Head chef Sergio Arocas brings back a modern taste of Lima to Fitzrovia following a pilgrimage to Peru
From 12th March, head chef Sergio Arocas will launch a brand new menu at Lima London inspired by his recent food pilgrimage to Peru. Spending time with renowned chef Virgilio Martinez at Central and exploring the food markets and cevicherias of Lima, Sergio brings a fresh, new roster of dishes to Fitzrovia that represent the modern-day taste of the capital.
Taking over the reins from former head chef, Robert Ortiz, Sergio’s new menu maintains the refined yet approachable style for which Lima is renowned, overseen by General Manager, Ed Scothern. Dishes combine ingredients native to South America with seasonal produce found in the British Isles, and pay homage to the historic import routes that influence Peru’s diverse food culture.
To start, snacks such as Wagyu beef nigiri and prawn tostada nikkei have clear ties with the Far East while anticucho eggplant is a nod to the popular, inexpensive street food dish that originated in Peru. Traditionally using beef heart, here the dish is served with aubergine, anticucho sauce and topped with a rocoto pepper mayonnaise.
Ceviche is an essential part of the starter menu with three variations including scallops ( avocado, yuyo seaweed and chia seeds) and vegetable roots ( agi mirasol tiger’s milk, heritage carrots, ocas, tubers and quinoa) . The classic seabream has been given an additional theatrical twist topped with a vibrant sweet potato crisp to crack before enjoying the rest of the dish beneath, made with traditional tiger’s milk,sweet potato and canchita corn.
The theatre continues through to the main course with selected dishes such as Andean turbot served with sauce of apple custard fruit, Huacatay (black mint sauce) and plantain, poured at the table. In addition, long-standing customers will be delighted to see the signature 24 hour slow-cooked suckling pig with blue potato mash and yellow aji gel as well as the beef pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian stew
topped with smoked aji mirasol and ricotta.
As seasons change, the menu will continue to refresh, making the most of seasonal ingredients and showcasing the very best produce from Peru and the UK throughout the year.
For the indecisive few, guests have the option of choosing the Peru Experience menu with the chef’s selection of 8 dishes that epitomises the very best of seasonal produce of the time, reflecting the international trade routes into Peru. (£45pp at lunch everyday / £65pp at dinner Sunday-Thursday)
Stay tuned for the launch of Lima London’s first ever brunch with traditional Peruvian dishes, perfect for family-style dining.
Lima London
31 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1JH
Tel: 020 3002 2640
Opening hours 12-2:15pm, 5:30-10:30pm (Monday-Saturday) and 12-12:15pm, 5:30-9:30pm (Sunday)