Jalea Bistro. — Restaurant in Saint Charles

We made reservations for a Friday and drove to Jalea from St. Louis (experience in January 2023).

When we arrived, we were a literal couple minutes late to our reservation due to parking. The staff saw us come in but no one acknowledge us for quite some time.

The space is really small/ intimate so you can only stand in the slightly gradient entryway awkwardly and wait. Finally someone came over and we told them about our reservation. They then awkwardly fumbled around and told us we would need to wait a moment. So we did. They then left and came back about 10 min later to seat us at one of the few tables that were already ready for guests (meaning no one cleaned these tables to prepare our spot- they were already ready). Kinda awkward first impression 🤷‍♀️

I could continue to explain the awkwardness of the staff and general lack of understanding towards service professionalism. But I won’t.

The menu is small and offers little to choose from, as a whole. We knew that when making the reservations. But the lack of creativity and flavor in such a small menu was not expected.

The Classico ceviche was slightly above average. Although the presentation was good, the favors and harmony missed the mark. My partner tried some and said it was the worst ceviche he ever had. We have eaten Peruvian ceviche in Aruba and other places that really made the Jalea version very unimpressive.

We both ordered Chaufa (Vegetarian and Aeropuerto). Bad mistake. This was just a run of the mill fried rice but marked up 400% of the cost. There was nothing special or remarkable about it at all.

The cocktails were really sweet but overall effective. And the drink menu was pretty good overall, based on the selections. Not sure about the weird complimentary Peruvian Corn but it was nearly inedible.

I give this 4 stars because it is probably in the top 10% of restaurants in Saint Charles- which is not really saying a lot. I think if they were in another location then it would not be as popular or “acclaimed”.

We...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Jalea Peruvian Bistro, and it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality from the husband-and-wife team who own the restaurant. Their attentiveness and delightful demeanor made us feel right at home.

We started our meal with fresh salads that were vibrant and flavorful, setting a delightful tone for the evening. To our surprise, they also served us delicious Peruvian popcorn at the beginning, which was a fun and tasty treat that whetted our appetites.

Next, we indulged in the Ceviche Caretillero, which was a standout dish. The freshness of the fish combined with the zesty marinade and crispy calamari made it a refreshing choice that truly captured the essence of Peruvian cuisine.

For the main course, we ordered the Lomo Saltado and it did not disappoint. The tender beef was perfectly sautéed with onions and tomatoes, served over a bed of fluffy rice. Each bite was a harmonious blend of flavors that left us wanting more.

To complement our meal, we were served a delicious drink with a hint of cinnamon, which added a unique twist and enhanced the overall dining experience. As if that wasn’t enough, we were treated to a wonderful complimentary dessert that was the perfect sweet ending to our meal.

Overall, Jalea Peruvian Bistro exceeded our expectations with its delicious food, warm atmosphere, and exceptional service. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to explore the...

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Jalea, an upscale Peruvian restaurant in the St Charles Historic Main Street district. The restaurant is located in a cozy space with high ceilings and windows facing Main Street. The menu features a variety of traditional Peruvian dishes, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. We started our meal with three Para Picar (snacks). The Yuca Fries, Plantain Chips and Tocto Arequipenos (pork rinds) each of which came with a separate dipping sauce. The starters are a bargain with options priced between $4 and $6. My wife had the Ceviche Mixto, which was a fresh and flavorful mix of shrimp, tender octopus and the catch of the day. For my main course, I had the Pork Belly Carapulcra, which was tender braised pork belly served with traditional potato-bacon stew and garlic rice. Portions are generous and menu items change seasonally. The service at Jalea was impeccable, and our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and eager to make recommendations. Some of the prices at Jalea are on the higher end, but the quality of the food and service is worth it. The restaurant is a great option for a special occasion or romantic dinner. Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience at Jalea. The food was excellent, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was perfect. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a special dining experience. Reservations...