Astrid & Gastón
Cantuarias 175, Miraflores
Phone 444-1496
Open Mon-Sat 12.30-3pm and 7.30pm to midnight
Credit V Mc Di AmEx
Price $$$-$$$$

When Astrid & Gastón was founded in 1994 by husband-and-wife couple Gastón Acurio and Astrid Gutsche, the restaurant's cuisine was largely French. Both chef-owners had studied in Paris' Cordon Bleu (Gastón specialized in salt-dishes, Astrid in patisserie) and spent some years working in the Ville Lumière. Gradually, though, as they rediscovered Peruvian flavours and culinary traditions, the kitchen began to incorporate local dishes and ingredients, moving towards the current sophisticated Criollo concept that characterizes the restaurant today.

In any case, regardless of this evolution -or precisely because of it-, consider Astrid & Gastón one of the highest notes in the Peruvian culinary scene.

The elegant yet warm restaurant occupies a charming colonial house, with pumpkin-coloured walls and an open kitchen where Gastón and his team can be seen cooking.

Some excellent dishes include foie gras, mango and banana skewers with a chancaca (cane syrup) sauce, duck magret over lúcuma (eggfruit) purée, or a tiradito of tuna and tumbo (a native Peruvian fruit similar to passion fruit) with shellfish rolls marinated in pisco. Equally amazing Astrid's infinite dessert list, with such delights as membrillo (quince) sushi stuffed with tumbo and a lúcuma terrine. The bar has an amazing assortment of piscos and pisco cocktails, making it a good idea to arrive in advance for an exciting aperitif.

Gastón's low-key charm and gastronomic passion has led him to host a handful of culinary TV shows, in particular one that involves travelling around Peru to research and rediscover local flavours. The restaurant success has led them to open in Santiago de Chile (where it is considered the best restaurant in town) and recently in Bogotá.

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