Peruvian food is becoming the Mexican food alternative in Orange County! Popping up in mom & pop restaurants across the county, Peruvian food is perfect for people who like their food on the less-spicy side.
We caught up with the original OC Peruvian chef, Renzo Macchiavello, to see what he’s been up to and how his new restaurant in Lake Forest, Renzo’s Taste of Peru, is doing.
Download the Shop & Dine Lake Forest app here & get a FREE kids meal at Renzo’s Taste of Peru!
From Peru to OC
Renzo has a long history working as executive chef’s all along the California coast from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Orange County. Originally from Peru he set his sights on bringing Peruvian coastal cuisine to America.
Renzo has had restaurants all over Orange County and he recently opened up a Peruvian kitchen in Lake Forest. Noticing a lack of Latin American cuisine in the city, Renzo’s is the perfect balance of laid-back atmosphere and authentic coastal Peruvian food.
Renzo holds many accolades and awards. He has multiple Celebrity Chef awards, Chef’s Cuisine Association of California awards and Exotic Epicurean Artistry awards. Renzo has no plans of slowing down.
Download the Shop & Dine Lake Forest app here & get a FREE kids meal at Renzo’s Taste of Peru!
Buen Provecho
Renzo’s menu consists of Peruvian staples like lomo saltado (steak strips, onions, tomatoes, fries and rice,) Salchipapas (sausage and french fries,) and Chicharron de Pollo (deep fried chicken breast tossed in lime juice and oriental spices, served with fried rice and two fried wontons.)
The menu also has some exotic dishes like Ceviche mixto (Corvina fish, shrimp, calamari, mussels and octopus marinated in lime juice, aji limo,garlic and cilantro, complimented with sweet potato and Peruvian corn,) Choripollo sandwich (Peruvian style sausage and chicken topped with onions, shoestring potatoes, scallions, mayonnaise and spicy sauce,) and chicha! Chicha is a purple juice made form Peruvian purple corn!
Download the Shop & Dine Lake Forest app here & get a FREE kids meal at Renzo’s Taste of Peru!
Sauce
Renzo created his menu from scratch and he would do the same for sauces. Knowing the perfect sauce could exist, he set out to create it!
Try Renzo’s Peruvian Chile Green Sauce on anything! We tried it on the lomo saltado, salchipapas and even the corn and it was delicious!
The legend goes that after a long day of surfing Renzo dreamt of being shacked by a giant chili pepper. During the dream the greatest sauce recipe ever was revealed to him. When he awoke he was so scared he had to share the recipe.
Don’t believe it? Come talk to Renzo and find out for yourself!
Download the Shop & Dine Lake Forest app here & get a FREE kids meal at Renzo’s Taste of Peru!
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