Although we celebrated our nation’s independence earlier this month, Peruvians are getting ready to celebrate theirs on July 28. And Miami’s leading Peruvian restaurant La Mar by Gastón Acurio {Mandarin Oriental Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358} is celebrating in style with a weeklong roster of culinary events and specials.
The festivities begin this Sunday, July 26, from noon until 3:30pm, with a special Paella Brunch featuring live Peruvian music; a live-action paella station of Arroz con Pato, made with confit duck, black beer, squash, corn cider, and cilantro; a Cebiche Bar with a delicious selection of seafood cebiches, causas, tiraditos, and Peruvian-style sushi rolls; and an Anticucho Bar that will offer hot specialties such as Grilled Anticucho Skewers, empanadas, sliders, and whole fish. Guests will also enjoy their choice of one Peruvian entrée specialty, Chaufa Aeropuerto for the table, unlimited brunch cocktails, and decadent desserts.
For the rest of the week, diners can order off of Chef Diego Oka’s exclusive dinner menu that pays homage to traditional Andean cooking and the centuries of culinary fusion that have influenced modern Peruvian cuisine. Through August 1, Chef Oka will present festive family-style platters that will include Piqueo Frio with Cebiche Mixto, Causa Cangrejo, and Seafood Jalea, and Piqueo Caliente with Anticucho de Corazon, Aji de Gallina Empanadas, and Yuca with Ocopa Sauce.
The flavorful dishes can be paired with La Mar’s special Peruvian Independence Day cocktails: the cucumber-basil Albahaca Pisco, the refreshing Eucalyptus Mule, and the Tiki Limeño with spicy-infused Pisco, rum, gin, passionfruit, fresh citrus, Falernum liqueur, and nutmeg.
On July 28, the live band will return, providing a fun, celebratory atmosphere all in honor the country’s 194 years of independence.
By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor