As much as I love all the cool restaurants in Westwood, sometimes my tummy craves something a bit more unique than the usual food joints attracting throngs of college students on weekend nights. I decided to expand and explore my scope a bit, and came upon the cutest Peruvian diner, Lonzo’s! With an upscale yet urban-esque ambiance and really just gorgeous and delicious food, this place is definitely somewhere I’d go again on a special summer occasion! Check out the delicious new foods we got to explore!
- Octopus appetizer
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I’ll be honest, I’m as adventurous as I can be until I’m met with a squid or octopus dish. Somehow the squishy, gelatinous texture never appealed to my tastes. Lonzo’s octopus appetizer was not only beautifully plated but also braised and charred to perfection! I’ve quite honestly never tasted anything this good. Maybe I’ll give this type of seafood another go in the future too.
- Branzino
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Call me what you want, but I will do anything for a fresh, well-seasoned fish. I know a lot of people tend to avoid overly scaley fish with bones, but I think peeling off the fork-tender fish from the bones is absolutely essential to the experience! Needless to say, the “Branzino” did not disappoint. I’m sure our waiter was quite surprised at how neatly we arranged the scraps after eating through pretty much everything edible on the plate.
- Peruvian pesto with filet mignon
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Once again, I am not the biggest fan of pesto due to preferring dishes with stronger flavors and less mild attributes. Something about this pesto was phenomenal though. I believe our waiter told us that some of the juice from the filet mignon was also infused into the pasta, making it extra juicy and flavorful. All in all, it was totally finger-lickin’ good!
- inca kola!
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As you all might’ve guessed already, yes, I was feeling extra adventurous that day. And as it happens with all journeys, some parts are sweeter (literally) than others. Maybe a bit too sweet. Apparently, this soda is imported from Peru and is a very common summer drink in the region. Though it was a bit too sweet for my palate, I think it’d be the perfect addition to any pina colada-like drink for the summer!
Lonzo’s really is the perfect balance of authentic yet delicious Peruvian cuisine in a small yet lively atmosphere. I also love how close it is to campus, just a 15 min drive into Culver City! Everything on their menu looked so delicious that I simply have to make another trip back someday.