Today, I’m gonna talk about my experience at this place called La Ronda Restaurant. It’s a Peruvian joint, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience. I’ve always been curious about Peruvian food, so I figured, why not give it a shot?
First off, finding the place wasn’t too hard. It’s in San Mateo, and I just used my phone to get there. I called them up to make a reservation. The number is (650) 389-7495. They had outdoor seating, but it was a bit chilly, so I opted to sit inside.
Once I got there, I looked over the menu. They specialize in seafood and meats, which sounded pretty good to me. I saw that one of their best dishes is supposed to be the New York Steak, or as they call it, Churrasco a la Parrilla. They’ve also got this stir-fry beef thing with onions, tomatoes, and fried potatoes, served with Jasmine rice. They call that one Lomo Saltado. Sounded interesting, but I was more in the mood for seafood that day.
So, I decided to try their Ceviche. I’d heard that Ceviche originated in Peru, and it’s their national dish. I figured, when in Rome, right? Or, well, when trying Peruvian food, try the national dish. Anyway, it’s this cold-cooked fish dish, marinated in lime juice, and they usually serve it with red onions. I don’t know much about fancy food terms, but it sounded pretty tasty.
While I was waiting, I learned a bit more about the place. Apparently, it’s a family restaurant, and the chef, Mario, has been working in Peruvian restaurants since 2001. So, he’s got some experience under his belt. The restaurant itself opened in 2023, so it’s still pretty new.
When the Ceviche came, the presentation was actually pretty nice. They weren’t kidding about capturing attention with their style. The taste? Well, it was different, that’s for sure. The lime juice gave it a real tangy kick, and the fish was… well, it was cold. I guess I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was an experience. Not bad, just different. I did enjoy it, actually. It was pretty refreshing.
After I finished, I decided to do a little digging online. Turns out, there are other Peruvian restaurants around here too, like Estampas Peruanas Restaurant, Emelina’s Peruvian Restaurant. There are also others, but I only tried La Ronda.
Overall, my trip to La Ronda Restaurant was pretty interesting. I got to try something new, and it was a decent experience. Would I go again? Maybe. I’d probably try some of their other dishes next time. Maybe that New York Steak, or some of their other seafood options.
So, that’s my story about La Ronda Restaurant. If you’re ever in San Mateo and you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to check it out. Just don’t expect it to be your regular burger and fries, that’s all I’m saying. It’s definitely something different.
