La Mar By Gaston Acurio Opens at Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Considered ‘the ambassador of Peruvian cuisine,’ Acurio continues to gain culinary acclaim with his unique restaurants which rank among the best in the world. The opening of La Mar by Gastón Acurio in Miami marks the third Acurio restaurant in the U.S., following sister concepts La Mar Cebicheria in San Francisco and Tanta in Chicago.

At La Mar, guests can enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor waterfront seating with three lively bars providing distinctive culinary experiences. La Mar Executive Chef Diego Oka provides a personal look into the creation of authentic Peruvian dishes ranging from upscale novo-Andean fare to Asian-Peruvian fusion and traditional seafood Ceviche. Having worked alongside Acurio for more than a decade, Chef Oka introduces an eclectic menu offering small plates such as Nikei, Peruvian nigiri; Anticucho Grill items; and tapas-style Piqueos. Large plates include a selection of Peruvian Specialties and pan-fried rice called Arroces.

“We are extremely excited to introduce the spirit of Peruvian food culture to the vibrant city of Miami,” says Chef Gastón Acurio. “Our new La Mar by Gastón Acurio restaurant pays tribute to the sea with a beautiful waterfront location and the freshest local seafood on the menu.”

The dedicated Ceviche and Anticucho bars invite guests to journey through La Mar’s celebrated menu. Ceviches and Tiraditos utilize the cooking technique of curing fish through acidic juices and are presented in 15 different dishes priced from USD 9 to USD 29.

Creations range from the Clásico with fluke, cilantro, aji limo, red onions, choclo and leche de tigre to the Bachiche with scallops, avocado, and garlic-truffle leche de tigre.

The culinary journey continues with Anticuchos, a popular Peruvian street food. Priced from USD 9 to USD 30, Anticuchos are reinvented with varieties of Wagyu, Free Range Chicken, Octopus, Whole Jumbo Prawn and a vegetarian option of Peruvian Asparagus.

A selection of Causa dishes, mashed potato dumplings topped with seafood, are served four different ways to include the Nikei (rocoto causa with tuna tartare); Cangrejo (beet causa with crab); Escabeche (potato with crispy snapper) and Olivo (potato with octopus tartare). Peruvian Specialties range in price from USD 19 to USD 49 and highlight the cuisine’s rich Japanese influences with dishes like Lomo Saltado, a traditional beef dish with stir fried potatoes, red onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, cilantro, aji amarillo and rice, and Whole Fish Nikei, the catch-of-the-day, prepared with Peruvian Japanese spicy sauce, bok choy and white chaufa broccoli rice.

La Mar’s comprehensive cocktail menu includes a list of Peruvian Classics, featuring cocktails infused with pisco, a South American grape brandy, and La Mar Classics, offering iconic cocktails with a Peruvian twist. These signature drinks cost USD 13 each.

In celebration of La Mar’s opening, Mandarin Oriental, Miami has partnered with LAN Airlines to provide two round trip tickets from Miami to Lima in Premium Business class; dinner for two, with two pisco sours, at La Mar by Gastón Acurio at Mandarin Oriental, Miami; and lunch for two, with two pisco sours, at La Mar Cebicheria in Lima, Peru.

More details can be found by visiting www.mandarinoriental.com/miami/culinary-adventure-giveaway