A LITTLE PIECE OF PERU

«El Rey Peruvian Restaurant in South Park, Seattle is one of the best South American restaurants to debut in the Puget Sound in the past five years. A good introduction to Peruvian food for newbies, El Rey serves Lima staples from stir-fried steak with fries and rice (lomo saltado) to the creamy potato (papa a la huancaína) along with excellent fried fish and roast chicken. Wash these dishes down with an Inca Kola or a pitcher of chicha morada, a purple corn drink. Portions are generous, with most dishes costing $20 or less. El Rey is an all-family affair, with the matriarch Yacira Mayta cooking and serving seven days a week, while her sister, husband, son and two daughters chip in. Be patient if things get busy. Go on off nights and/or avoid the peak lunch and dinner hours.»