog Hollow but also easily accessible from Wethersfield, West and East Hartford or on foot if you're lucky enough to live nearby.

Even though the restobar was busy, we easily found parking in the large lot in front. The reception was warm and we were given a choice of indoor or patio seating. It was really hot so we chose inside.

The inside is Miami sleek. High design and whimsical but not cold or intimidating. A small sign said proper attire is required. While a large table attending a birthday party was dressed to the nines -- I could have sworn a couple of the women were super models -- everyone else was in neat, hip casual attire.

The waiter, Marco, was attentive and easily transitioned between English and Spanish throughout the meal. Crispy corn kernels and the Peruvian green sauce appeared during the water service and pisco sours followed shortly. The green sauce was so good I could have drank it. The cocktails were good also, but I still say the best pisco sours in Hartford are at Fire by Forge.

The pescado ceviche was outstanding as was the filet in red sauce and pulpo main dishes that my friend and I ordered. The fried yucca came out steaming hot with two other sauces that were so good I would have slept with the chef to get the recipe. The third main that came to the table was the Lomo Saltado. My Peruvian-Ecuadoran-Puerto Rican-American friend who ordered it said he orders that dish whenever he finds it on a menu, but the Máncora version was the best he ever had. I am sure of his claim because he said it about 10 times!

We ended with an outstanding Tres Leche cake that slightly crossed over into flan territory.

We rolled out of the restobar around 10pm with warm goodbyes from our hosts.

All I can say is RUN! DON'T WALK to this new...

A single review wouldn't describe how much fun we had, how delicious the food was, and especially the treatment of the people, especially the young woman who served us. I don't remember her name, since at the end of the meal, I can only say that we left happy, well-fed, and above all, satisfied.

We went on Sunday, April 20th at 6:00 pm, right in the middle of Easter. We made a reservation for 17 people two weeks in advance. As soon as we arrived, everything was ready. We were treated very well. The restaurant was very clean and, above all, comfortable. I describe the food and drinks below. I recommend them; they will impress you with their flavor and textures.

Food:

My favorite 👌🏻 ARROZ CHAUFA Peruvian-style fried rice mixed with chopped egg, scallions, all sautéed in a wok with soy sauce. Chicken. $22 Filet Mignon 7 oz $38 Seafood Shrimp $28

RICE WITH SEAFOOD A mix of seafood and rice, Peruvian-style paella seasoned with aji Amarillo, served with salsa criolla $32

MARINE TRIO Mix of three very traditional Peruvian dishes. Ceviche, mixed jelly and rice with seafood (seafood paella). $38

EMPANADES (2) $14 Filled with ground beef or chicken, onions, olives, hard-boiled eggs and raisins

SALCHIPAPA Fried slices of hot dog with french fries. $8

MIXED JELLY Fresh deep-fried fish, calamari, shrimp, and mussels served with fried yuca and salsa criolla. $26

DRINKS

BEAUTIFUL MEXICO Herradura tequila, lime juice, passion fruit, orange liquor. $15

SUNSET @ PIURA $14 Pisco Barsol Italia, mango and passion fruit puree, lime juice, grenadine.

Almost there:

I can only say that I highly recommend this place. It's very cozy and, above all, pleasant. And it's very pretty inside and out. I would definitely return, but this time with a...

Very very mixed review. I went here for my Graduation lunch as I had my ceremony rather early. It was on Mother’s Day. They said they were busy, but there were many empty tables beside us… so I’m not sure! Correct me if I’m wrong.

First of all, the service my party of six had was terrible. The staff was nice and kind but they were not attentive at all and on top of that it took them ages to bring us our food and we were asked several times whether or not we ordered whatever food was in the server’s hands. Our waiter came to us maybe twice — once to take our orders and a second time to bring us our beverages. With a large amount of time in between. Again, not attentive at all. We ordered appetizers and they came at the same time as our main courses. My dad ordered the same food as my grandma, but the waiter did not ask what temperature he wanted his steak done, so he received a well done steak without ever asking for one. And just the cherry on top — a MANDATORY 20% tip on a part of six or larger. I understand why, but if our service was great, then I wouldn’t be complaining. It’s like they knew that they were automatically getting a great tip so they didn’t even bother with us. Absolutely insane.

Nevertheless, my lomo saltado was very good, and we (for the most part) enjoyed our food. I would not come back because of the...