If you want a unique and authentic Peruvian experience, you HAVE to try El Inka in Burlington.
It’s hard not to sink into a relaxed state of mind as you walk by the drop yellow lighting, and light tangerine-coloured walls to your seat. The warm atmosphere is soothing and relaxing. Single folks or friends sit and sip drinks and eat appetizers along the bar. The bartender stands in front of a brick wall lined with lit shelving that holds an array of various bottles.
“Have you been here before?” asks Walter, our waiter for the evening. When we tell him it’s our first time, he spends time helping us with the menu. Walter went over the highlights of each dish. As he explained, our mouths water.
An authentic experience like this not only piques our interest, but it’s strangely adventurous. I have never been to Peru; however, I left feeling like El Inka was the next best thing to actually visiting this South American country.
“This is a family-owned business,” said Elliot Gonzales, owner of El Inka. Elliot was likable and very knowledgeable when it came to Peruvian food.
“We source our ingredients from Peru,” he said. “Items on the menu are the same dishes Peruvians eat. If you were to go to Peru, this is the food you would eat.”
What does Peruvian food taste like? Well, you just have to go and try for yourself! The Taste of Burlington prix fixe is $40 for dinner and includes an appetizer, a main, and a dessert. As you can imagine, since Peru is a coastal region, seafood is abundant here. As well they have many vegetarian dishes and meats such as lamb and antitucho (grilled veal heart). I highly recommend the antitucho and Arroz con Mariscos. Try the Peruvian beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and colas are great.
For those who like dancing, Elliot (owner of El Inka) invites you to Salsa night which will be the last Saturday of every month. No experience is necessary.