I enjoy living in the LA area because there is an enormous number of ethnic eateries. Included in this group are bakeries, and while I prefer savory over sweet, I enjoy partaking in items such as empanadas, croissants, pastries, and fresh-baked bread for sandwiches. Through social media, I recently stumbled upon Lonzo’s Restaurant in Culver City.
Lonzo’s Restaurant is not a new establishment. In fact, they opened in 2007 as a humble Peruvian bakery. Since that time, the owner’s nephew, an accomplished Peruvian chef, has transformed the kitchen offering Peruvian favorites like ceviche, tiradito, causa, and saltado.
A beautiful wood-stained parklet stands in front of the Lonzo’s. Each table has a dedicated area that prevents people from joining tables to accommodate large groups. Outdoor speakers provide upbeat Latin tunes and outdoor lights strung on top provide additional evening ambiance.
Lonzo’s staff is serious about safety as they wear the required PPE and even took temperature checks of the customers dining on-site. A staff member resides at the outdoor kiosk to limit the number of people that enter their restaurant. They were also diligent about spraying down the tables after each use.
Causa is one of their appetizers and is available with a number of different toppings. I appreciated that it wasn’t made with large layers of potato as I didn’t want it to fill me up. Real lobster meat is used instead of surimi, a white fish that frequently is substituted for lobster.
Knowing that bakeries generally produce pastries with flaky exteriors, I selected a beef empanada. The exterior was crisp like a nice apple turnover, then the savory ground beef flavor immediately took over. Finally, raisins added nice mini bombs of sweetness throughout the empanada experience.
The Pollo Saltado is the chicken version of Lomo Saltado. This dish included the customary fries with a small amount of rice and a fried egg on top! The spices blended nicely and my wife enjoyed the dish.
Lonzo’s Ceviche Mixto is nothing like anyone else’s. I’m used to seeing the Mexican version as a plate with a mound of raw seafood served with tortilla chips and salsa. Lonzo’s Ceviche Mixto is beautifully presented with a fire-roasted spot prawn, huge oyster topped with minced red onions and lime juice, Kampachi, Squid, Octopus, and Peruvian corn. This dish is a true delight!
Alfajores are shortbread-like cookies, filled with dulce de leche. They are dusted with confectioners sugar and delightful to eat as a dessert.
Lonzo’s Restaurant, 10804 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232; 310.842.7876
lonzosrestaurant.com