Lima (Peru) - culinary delight

It is probably worth couching this entire entry with the observation that I have been eating, for the last year, in some of the world's culinary low-spots. From the rice and beans of Central America, to Colombia's greasy fair, it is not like I arrived in Peru from Tuscany. However, the leap in cooking standards was marked.

My favourite restaurant, with four seperate visits, was El Muelle: a feast of seafood brilliance. Here for just over $10, two or three people could share a huge platter of ceviche, octopus salad, deep fried calamari, seafood rice, dressed scallops and a few other things I couldn't really describe. Arguably the best food I have eaten in 12 months. Naturally it was all best washed down with a bottle of Inka Cola.

I also visited one branch of the Rustica chain which specialises in Peruvian staples. At a buffet there, I tried probably 25 different entrees and main courses (none of which I knew the names), plus the stock dessert: arroz con leche (rice pudding) served with mazamorra morada (erm... like a fruit jam jelly).

Otherwise, the standard Latin American 'menu del dia' is also offered here in Peru (soup, main course, desert and a drink). Except that here is a treat with a huge variety of options, rather than a necessity of a limited budget. All in all, any thoughts I had of a South American themed restaurant have been quickly reduced to a Peruvian one. Just need to learn how to cook it.