Ceviche, Soho, London

Deep Fried Seabass & Salmon Steam Buns, Ceviche, London

If you haven't tried eating Peruvian or South American styled food yet, now might be the time if you like to stay ahead of the food game. I tried Ceviche's sister restaurant Andina last year and was blown away with the assault on the palate of flavours and textures that I'd not had before. Andina, however is unfortunately all the way over in Liverpool St, cool if you're in that part of London, but for us south west inhabitants its a pain in the rear orifice to get there. Thankfully though the same folk have another eatery in Soho, London (and Old St) so we went for some much deserved bar styled eats after stupidly deciding to go shopping on Oxford St (If you're not from London you won't understand) one Sunday arvo, (Sunday is sometimes the best time to hit top London food joints as the popular places are a bit quieter and you can sometimes score a deal or two). 

Tiradito Apasionado, Salmon with purple potato, Ceviche, London

For us, this time there was no deal, just the anticipation of good food, and they have excellent wine by the glass too.
It's informal eating at the bar, nice and relaxed and fun and really just about satisfying yourself with numerous plates and small sized eats. Ceviche's food is based around the coastal parts of Peru, so this Soho branch eatery has their particular focus on seafood. Each restaurant has its own unique menu and its own story it would seem. 

Bar Snacks of Cassava Chips & Pulled Pork  Fritters, Ceviche, London

We had plenty of help on hand from the knowledgeable bar-waiter who thoroughly explained the dishes and Ceviche's focus when it comes to food and drink. We always like to get a ceviche and started out with a brightly presented ceviche dish serving salmon in passionfruit tigers milk (basically a citrus marinade) with chia seeds. The dish looks impressive, but this was a sensation on the palate that I'm not sure I understood. It was sour but not unpleasant, definitely different. I had a pisco sour on hand that helped balance out the dish. On the side we'd ordered some cassava chips and pork fritters, great for late night snacking with a few vino's I thought.

Deep fried Sea Bass with Salmon Steamed Buns, Ceviche, London

Our next plate was skewers of beef fillet served with blood orange sauce and plantain fritters. The grilled meat is always delicious here and at Andina, and these had a nice kick of heat from the mirasol chilli. We followed this with a plate Taco Taco Marino which had a King Prawns served with sea bass, octopus in a picante sauce with what appeared to be a rice cake underneath. Following this we tried Jalea Steamed buns which were by far the best item to have from the menu. I honestly don't think the Marino dish was worth it at all. It didn't fit with the style of the other food and there was the tiniest slither of octopus. The other food has much more pizazz, so I would recommend one stick to the grilled meats with the steamed buns. 

Grilled Beef Fillets with Blood Orange sauce, Ceviche, London

If you are feeling adventurous, I would also try a Pisco sour, this happens to be one of my favourite guzzles after first trying it in another Peruvian/oriental inspired eatery incidentally that is also nearby. All in all, my favourite is still Andina, there are more dishes that I enjoyed there. Ceviche has great service and all, a good location and if I'm desperate I may go back but for me, I'm just going to have to put up with the hike to Liverpool St! Unless of course we get something in the borough.... 
Meanwhile back in Richmond this charismatic chef at Petersham Hotel does excellent food for fine dining folk - see my post here, and don't forget to follow me on twitter @g00dkai. 

Seabass, King Prawns & Octopus dish, Ceviche, London

Knowledgeable staff, Deep Fried Sea Bass with Pisco Sour, Ceviche, London