The original Lima in Fitzrovia is one of the best Peruvian restaurants in London, having been awarded a Michelin star last year for its high end, authentic Peruvian food. It’s very good news indeed then, that the same team have just opened up their second restaurant, Lima Floral, in Covent Garden.
The restaurant is split over two levels, with a more formal restaurant on the ground level and a no reservations ‘piqueos bar’ in the basement serving traditional Peruvian tapas dishes and cocktails – a good option if you’re struggling to get a table upstairs.
From the main menu we had a starter of tuna tartar with crushed yellow potato which had a nice kick to it from a light chili sauce and some added crunch from radish slices. It would be a worrying sign if a place like Lima couldn’t pull off an amazing ceviche and the sea bream version we tried here didn’t disappoint, with lashings of lime juice, avocado and crispy onions added into the mix.
The highlight from the mains was definitely the beef sudado – seared slices of beef in a tiger milk broth with coriander, tomatoes and white quinoa. Grilled monkfish with yellow chili pepper and thin ribbons of courgette was also good but lacked flavour compared to the beef dish.
For dessert we’d steer clear of the ‘suspiro ardiente’ which is a little too adventurous, even for us and play it safe with the chocolate mousse.
If you’re a fan of Peruvian food then Lima Floral should be high on your list of places to check out.
Lima, 31 Rathbone Pl, Covent Garden, London W1T 1JH
www.limalondon.com