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Peruvian chain Pisco y Nazca branched out this summer from Miami to Dupont Circle, opening a sunny spot at 1823 L Street NW in August where diners can snack on 10 different ceviches during pisco sour-fueled happy hours. Chef Victor Lopez opened the restaurant, which boasts a 100-seat dining room for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch service.
Read on to hear what customers are saying online, just a few weeks in:
The It’s Authentic News: Peruvian expats are giving this spot a thumbs up. Facebooker Jackie McCain wrote: “Best Peruvian in DC hands down... I’m Peruvian so I know! The ceviche is super fresh and on point. The pulpo a la plancha was also amazing. Highly recommended!”
“It’s as good as Peruvian cuisine gets in D.C.,” writes Yelper Alex C. “We are foodies (lost count of Michelin star restaurants we dined at) and my wife is from Lima. We visit Peru regularly, and have dined at most high-end Lima restaurants (some multiple times), but also in small places favored by locals. My wife makes a full menu of Peruvian dishes at home, and I make a good pisco sour (according to Peruvian friends). We have tried every single Peruvian restaurant in the DC area and the experience ranges from bad to ok. So where does Pisco y Nazca fit in? It is a very good Peruvian restaurant, on par with a decent lunch spot in Lima. This may not sound like much, except that a decent lunch spot in Lima serves food better than 90% of $$$-marked restaurants in DC (when Michelin finally gets to Lima, they’ll run out of stars to give). And, for now at least, it’s not overpriced.” [Facebook, Yelp]
The Bring Earplugs New: Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema isn’t the only one who thought the restaurant’s dining room jet engine-level loud. Chas Y. wrote on Yelp: “Arrived at 630 for the last 30 minutes of Happy Hour and wowzers, it was sooooo LOUD inside! [WaPo]
The Ceviche News: While Sietsema wasn’t a big fan of the ceviches here, diners on social media are digging them. “The ceviche was some of the freshest I’ve ever had,” Yelper Kevin L. said. Sharmzonkitchen called the ceviche here “so on point,” writing on Instagram: “The ceviche at Pisco y Nazca is one of the best in DC! This one is the ceviche callejero with fish, shrimp, octopus, calamari, cancha, rocoto, and crispy plantains. So on point!” [Yelp, Instagram]
The Pisco Sour News: The happy hour pisco are a hit too. Yelper Rachel L. wrote “We later ordered passion pisco sours which were delicious and just like the ones in Lima!! Yelper Christina R. thought the happy hour prices were wallet-friendly too. “So let me just say this is a truly great place for happy hour (4-7pm all week) drinks-- think $7 *strong* cocktails that are also delish.” [Yelp]
The What Else to Order News: Food writer Nevin Martell called out the starter of tostones topped with pulled pork, avocado, onions, and aji amarillo mojo on Instagram — and food writer Travis Mitchell wrote on Instagram that diners shouldn’t miss larger plates like the carnivore-friendly braised lamb shank. Another item to try? Dinner With Diva wrote on Instagram: “Papas a la Huancaina from @piscogastrobar! Traditional Peruvian dish- potatoes, huancaina sauce, boiled egg, and olives- delicious!” [Instagram]
