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Restaurant Review and Recipe
By Tom Findley, Editor, Silver Llama Dining Guide

Author and friends at Santa Lucía Restaurant

SANTA LUCIA
(Italian cuisine)
Atahualpa 195 Miraflores
Telephone: 446-5164

This restaurant has only been open a few months and is fast becoming one of my favorites. In fact I think it has the best pasta in all of Lima - and that is really saying something. The ravioli with rabbit or duck is just outstanding, for example, as is the pasta with artichokes. All of the pasta dishes that I've tried are light and not covered with heavy sauces as sometimes happens in restaurants in Lima. I've been to the place four times and recently tried one of the few steaks on the menu for some variety. It was very good and done to a perfect medium rare.

Appetizers are interesting and a dish of conchas (scallops) with a lima bean sauce was as good as it was unusual. Mozzarella cheese and tomatoes did not fare as well as the cheese was national, not imported, and lacked flavor and good texture. Herb bread is one of the highlights of any meal at Santa Lucia, just try to limit yourself! The wine list is ok but some bottles are a little over-priced. At one dinner the espresso was weak but I think the problem has been resolved. Service is good and the waitresses are young and enthusiastic.

The owner/chef Roberto is very helpful in explaining the menu and talking about his ideas about regional Italian food. He previously owned a restaurant called Dolce Vita de Miraflores in the early 90's before going to Santiago, Chile to open a restaurant. It's a good thing that he has returned to Lima. The restaurant is easy to find as it is on the first block of Atahualpa just off Pardo (although the street is one-way and you have to go around).

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