FRIED CHICKPEAS @ PIQUEO'S: # 82 on SFs 7x7 Big Eats 2010: 100 Things to Try Before You Die
Mochica and Piqueo are sister restaurants.
Since I do not foresee going to Piqueo's anytime soon, this will do for now.
Mochica's FRIED CHICKPEAS, if they were as good as Piqueo's, deserve the special mention in the much-followed "7x7 SF Big Eat."
These complimentary fried chickpeas were crunchy and tasty. The crunchy peanut like texture is contrasted by tomatoes and red onions.
Armed with an expired Groupon, Enrique and I made it to Mochica for our date night.
Mochica is a tiny restaurant located at South of Market. Just like SoMa's signature loft-style architecture, Mochica has high ceiling and exposed beams. A big chalkboard on the wall is functional as a menu display and piece of art.
Bottles of wine on the walls were also used as art pieces. The place was cramped and loud.
I had the CHICHAMOSA $8 which is a combination champagne and chicha morada (Peruvian non-alcoholic sweet drink made from purple corn). I have not had this before but I found it very nice and very refreshing!
Enrique and I shared BEEF HEART (Anticuchose de Corazon) $12 as our appetizer It was served with potatoes and huacatay sauce
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| Avocado Stuffed with Chicken Salad and Beef Heart with Huacatay Sauce |
Since heart is a muscular organ, I was expecting tough meat. Our beef heart tapa was actually pretty tender. However, the sauce that came with it was just one dimensional in flavor and quite salty.
We also also shared an AVOCADO STUFFED WITH CHICKEN $9 which is another appetizer. It was served with a very fresh avocado with simple chicken salad. Lovely and great as a palate cleanser.
Enrique had the BRAISED LAMD (Seco de Cordero) $21 as his main entree. Leg of lamb slowly braised in cilantro-peruvian dark beer sauce with white beans.
I had a taste and this dish was very flavorful and the meat was very tender. The beans were also nicely seasoned.
I had the BRAISED HALIBUT AND SEAFOOD STEW (Pescado a lo Macho) $22
This bowl of seafood reminded me cioppino but in lighter tomato-based sauce.
Our check was came up to $81 including tip before Groupon.
Mochica serves tasty Peruvian-Fusion dishes. We liked everything we had. Every single dish was delicious. Despite the middle of the road, friendly service, our dinner at Mochica was satisfying.
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