This was my first visit to a Peruvian restaurant, or a Peruvian anything, for that matter. I…read moreconfess to being unduly influenced by Miami Vice, especially Glenn Frey's "Smuggler's Blues". The TV series is long gone, and my attitude is now properly adjusted. The upper floor dining area can be reached by a magnificent staircase (or an elevator). The view outside is stunning at sunset, waves, beach, breakers and all. But be sure to be seated on the water side, because the parking lot dominates the view otherwise. Two dramatically lit bars are very eye-catching, one upstairs, the other down below. There is something about dining beneath a soaring cupola that is elegant beyond description. Soft music enhanced the mood. My order was BBQ Ribs ($19.00), nominally an appetizer, and a side of coconut rice ($6.00). The ribs were a very generous portion, tender, and glazed with a truly excellent BBQ sauce. Honestly, the glaze was better than I've had in restaurants specializing in ribs. The coconut rice was as good as I could imagine, perfectly steamed, and a generous portion to boot. The combination was mouth watering as well as satisfying. Peruvian beer, specifically Cuzquena Lager was the perfect libation. Karen C. was the server, and she displayed absolutely no characteristics of a Miami Vice villain. She was prompt, accurate and friendly. She did not need an attitude adjustment. The restaurant is a few miles north of HMB, and well worth the drive with a very adequate parking lot servicing the shopping center.

The atmosphere sitting outdoor was cozy because of the fire element which is why I gave it 2 star…read more The server, manager and food was unpleasant! I ordered the Loma Salado with meat rare and an egg on top, that's not what I got. The meat was well done, no egg and the sauce was sour. I was really surprised when it came right out in three minutes. They redid it for me, which was the right thing to do and I appreciated this. However, I had lost my appetite. The server said the manager was going to come out and talk to me. He came out, delivered my food with nothing to say and left. Then I gave my credit card to the server and told her that I'd like to pay for it, and if I can get it to go box - she had an off-putting unfriendly energy and her reaction expressed as if I was inconveniencing her, not welcoming and non-communicative. Moreover, the manager came back and handed me my receipt and credit card - still he did not say anything, but just placed it down on the table. I have never met a manager in my life who was taciturn, withdrawn and disconnected. It would be in his best interest to connect, communicate, stay consistent and problem solve when a customer has an issue. I limit my time in restaurants that does not provide a positive experience. I will not be returning to this business, simply for the reasons stated above, all need improvements. My dog did not even eat the steak and she loves steaks!

This was my first time trying Peruvian food and I was absolutely amazed…read more I started off with the Bomba Del Amor cocktail. It was delicious and not too sweet, still being able to taste a little liquor; I like when cocktails are a balance of sweetness and liquor. Not to mention the presentation was great. My mom and I then shared the ceviche mixta; it was a mix of white fish, shrimp and octopus. I only ate the white fish because I'm picky, but it tasted great in the soy/ginger sauce. The taro chips were a perfect addition to the dish. I then had the Caribbean Mule cocktail. I am also a big fan of that one! I'm so glad I got to try two different house cocktails. And finally, the Lomo Saltado. I could not get enough of this dish. The meat was perfectly tender, and the sauce was so good I had to eat it with the rice too. I don't usually like french fries that are too large and potato-y, but these fries were the perfect balance. I am very impressed and will definitely be returning. Thank you to our server Carlos for making sure our experience was perfect!

I would say overall this place is 4.5/5…read more Ambiance 3/5 Open seating and lots of tables but just like everyone else has said, it is noisy in restaurant so you have to actively listen and tall louder than normal Service 5/5 Gonzalo was our server and he was very good. Friendly and provided suggestions for all of us Food 4/5 Their version of paella was pretty good. My wife had the seafood version because she doesn't eat meat I had their Lomo Saltado which was good. Meat was cooked just right Forgot the name but it was an appetizer with chicken but the chicken was a little over cooked.

Awesome San'wiches, delicious Sauces, great Beer, superb staff :)…read more Tray the Guantanamo Sauce!!!

Parking could be a little tough if you're visiting during busy hours, but I arrived during a…read morenon-busy time and was seated right away. My coworker and I had just gotten off a long flight and decided to give this place a try, and it definitely did not disappoint! The food was authentic, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I had the Ropa Vieja, and it was so good! Definitely recommend giving this place a try, especially if you're looking for authentic, delicious food.

They didn't have lengua, my go to order, but it was an absolute hit. Asada never fails but, you…read moreshould always feel adventurous and try something new

The menu gives a breakfast/bruch kind of vibe. so it was nice going to eat here as soon as they…read moreopened. Location is hidden behind a tree and it's nice because it gives it a feel of "hidden away". It is a small but still spacious location. So much cute decorations on the wall that it truly feels like you are transported somewhere else. We got seated immediately as soon as we walked in. We got water for the table why we waited for the rest of the party. we ordered: -elote tots 10/10 they were so good and the tots gave it a nice crunchy feeling -Chilaquiles (no meat but yes egg) 10/10 they have red or green sauce we went with green -Pozole my tio always orders this anytime it's on the menu and he said it was great. -civiche de camaron 8/10 I enjoyed them but I wish they had a bit more flavor, I kept asking for peoples lime or hot sauce to give it just that extra flavor -Maz main my aunt said the salad alone was a bit dry and the dressing it came with thick like spread instead of dressing so she was just "ok" with it. They also have really good mocktails. Its a nice location that can please anyone that is pescatarian, vegetarian or willing to try something new with the different meat options

I ordered Lomo Saltado & Ceviche Mixto w/ Chips & Salsa…read more Highly recommend this place. Huge portions and delicious Peruvian food! $28 Lomo Saltado 8.5/10 The sauce is perfectly salted to eat with the rice and frites. Majority of the tenderloin was tender. Love the onions and tomatoes complimenting with more flavors to the dish. $24 Ceviche Mixto 8/10 A lot for one person but can't complain! Definitely a 2-3 person appetizer. Perfect starter since I was craving for ceviche. Fish was nicely tender. Nice chunky size for a nice bite. Everything tasted fresh. Slightly a little more acidic than I liked but I enjoyed it. Staff were friendly and made sure I was taken care of. Love the ambience and the vibes of the interior. Music spot on. I'll definitely comeback to try the Mariscada next time!

For legitimate Latin/Peruvian food, this is a great find. Everything we tried was solid. Highly…read morerecommend the yuca frites and chicharron de pollo (fried chicken) to share. Totopos Con Chile: B Chicharron de pollo: B+ Yuca frites: A Spinach and mushroom B Mariscada: B+ Service was just okay. They had live music on a Saturday night so the place was a vibe.

Incredible !!! The pupusas from here are out of this world!!! Not only are the pupusas full of…read morefilling and not just dough ... But, the curtido is perfect ! Nice and vinegar with salt. Delicious! The fried plantains were also delicious

This was some of the most bland mediocre food I've had in a long time. The papusas might be OK but…read moreI don't normally order them so can't form an opinion but the "fried chicken plate" - ew. The chicken was so overly roasted, I couldnt bite through the skin and the drum hardly had any meat left because it was so overcooked. The rice is edible despite lacking flavor and seasoning. Beans are whelp just beans. Hot sauce could have rescued some of this if it was basically thinner out water and some garlic. Guess a lime is all we get for the "salad" and good thing my hotel has plasticwear and napkins because those certainly didn't come along. $50 and I'll prob just toss most of this.

Excellent ceviche selection, nice presentation, laid-back vibe, friendly staff. The menu also…read moreincludes traditional, Mexican food, and a nice brunch menu..

Looking back on it now, it's kind of funny how I was somewhat hesitant to try Franco's Latin Table…read morethe first time my buddy suggested meeting up here. However, in my defense, he only referred to this place as "that Peruvian joint in West Portal" and I was still under the impression this was still Fresca's, which I had been underwhelmed by. However, once I realized they weren't one in the same, I definitely felt a bit more excited, especially given his strong recommendation. Although, it should be said that Franco's actually isn't all that different, though, it's definitely better! Inside, a lot about this place looks the same as when it was Fresca's - both good and bad. While the restaurant's decor and feel is still just as relaxed and cozy, it's also rather dated and worn, as evidenced by the strips of tape holding the booth cushions together. As for the menu, it's pretty similar as well, though, not as exclusively Peruvian, which isn't a bad thing. While the bulk of it is still made up of classic Peruvian dishes, like ceviches, empanadas, lomo saltado, and causas, it also has items like tostadas, pupusas, and birria tacos that originate from other Latin cuisines. Regardless of where they're from, though, there's no shortage of enticing options to choose from! -- EMPANADAS DE VEGETALES - Portobello Mushrooms, Chocio, Quinoa, Onions, and Bell Peppers Stewed in Aji Amarillo Cream Sauce...$12 I only tried a bit of this one, but it was really good. The empanada was golden brown and not at all doughy while the filling was so flavorful. I really like how there was a fair amount of mushrooms in it and the rest of the veggies weren't overcooked/mealy. -- YUCA FRITA with Aji Verde...$8 Funny enough, eating this reminded me that I should really get this more often! The batter was thin yet crispy and I liked how they tasted slightly earthy (in a good way). Plus, despite being a bit dense, they also had a nice sort of creaminess. -- BIRRIA TACOS - Slowly Stewed Beef with Dried Chiles and Spices, Melted Cheese, Cilantro, and a side of Consomme...$22 Not that I expected it to be bad, but it was a lot tastier than I thought it was going to be. Each taco was crispy, loaded with with tender chunks of beef, and had so much gooey cheese in them. Plus, while it wasn't even needed, the consomme was rich, tangy, and smoky - so good! -- TOTOPOS CON CHILE - Homemade Tortilla Chips Tossed in a Chile de Arbol Salsa Topped With Cojita Cheese, Crema, and Lime...$9 This essentially felt like eating the chips and salsa in a chilaquiles, but better. The chile de arbol salsa was super flavorful and I loved how crunchy the chips were, even towards the bottom. I just wish this had a bit more crema and cojita cheese in it. -- CHICHARON DE POLLO - Crispy Fried Chicken, Aji Amarillo, Salsa Criolla, and Five Spice Mayo...$12 I was cautiously optimistic for this dish, but, thankfully, it turned out great! The batter on the chicken wasn't too heavy and the meat itself was moist (not juicy, but moist). Plus, I lreally liked the pickled onions and the mayo dipping sauce, too. -- PESCADO & PAPAS - "Fish & Chips" Hand dipped in "Cuzquena" Beer Batter, Coleslaw, Handcut French Fries, and Huacatay Tartar Sauce...$24 I've had this twice and while it was great the first time, it was closer to "okay" the second. Both times, the fries were fine (a bit potato-y) and the fish itself was good, but this last time, while the batter was crispy on the outside, it was rather wet and soggy on the inside. -- ARROZ CON MARISCOS - Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Calamari, Scallops, and Fish with Aji Panca Rice, Cilantro, Green Peas, Peppers, and Salsa Criolla...$32 They may not have paella like how Fresca did, but no matter - this is actually better. The rice was really soft and I love how it soaked up all of the seafood flavors in the dish. The chunks of salmon, mussels, and scallops were probably my favorites, but all of the seafood was fresh. Beyond the food, the service here has been mostly fine, other than one minor hiccup. Every time, the workers have all been friendly and I appreciate how they have been more than happy to answer any of the questions we've had. However, there was one time where one of the servers tried to take away our Totopos Con Chile even though we still had a few pieces left of it. Also, there was a stretch during our meal where it felt like we had been forgotten about, but, to be fair, I imagine it was more due to them trying to sort out what the large party next to us had ordered than anything else. Even though my more recent experience with their Pescado & Papas may not have gone nearly as well as the first, it doesn't change the fact that the vast majority of everything else I've tried has been more than solid. Given that as well as how I'm curious to try their brunch menu and some of their other offerings, it's more than a safe bet that I'll be coming back to Franco's again sooner rather than later!

Visited Chico Marx for dinner with a friend while I was staying in a nearby hotel before an early…read moreflight out of SFO. It was initially hard to find a restaurant in this area -- as many seemed to be food trucks, or close early, and/or were difficult to access from the hotel/pharma block. Fortunately, this establishment was conveniently situated in a nearby office building. I was hesitant but, upon entering, the mixture of lighting, live plants, leather seating, and a giant tile mosaic brightened the space alongside appropriately friendly staff. It'd be hard to believe anything could brighten up a cold grey cement building but they did a great job and making the space feel wildly inviting, lively, and even cozy! The dining experience was slow paced and very European, which I appreciated. I felt like we were able to enjoy our meal without being rushed along. We started off with the braised beef empanadas that we ate too quickly for me to photograph! They had a light tender puff pastry exterior filled with juicy braised beef that was perfectly accented by the bright chimichurri (that we generously spooned inside with the beef). Next, we had the Lomo saltado and the lentil and cod entrees. The tender juicy Lomo had a nice balance of fresh veggies along with the beef, potatoes, and rice! The cod was perfectly pan-seared with a crisp, well-seasoned exterior, hey smooth buttery interior atop fragrant green lentils, tender potatoes, and greens. The pickled onions and grilled Lemon, were the perfect garnish. This was served with a hearty grilled whole grain bread lightly drizzled with extra virgin olive oil which was a really nice balance to soak up the soupy bits of bright citrus, earthy lentils, buttery fish, and tangy pickled onions! (This was a great twist on a classic Spanish dish that is traditionally made with lentils and salt cod) I was craving a sweet treat, so we also ordered the chocolate mousse which was made with honey and chipotle and topped with fresh mint and sliced strawberries! This was not too heavy, like some mousse can be -- it was a nice, light, whipped, chocolate treat to wrap up the meal. Don't be scared away by the business park location... This place is a real gem full of modern interpretations of various Latin-American favorites.

Service was disjointed and pushy throughout the casual Friday lunch. Menu was very unclear about…read moreallergies and contents - "short rib" everything thought it was beef but ended up being pork. Our waiter took our order piecemeal (first order of just water), prioritized other tables seated after us, and pushed aggressively for extra dishes while ignoring specific requests - never received hot pepper or sauce request. Mains took over an hour to arrive. The food itself was a mix of highs and lows. The pan-seared fish with lentils looked great, but the portion was small and so heavily over-salted that it left us parched long after leaving. Desserts were equally hit or miss. The chocolate mousse was exceptional, rich and creamy without being overpowering, while the churros were terrible, resembling dry, oil-soaked breadsticks paired with an overly sweet chocolate sauce. Poor pacing and inattentive service make this hard to recommend.

I've known about this place since their Menlo Park days, having attended one of their cooking…read moreclasses back then. It's been a pleasure to see them continue their tradition here in Belmont. The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, which makes it perfect for a nice dinner. What impresses me most is the quality of their food--it's consistently excellent, and honestly, every dish I've ordered has been a delight. Considering the high standard of both the cuisine and the service, it's also very reasonably priced. It's a wonderful local gem, and I'm always happy to come back.

Food is great here (and probably one of the few places to get authentic ish tapas around here). And…read moredrinks are decent (with some caveats). Now that that's out of the way: they charge a huge service fee (it says on the menu it's 20% but mine was higher than that). And then you get taxed on the service fee when you wouldn't be on a tip -- in other words they are making you pay their taxes. It's just cheap, cheating behavior and can't support that regardless of the quality of the food. And it's very noticeable that the service is slow / doesn't really care what you think. That made a lot more sense in retrospect when I saw the huge service charge.

24k burrito was gas... It def wasn't a typical burrito! rice was replaced w tater tots but so yum…read more Loved the garlic prawn! Quesabirria was yummy! loved all the fillings. Not the absolute best one l've had but still good taquitos were delicious!!! Chicken inside was so tender Guac was yummy! Wish it was a bit chunkier but that's just personal preference. The chips were rly good. Horchata was def my fav drink! Sooo good and I feel like alot of places make it so grainy Service was fantastic and great open space.

A little overhyped or maybe it's because I didn't want to spend $17.95 for the 24K California…read moreBurrito? Still, I think it's a solid spot for burritos and birria. I recommend ordering online because it's a literally a hole in the wall spot. There's no seating, so it's basically a grab and go type of place. I got the Suavecitto Burrito with Al Pastor and it made for a delicious meal. It's a pretty hefty burrito, so you'll definitely be stuffed if you eat it in one sitting. I also tried some of my friends' quesabirrias and they were pretty good as well. I would come back and maybe I'll try the 24K California Burrito if someone is willing to split it with me!