I’m a big believer in fate and this belief was certainly proved right when a friend and I had planned to have dinner at Roka, but as we met pretty early so when we got to the restaurant they weren’t actually open for service yet. So we randomly walked into Lima and had the whole restaurant to ourselves for a good part of the evening.
I’m a huge fan of Peruvian food and I’ve been to Lima London’s counterpart restaurant in Covent Garden Lima floral before but I must’ve forgotten how good the food was. Busy chatting away we finally managed order and out came the flurry of dishes.
But first mocktails …
Admittedly only got this mocktail because it was pink and sounded pretty but was genuinely really nice..kind of bitter sweet if you’re into that.
While we decided on what to eat, we got some purple corn bread to taste. Actually purple.. this picture doesn’t even do the colour justice.
Starters came out – I got the Tuna Nikkei and my friend got the King Crab Causa
The Tuna Nikkei which is chunks of yellowfish tuna ceviche was beautiful! It was as if an array of flavours exploded in my mouth… the large chunks of tuna were cooked to perfection, the sauce it came in was tangy and had just the right amount of kick to it.
The King Crab Causa was so beautifully presented and the combination of crisp and smooth was just right.
Next we had mains although at this point I was so satisfied with the tuna, I could have had dessert and gone home..
I got the black cod for mains.. now when I think black cod, I think sweet juicy flavours. But this black cod was so different to what I was expecting, I don’t think I’ve ever had cod like this. It was tender and somewhat sweet but not to the extent that most places make black cod, most interestingly it sat in a bed of corn sauce, which made for a combination that I loved but at the same time wasn’t sure about. Question is – was I disappointed that I didn’t get what I was expecting or did I not enjoy the meal? Definitely the latter – I think when you expect something to be a certain way it can be pleasantly surprising to let your senses take over and just discover what could possibly be a beautiful thing. Note to self – lessen the expectations!
My friend got the Hot Scallop Ceviche and homygawd! I always think back to the best scallops I have had (at Zuma, Knightsbridge) and always believed nothing could come close to them. In taste, these didn’t, but there was something so different about the flavours that this dish was creating in your pallet, the mix of flavours coming through with a kick of chilli at the end. Absolute perfection. (There’s a reason Lima is a Michelin Starred restaurant!)
Now you all know I can’t leave a restaurant without dessert, the meal just feels incomplete. So we got dessert..
I got the Dulce de Leche. As you all know, I’m a HUGE dessert fan, so to disappoint me on that front takes a lot! But with this dessert, it was past disappointment, I literally could not have more than a small bite of this. The texture was grainy almost sand like, and if that wasn’t enough the taste made me think I was actually eating sand! The only saving grace were the teenie tiny meringues and raspberries!
My friend made a wiser decision than I did and got the Amazonian Chocolate
1) it looked beautiful!!
2) it was purple!
3) creamy parfait with Amazonian chocolate and blue potato crisps.. the combination was, again, unexpected but the contrast of the parfait and the rich chocolate was interesting yet satisfying.
Overall, I felt that Lima London makes me fall in love with Peruvian food over and over again. From the presentation to the service to the explosion of flavours, it was all great. The best thing about it is, you don’t even feel like you’re in a Michelin starred restaurant, the atmosphere is casual-chic and the staff are so helpful. The dessert was definitely a let down for me, but maybe it’s an acquired taste. (Maybe don’t order the Dulce de Leche and you’ll be fine!)
Food – 9 out of 10
Service – 8 out of 10
Atmosphere – 7 out of 10
Experience – 7 out of 10
Overall, giving Lima London a total TLH score of 8 out of 10.
Address: 31 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1JH
Website: https://www.limalondongroup.com/fitzrovia
Halal Status: Halal chicken and lamb can be pre ordered with 48 hours notice, although alcohol is served.
Closest Station: Goodge Street (Northern line) or Tottenham Court Road (Central or Northern Line)
Have you been to Lima London? Let me know your thoughts!
Lots of love,
TLH x