Last month (July 2011) Food & Wine Magazine named Chef Ricardo Zarate as one of their Best New Chefs for 2011. His elevated Peruvian cooking has been a favorite of mine since I first tasted his Mo Chica menu at a “Hatchi” pop-up dinner last year (links & video below).
For “Culinarian’s Day”, the Huffington Post recently asked me to name some of my favorite chefs and of course I included Ricardo. I’m so proud to call him a friend, and with all the recent accolades he’s garnered, I’m pretty darn lucky that I can still get a reservation!
Picca Peru
Entrance (above the former Test Kitchen space)
Anticuchos (grilled, skewered street food): Beef Filet w Sea Urchin Butter, Garlic Chip
Anticuchos: Corazon aka Beef Heart, Rocoto (spicy pepper) Sauce
Anticuchos: Papa a La Huancaina: Potato, Quail Egg, Pancetta, Chives
COCKTAILS! Left: “The Avocado Project” 5 Island white rum, fresh avocado, ascorbic acid, fresh lime juice, agave nectar.
Right: “Chilcano de Anis” Lime Juice, Ginger Syrup, Anise Syrup, Pisco
Tomatoes & Burrata w Black Mint Pesto
Ceviche Crocante: Halibut, Leche de tigre, Crispy Calamari
Choritos Mussels: Steamed Mussels, Pancetta, Aji Amarillo Butter
Chicharron De Costilas: Crispy Pork Ribs Crostini, Sweet Potato Puree, Feta Cheese Sauce, Salsa Criolla
Tuna Tartare: Tuna, Lemon Soy Dressing, Wonton Chips
Ceviche Mixto: Mixed Seafood, Sweet Potato, Choclo (a large grain corn)
Black Cod: Miso Anticucho, Crispy Sweet Potato
Seco de Pato: Duck Leg Confit, Black Beer Sauce, Cilantro Rice
Patita: pig trotter stew, chorizo, potato, aji panca, peanuts
Causa: snow crab.cucumber, avocado, huancaina sauce
32 oz Rib Eye Steak
Oxtail Croquette Sliders w avocado & pickled jalapeno, huacatay
Tres Leches Cake
Checking out the kitchen
Picca, View From Bar
Rocoto Mezcal
Photos taken 6/21/11 (Opening Night) 7/28/11 & 9/23/11
Huffington Post “Culinarian’s Day”
About Ricardo> Terrific article about Ricardo Zarate by my friend Julie Wolfson
Picca Peru Restaurant
9575 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 277-0133
Website
FOOD & WINE Best New Chef Ricardo Zarate VIDEO
Food & Wine Best New Chefs 2011
Sophie Gayot of GAYOT.com at Mo Chica VIDEO
Chef Ricardo Zarate at Test Kitchen VIDEO
Follow Chef Ricardo Zarate on Twitter
Follow Picca Peru Restaurant on Twitter
Follow Stephane Bombet, Picca’s Managing Partner on Twitter
Follow writer Julie Wolfson on Twitter
my last bite... 
your pictures are beautiful, Jo! I freak out about that duck leg.
Thanks Lien! See you soon my friend! xo