Quinua A Taste of Peru 🇵🇪 | Seafood Restaurant | Petaluma — Restaurant in Petaluma

This was one of the two great meals I've had in Petaluma restaurants and possibly in the top five ever. It remains a clear impression some months later.

The overly loud industrialish sign over the kitchen area didn't promise me much. The decor is decent without being memorable. But hey, I go to restaurants for the food.

After making sure that the fish special was actually fresh, I ordered it medium rare with a vegetable side dish. I had never heard of the type of fish, and when I just checked, it was not on the current menu.

The fish was not only blazingly fresh, it was cooked to perfection, juicy and delicious. It was like hitting a three- pointer from mid-court behind your back, in the dark, all net. Or like seeing Yosemite for the first time (or the tenth).

Not to be outdone in the least, the generously portioned mixed vegetable bowl was in a class of its own. This was hands-down the finest vegetable dish I have had anywhere, including my own kitchen. The subtle sauce defied my tongue's ambition to identify its constituents. Simply fantastic.

Regrettably, our server recommended a fruit-based ice cream dessert with the promise of it being superb. Whether it was the maracuya, the lucuma, or another, I don't recall, but it definitely was not all that. It was only fair and overly sweet to my taste buds. But the dinner was awesome.

As a critical esthete, I'm not easily given to this sort of praise, but when it is this deserved, I have no reservations about giving it. May they live long...

For my fiance's birthday dinner..I treated him to authentic Peruvian Food at this INCREDIBLE place I found in Petaluma!! :-)

For Appetizers, we ordered Yuca Frita(Fried Yucca.. very pop post fried root of the Cassava served with two different hot chili sauces!!) Mmmmm

And Causa de Pollo( Yellow potatoe Cake inspired by the land of Incas. Peruvian yellow pepper, avocado, and lime stuffed with chicken salad and red pepper.. Seasoned with a Criollo touch to steal your heart)

And for entrees we ordered Aji de Gallina (Chicken breasts in creamy sauce Aji Amarillo, eggs and olives served over boiled potatoes and white rice)

And veggie Arroz Chaufa ( Peruvian style Chinese fried rice cooker in high flame wok with eggs, green onions, Ginger, soy sauce, red onions, yellow summer squash, zucchini, cilantro, and Peruvian orange peppers)

And for dessert.. Helado de Yucuma!! Pouteria lucuma (lúcuma) is a subtropical fruit native to the Andean valleys and produced in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. It was wonderful.. tasted like a cross of butterscotch and Maca!!

Everything was HEAVENLY AND soooooo Mouth watering..OMG.. SO...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Hidden Gem in Petaluma!

Quinua: A Taste of Peru is an absolute treat! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm hospitality and the inviting aroma of authentic Peruvian cooking. The seafood here is incredibly fresh, the ceviche is easily one of the best I’ve had in the Bay Area, bursting with bright citrus flavor and perfectly balanced spice.

Every dish feels crafted with care and pride, from the lomo saltado to the aji de gallina, and you can really taste the authenticity in every bite. The portions are generous, the presentation is beautiful, and the atmosphere is cozy yet vibrant, perfect for a casual dinner or a special night out.

The staff are friendly and attentive, always ready with recommendations or a quick smile. You can tell they genuinely care about sharing real Peruvian flavors with the community.

Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking to try something new, Quinua is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be coming back for more, especially for that ceviche and a refreshing chicha...