Peruvian cuisine is quickly becoming one of the hottest cuisines in LA. While El Pollo Inka popularized Peruvian food in LA, Los Balcones Hollywood was already one of the top restaurants in Hollywood. Not wishing to rest on their laurels, Los Balcones Hollywood hired Michelangelo “Miguel” Aliaga to establish cutting edge Peruvian cuisine for LA’s diners.
Miguel Aliaga spent his early years in a small town in Northern Peru. At a young age, Aliaga quickly departed Peru and traveled to Spain to pursue culinary studies. He eventually began his culinary career in various kitchens in Florence Italy. In LA, Aliaga has worked at All’Angelo and Cecconi’s. Most recently he was the executive chef at Primo in Torrance.
Los Balcones Hollywood is a long-established Peruvian restaurant with two locations, one in Studio City and the original location in Hollywood. I learned that Aliaga cherishes the opportunity to run the kitchen because it allows him to return to his Peruvian roots.
Contrary to what you may think, beef heart doesn’t taste like liver and in fact, it is more like steak in both taste and texture. The beef hearts were perfectly grilled and served and topped with a mild rocoto sauce and chopped scallions.
Los Balcones doesn’t skimp on seafood with their Chaufa de Mariscos. Fried rice is topped with a plethora of fresh seafood. I discovered mussels, squid, clams, Peruvian scallops and an enormous prawn in the center of this dish. Peruvian scallops are immediately recognizable from their beautiful shell. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish, down to the seasoning of the chaufa.
Their Lamb Shank is an example of Aliaga’s Italian upbringing. He braises lamb shank and combines it with a mild chimichurri sauce with a lima bean puree. The lamb is fork-tender and quickly falls off the bone. With the mild chimichurri sauce, the lamb shank is a nice blend of Peruvian and Italian cuisine.
Other items that reflect Aliaga’s creativity include their Braised Short Ribs with Cilantro Beer Sauce, a vegan/gluten-free Tallarin Saltado made with quinoa spaghetti and a Mediterranean sea bream with tomatoes and chicha de jora (Peruvian corn beer).
Hasta Manana and a Pisco Sour 
Old Hollywood with Rye 
Mamasita
Their cocktails are extremely colorful. Since the Pisco Sour is the national drink of Peru, I ordered one. The bartender vigorously shook the shaker and the result was a tasty drink with a beautiful foamy cap. Other drinks we tried included the Mamacita and the Hasta Manana. The drinks were definitely not watered down and were extremely flavorful.
Los Balcones is an ideal place to dine before an event at the Pantages, the Arclight Theatre or the Hollywood Palladium. Metered street parking is available on Vine St. and there are no time limits for parking on adjacent side streets.
Los Balcones Hollywood, 1360 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.871.9600
losbalconesperu.com
Good information. Lucky me I discovered your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve bookmarked it for later!
Thank you, I try. 🙂