As a Peruvian, I sometimes have the desire to return to my home country and once again enjoy the dishes I love so much. However, recently I was able to discover a restaurant serving food that reminded me of my country; it is Señor Ají Peruvian Kitchen. The local restaurant strives to present the diversity and fusion of Peruvian food.
The Peruvian restaurant is located at Herndon and Milburn. Besides the brick and mortar establishment, Señor Ají also has a food truck that frequents the River Park Farmers Market and Gazebo Gardens. Señor Ají has served Peruvian dishes since 2016 and offers food of the highest quality with a modern presentation.
The restaurant was founded by Chef Mauricio Arizola and his wife, Lilian Arizola. Mauricio tells us that from the very beginning, every detail was for a specific reason, such as the name of the restaurant. The name Señor Ají comes from the term “Señor” referencing mister and “Ají”, a reference to the Peruvian yellow pepper “aji amarillo”. Aji amarillo is the base ingredient of all the Peruvian dishes offered at this spectacular restaurant.
You should definitely visit if you love trying the food from one of the best countries in the world, Peru. The owner himself mentions repeatedly that he wants to present Peruvian food as a great flavorful experience and without forgetting that the presentation of the dish garners good comments.
This charming restaurant offers a variety of foods such as ceviche, causa limeña, and lomo saltado. Among these meals, drinks cannot be missed, including Inka Kola and the famous chicha morada.
The quality of the food is spectacular, not to mention the presentation that each dish has. Each plate represents the history of Peru, emphasizing the obviousness of its ingredients and dishes such as lomo saltado that originated from the Chifa tradition, the Chinese cuisine of Peru. Ceviche dates back to pre-Inca times, specifically with the Mochica culture, which also created a dish based on fresh fish and simple ingredients creating a unique flavor.
In addition, within their menu they present the dish called anticuchos de corazón. This dish is basically beef heart skewers, which include roast potatoes and Peruvian corn or choclo, recognized as one of the seven gastronomic wonders of Peru. The plate originates back to the time of the viceroyalty, which has Andean, Spanish and Afro-Peruvian influence.
Many customers leave satisfied and continually mention that it was a unique experience, accompanied by the good atmosphere that the restaurant offers. If we support restaurants like Señor Ají, we are also supporting the diversity of foods that come from other countries. We are giving them the opportunity to continue selling their cuisine to more customers. So, if you want to try something different one of these days, stop by Señor Ají.
