Llama Inn

In Food & Beverages, New York July 19, 2017

My hairdresser took notice as I was editing food photos on my phone. She gave me a list of her favorite local Peruvian restaurants and mentioned that her brother “cooks Peruvian food” at a place called Llama Inn in Brooklyn. I told her I would add Llama Inn to my list and she said I would like it.

She was right.

As it turns out, her brother, Erik Ramirez, who “cooks Peruvian food” is chef and partner of Llama Inn. Erik had previously worked at Eleven Madison Park, a fine dining establishment that has produced numerous awards, accolades and happy customers over the years. I envision Llama Inn has the talent and product to do the same.

Chef: Erik Ramriez
Tips: Credit card only. Enjoy the rooftop before or after your meal. Slushy machine upstairs. Open 7 days a week. Cocktail game strong. You’ll be surprised that a quinoa salad can make you happy.

Quinoa, Banana, Avocado, Bacon, Cashew ($15)

ANTICUCHO Pork Belly, Char Siu, Pickled Chilis, Spicy Mayo ($6), Chicken Thigh, Fermented Soy Bean, Aji Verde, Purple Potato Chip ($6), Squid, Aji Panca, Rocoto Salsa, Scallions ($6), Sweetbread, Raisin Chimichurri ($6)

Beets, Muna, Goat Cheese, Gooseberry ($14)

Whole Branzino Patarashca, Banana Leaf, Aji Amarillo, Salsa Criolla, Choclo, Coconut RIce ($60)

Lomo Saltado is a Peruvian stir fry typically made with beef, onions, tomatoes, French fries and served with rice. The fries were so crispy they even held up in the sauce. Llama Inn’s twist has the addition of scallion pancakes with the rice brought out and mixed in at the end.

Beef Tenderloin Stir Fry, (Lomo Saltodo) Soy Sauce, Red Onion, Tomato, Avocado, Cilantro, Pickled Chilis, Rocoto Relleno, Scallion Pancake ($68)

Lime, Graham Cracker, Burnt Meringue ($8)

The cocktails were some of the best drinks I have had in a long while. In fact, we each thought our own cocktail was so good, we passed them around for everyone else to take a sip, something that never happens at a group dinner. Some of the drinks playfully incorporate the word Llama in the name: Llama del Rey, Llamrita, Pina Collama and Dolly Lllama. We had fun saying these names randomly throughout the night. The cocktails were so good and we were so happy with our meal that we changed our plans after dinner and simply walked upstairs to their rooftop bar, El Techo.