After reading a review of Maemi Peruvian Cuisine (http://www.maemiperu.com/) at 1535 Main St. in Sarasota, we decided to give it a try. While our meal was decent, we would not return. The appetizer and a side dish were terrific, but our entrées were unexciting.
Our meal started out with a free amuse-bouche of large, crisp kernels of corn with a spicy mustard sauce. It was delicious.
We then shared an appetizer that was wonderful - Tamales - crushed Peruvian corn stuffed with pork and covered with a sauce of tomatoes, onions, and lemon juice for $5.99. It can also be ordered with chicken rather than pork. These tamales are very different from Mexican tamales.
My wife thought she was ordering an entrée called, "Tacu Tacu con Seco," which was described as "slow-braised lamb with cilantro sauce, over mixed rice and beans." She asked for "the slow-braised lamb with cilantro sauce." It turns out that there is another entrée called, "Seco de Cordero," which is also described as "slow-braised lamb with cilantro sauce." The latter description does not include the mixed rice and beans. Are you confused yet? She received the latter dish which came with sticky white rice and steamed potatoes. The lamb was very tender, but the sauce was tasteless and the flavor of cilantro was undetectable. The dish cost $15.99.
She had a side dish of Platanos Maduros (ripe plantains). It is a dish that she loves, and this version met her expectations.
My entrée was seafood fried rice (Arroz Chaufa de Mariscos) for $16.99. The portion was large, but the taste was nothing special.
The chef/owner is a Peruvian whose heritage is partially Japanese. (There is a large Japanese-Peruvian community.) Consequently, the menu includes some items of Japanese origin, including edamame, tempura appetizers, spring rolls, miso soup, tofu salad, and seafood salad.
Two wines were available - merlot and chardonnay. We each had a glass of merlot for $6.99. It was decent.
There were only two desserts - dulce de leche and another which I don't remember. We passed on the desserts.
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