We decided to try this tiny Guemes hole-in-the-wall based on Lonely Planet's strong recommendation…read more While it didn't quite live up to their glowing review, this is a fun neighborhood joint and a good choice if you're looking for a seafood alternative to all the beef, beef, beef.
A small Peruvian restaurant, Punta Sal has just a handful of tables inside and no outdoor seating. Like most other places we went to, it was empty at the touristy hour of 9 pm, so we had our choice of walk-in seating. There's colorful art on the walls and, of course, excellent people-watching if you sit by the window, which I recommend.
LP mentioned an extensive menu, but when we were there, it was only about eight dishes or so and fit easily on a small chalkboard on the wall (see photo). The wine selection is similarly limited, but they have a few red and white wines. We tried the ceviche mixto and the lomo saltado, typical Peruvian dishes. The ceviche was a hearty mound of fish, shrimp, and squid (?) served with a chunk of very good sweet potato, white beans, and those crunchy corn kernels. It has a VERY strong, sour lime flavor, so be prepared for some serious tartness! The lomo saltado was a good-sized portion and well prepared.
Our server didn't really speak English, so you should be ready to order in Spanish here or at least point at what you want. We muddled through with our basic Spanish and our server was friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable, and I have the feeling that the place gets more lively at an Argentine dining hour. It's a nice place for a fresh, healthy-feeling chicken or fish dinner, located in a fun and hipstery neighborhood for strolling and browsing.
