Best New Peruvian Restaurant in Bellevue, WA

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I experienced a Latin American flavor explosion recently – it is such a great date spot and I wish I lived closer to this new Peruvian restaurant, La Mar, in Bellevue, WA!

When traveling to the evergreen state of Washington, most people stay in the heart of Seattle for its history and yummy eateries. In search for something new, however, we ventured eastward towards a new Peruvian restaurant in Bellevue, WA!

La Mar, Bellevue is the type of restaurant that immediately transports you into a whole new world once you walk through the doors…

The Ocean of Peru

Once you walk through the doors of La Mar, it’s almost as though the Pacific Ocean herself left an imprint in the decor. It was blue, vibrant, celebratory, but relaxed at the same time. With floor to ceiling windows, the restaurant was filled with light despite the grey sky.

The Peruvian Pisco Sour

Before diving into the food, I have to share about my very first Pisco Sour, the national cocktail of Peru! Yum!

What is pisco? Pisco is a clear grape brandy. It’s different than the typical brandy, however, because it’s not aged in oak barrels. Rather, they are rested in neutral containers like glass.

The Pisco Sour at La Mar was tangy, yet smooth – so refreshing to the senses. I found myself asking for another because it was textbook perfection (according to a Peruvian friend)! It’s a definite must-try!

Cassava & Taro Chips

What a yummy start to our meal! The cassava & taro chips were crunchy and delicious. Not greasy at all and perfect as a pre-meal snack, especially with the green sauce – ají verde. Ají verde is a Peruvian sauce made with cilantro, spicy peppers, lime juice, and a creamy base. Apparently, you can ask for a spicier sauce, the ají amarillo, if you enjoy a bit more heat! I definitely want to try this out next time!

The Cebiche (or Ceviche)

The next dish we had was the cebiche, or ceviche. A ceviche is a classic Peruvian dish (other Latin American nations have it too) made of different raw proteins, like fish, “cooked” in citrus juice, like lime. La Mar had a whole slew of ceviches and they recommend the Cebiche Tasting on their menu if it’s your first time there. The Cebiche Tasting consists of the Clásico, Limeño, and the Nikkei.

My personal favorite was the Clásico – made with halibut. Mainly because of the Peruvian corn, the choclo! it was the biggest corn kernel I had ever seen and the tastiest one too. It was chewy, starchy, and paired perfectly with the sauce!

Arroz con Mariscos

The Arroz con Mariscos was another delight at La Mar. We asked for no shrimp because of allergies, but this dish still came with an explosion of seafood – clams, calamari, and octopus!

Arroz con mariscos is basically Peru’s paella – a seafood rice dish that’s bursting with the flavor of ocean itself. Here’s where the ají amarillo aioli comes in and just coats the whole dish with a rich, creaminess like no other. If you love seafood, this is the dish to get!

The Lomo Saltado

Lomo saltado translates roughly to “stir-fried beef,” but literally means “jumped beef/tenderloin.” It’s a Peruvian dish that has Chinese stir-fry techniques blended into it. The umami creator is the oyster sauce they put into the dish – yum! It’s typically served with French Fries, but I enjoyed the big potato pieces in La Mar’s version of lomo saltado. This is a great option for those who want a bit more turf than surf!

The Highlight – Pulpo Crocante

The highlight of La Mar was the pulpo crocante, or the “crispy octopus” for me. If you think octopus tentacle is chewy and tough, you have not had Peruvian pulpo crocante, my friend. These octopus tentacles are first slow-cooked until tender, then they are either seared or fried to give the outside a nice crunchy, charred texture. It is my favorite seafood dish of all time and La Mar did not disappoint! You cannot say you’ve been to a Peruvian restaurant without having tried this dish – a must, must-have.

The Verdict

La Mar Bellevue is a must-try casual, but fancy restaurant that I would definitely visit again. The ambiance is vibrant, the service is great, and the food leaves you wanting more!

It is a bit pricy, so I suggest coming for a special occasion or a date night!

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