Review: Dinner @ Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse, Cusco

Once back at Cusco, our G Adventures guide took us to Uchu, a Peruvian Steakhouse.  It was a busy place, and the first thing that you noticed when you enter the restaurant is being hit by a wall of smoke.  Because the restaurant is a cook-at-your-table concept, and there isn't quite enough ventilation, there is a constant plum of smoke circling round.

Our guide had pre-ordered us the Peruvian delicacy… roasted guinea pig (aka "guy").  Once we sat down we were presented with what looks like a small suckling pig with a cherry tomato to act as a helmet.  Cute!  The taste though wasn't that great.  The meat is similar to chicken, but tougher and gamier.  I'm not entirely sure if I'm supposed to eat the skin, but it was tough enough that I left it alone.  Oh well, at least now I can say I have tried Guinea Pig AND Alpaca meat!

I still wasn't feeling too good from my food poisoning from PapaCho's, so opted for one of their broths for dinner.  I ordered the Sopa Criolla de Costilla, which is essentially lamb rib stock with spaghetti.  It was surprisingly delicious, deep with flavour, and presented in a stone bowl, which reminded me of Korean hot stone bowls (dolsot).  Mmmm this meal really hit the spot for me.

Summary

• The Bottom Line: along with Aguamente, this is one of my top restaurants in Cusco!  A must try.
• Score: 9.8/10
• 5/5 for food
• 5/5 for value (S.25 for the soup)
• 2/2 for service
• 1.75/2 for seating environment
• 1/1 for hitting the spot

Guy, aka guinea pig

Sopa Criolla de Costilla

Anticuchera

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• Guide to Peru
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Review: Aguas Calientes, Peru

Aguas Calientes is a unashamedly touristy.  This small town is on a serious incline, so be prepared to work out those thighs and butts!  Everywhere you go it's going to be a workout. 

Once we got off the train, we, along with with our backpacks, began a very long and very uphill walk to our hotel.  I was glad that we didn't have our luggage with us (our G Adventures guide told us to leave them in Cusco and take an overnight pack instead), as that would have made an already arduous climb even more painful.

Once we arrived at the hotel and checked in, it was free wandering time.  We visited the city square, took the touristy picture with the statue of Pachacutec, and our friends walked on to the thermal baths.  The feedback I got from them is a do not go - apparently it was gross and dirty.

Unlike in Ollantaytambo, there isn't much to see here. As the gateway to Machu Picchu, the streets are lined with restaurants and hotels.

Summary

• Bottom Line: It makes sense to stay here for the evening before heading to Machu Picchu. No need to stay more than overnight though.
• Score: 7/10

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• 8 Days Machu Pichu Trip Report
• Guide to Peru

Lunch @ Hot Springs II, Aguas Calientes

After our long walk in Machu Pichu, we were getting both tired and hungry, so sitting down at Hot Springs II was a welcomed treat.

The restaurant is located close to the train station and the bus stop.  If possible, ask for a table at the back of the restaurant, where the floor to ceiling glass windows offer a gorgeous view of the mountains.  I still was recovering from my stomach bug, so again, could only order pasta with meat sauce.  Although simple, it was pretty delicious, and I enjoyed it even with my wooziness.

We hung around the restaurant for the remainder of the afternoon while waiting for our train back to Cusco.  While waiting, we were told that the entire town's water supply has been interrupted, which is ironic because Aguas Calientes translates to Hot Water!

Summary

• Bottom Line: good clean restaurant with great view of the mountains.
• Score: 8.8/10
• 4/5 for food quality
• 3.75/5 for value
• 2/2 for seating environment
• 2/2 for service
• 1.5/2 for hitting the spot

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• 8 Days Machu Pichu Trip Report
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Review: Ollantaytambo Temple

Ollantaytambo temple is the main attraction for the town.  Perched above and a little off the town center, it offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.  There are a lot of steps to get to the unfinished Temple of the Sun, but it's worth the climb to see this masterpiece of Inca stonework.  Go slow, take lots of breaks, bring a hat and screen screen, and have a good time!

We arrived here in the afternoon, and got to see the sun starting to set.  It was simply gorgeous and breath-taking.

Summary

• Bottom Line: worth a visit, great view of the town.
• Score: 9/10

Related Posts

• Peru Guide
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Review: Lunch @ Hearts Cafe, Ollantaytambo

Because of my stomach problems, I decided against going with the group to the Patachanka hike.  Instead, I headed to town by myself and, at the recommendation of the hotel, went to Hearts Cafe.

Hearts cafe was founded by a retired Brit who founded her own charity.  The restaurant serves organic meals and specializes in vegetarian fare.  Profits go to the Living Hearts NGO.

The restaurant is two storeys that serves primarily sandwiches and soups.  I wasn't feeling well, so had a clear broth soup and a simple sandwich.  Overall, the experience was decent - not terrible, but not great either. But the restaurant is for a good cause, so I'm happy to dine here.

Summary

• Bottom Line: Average, not that good.
• Score: 7.3/10
• 3/5 for food
• 5/5 for value
• 2/2 for seating environment
• 1/2 for service
• 0/1 for hitting the spot

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• Guide to Peru
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Review: Inka Paradise Hotel, Ollantaytambo

We arrived at Inka Paradise hotel in the early afternoon afternoon, and was instantly impressed.  It's a basic hotel, not extravagant or luxurious by any means, but there is a nice quiet courtyard in the middle that's very peaceful and makes you feel like you're in someone's home.  The rooms are simple but clean, and you can smell the fresh mountain air.

Breakfast is also included, but because I had a stomach bug, I wasn't feeling hungry that day and didn't eat any.

Summary

• Bottom Line: great stay, one of my favourite hostels in Peru.
• Score: 8/10

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• Guide to Peru
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Review: Dinner @ Sushi Bong, North York

In an effort to lose my post-vacation (not post-baby!) weight, I've been trying to exercise more, and one incentive that I found works for me is to jog to a diner.  You could say that the promise of food is my biggest incentive.  It was on one such evening jogging excursion that we visited Sushi Bong.

Because the restaurant is relatively small, and seem to cater for take-out, I only ordered the cooked rolls (wasn't comfortable enough to order raw fish).  

The food exceeded my expectations.  For $20, we got three HUGE rolls.  This is definitely catered towards customers with value in mind.  The one thing that I didn't like, or perhaps I just wasn't used to it, was that they put sesame seeds on top of the rolls. I didn't really like the taste.

I wouldn't mind trying out their sushi rolls next time.  Will mostly likely return.

What was ordered

• 4/5 good
• Dynamite roll ($6.11)
• 3/5 average
• Spider roll ($9.98)
• Unagi Special ($6.99)

Summary

• The Bottom Line: cheap take-out menu
• Score: 3.5/5
• Address: 15 Northtown Way, North York (SE of Yonge & Finch)

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Review: Dinner @ LHL Seafood Restaurant, Scarborough

LHL Seafood (I wonder what LHL stands for?) is one of the recommended restaurants from my dad.  He really likes to come here with his friends for dim sum or dinner.

On his recommendation, we came here one evening to try their Peking duck.  The restaurant is located on the 2nd (or was it 3rd?) floor of a mall, which is great because there is plenty of underground parking, and I can see this being an advantage on a cold winter night.

There was a wedding that evening when we went, so we had to go around the front entrance and enter in from the side so as not to disturb the wedding.  Unfortunately, the only washroom in the restaurant is within the wedding area, so we had to awkwardly pass by all the wedding guests to use the WC.  And speaking of the WC, wow it is really in some desperate need for renovations… not only was it worn out and smelly, the lock on the door fell out so you have to keep one hand on the stall door while you do your business. Not. Cool.

The food themselves are not that great either.  Everything is on the oily side, and the Peking duck wraps were small, dried and shrivelled up.  The one good dish that I would recommend is the HK Style stir fry lobster with generous portions of garlic.

I really couldn't bring myself to recommend this place.  I am assuming that the price is good, or that it is at a very convenient location, because otherwise I'm not sure who would ever come here.

What was ordered

• 4/5 good
• HK style stir fry lobster with garlic
• 3/5 average
• Peking duck
• Steamed chicken

Summary

• The Bottom Line: cheap, but food is oily.
• Score: 3/5
• Address: Oriental Center, 4438 Sheppard Avenue East

Peking Duck

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• Guide to GTA where to eat and things to do

Review: Dinner @ Jerusalam Restaurant, North York

The company that I'm with likes to schedule periodic team building dinner events.  It was on such one occasion that I came to Jersusalem Restaurant for a week night dinner buffet.  The restaurant, located on Leslie north of Sheppard, is located at the same plaza as a Shoppers Drug Mart.

Once you step inside the restaurant, you'll be greeted with a unique layout.  It is styled with an inner courtyard, with a central atrium where natural light gently cascades into the seating area via a sunroof.  There are some indoor trees that act as decorations to further enhance the indoor courtyard theme.

The restaurant was pretty empty, with only a few tables full.  Dinner is a buffet style, and the food was mediocre    There were salads, a roast beef table, and other fish and meat.  I wasn't entirely sure if it's the food that didn't agree with me or what, but I got a pretty bad stomach pain after the first plate, and had to get some Pepobismo from the adjacent pharmacy.  I was somewhat disturbed to find flies hovering some of the plates, maybe I shouldn't have taken food from those areas.

As I sat there with my stomach pain, wondering if I should leave my dinner company, I was surprised by some middle western music suddenly blasting through the speakers.  Shortly afterwards, a belly dancer appeared!  She performed a few pieces while we awkwardly looked, but it was all in good fun and I'm glad that they provided entertainment.

Would I recommend this place?  Not if you have a weak stomach like me.  I normally don't get sick from ethnic foods (curry and the like), but this place really gave me stomach pains for the next day or so. 

Summary

• Bottom Line: Belly dancing show was a nice touch!
• Score: 3/5
• Address: 4777 Leslie Street (Leslie & Sheppard)

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Review: Dinner @ KFC, Thornhill

To satisfy a late night junk food craving, we made an impromptu drive to KFC for their Twoonie Tuesday special (it's always nice when your KFC craving falls on a Tuesday!).  Not wanting to eat there, we had it to go and brought it back home.

Rather than being greeted by that delicious smell of fried food once the box was opened, we were instead met with two soggy oily pieces of chicken and a lump of fries.  My standard for fast food is not that high to begin with, but boy was I disappointed.  I couldn't even bring myself to finish the fries.

For a chain that boasts its food is finger lickin' good, it sure was a major disappointment.  Here's to hoping that it was a one off incident, and that they will redeem themselves in my next visit.

Summary

• The Bottom Line: Soggy chicken and fries.
• Score: 2.5/5
• Address: 7028 Yonge (NE of Yonge & Steeles)

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