Inca Trail is a Peruvian restaurant and has much to offer (seafood, chicken, beef, and vegetarian choices). When we arrived, we had the place to ourselves. We weren't overly concerned with the lack of patrons, given the fact it was 8:00 p.m. on a Monday night.
When we first sat down, the waitress asked us for our drink order. "J", in true form, said "we'll take the strongest drink you have!". Unfortunately, the waitress then explained that they had yet to receive their liquor license. What we thought was the beginning to a bad experience, soon made a turn-around though. She then explained that there was a liquor store in the same shopping complex and we were more than welcome to go purchase our own bottle of wine and bring it inside. Huh? That was definitely a first for all of us. We loved the idea though: Get a bottle of wine for half the cost of two glasses each off a menu. So, "J" made his way out to get us our drinks.
"J" coming back with our wine!
What's funny? The restaurant had wine glasses for us to use.
After we were settled and nerves calmed (from the thought of no wine), we started reviewing the menu. We decided to start out with their most popular appetizer (per our waitress). It contained fried plantains and a meat and potato patty. The plantain had a sweet yet savory taste. The potato "patty" was very similar to the Irish version of shepard's pie. Potatoes in a mashed consistency on top, with a meat and bean mixture below. Included as a garnish on the plate was pickled red onions. It was so yummy to take a little onion with a bite of the plantain. All very good. After the appetizer, we were pleasantly surprised with an "on the house" bowl of homemade chicken soup. The broth was very flavorful. Included with the broth was very thinly shredded chicken and carrots. A nice touch to dinner (because who doesn't like something free?).
Appetizer partially eaten
Done!
Chicken soup
Next was ordering our main entrees. Both "J" and "A" went with the roasted chicken dish, which came with fries (yes, we thought weird too) and Inca salad. "A" also ordered a side of green rice, as she wasn't thrilled about the fries. "K" ordered the beef strip meal. Strips of beef marinated in a soy sauce and spices mixed with red bell peppers, red onions and fries (yes, again...fries). It came with a side of white rice, and she ordered a side Inca salad as well (the salad sounded too yummy to pass up).
The food presented
Roasted chicken. Notice the carmelization of the skin. It had such a deep flavor. Very smokey and juicy. A must get next time.
Green rice
The fries. Although a bizarre item to see on the menu, they were fabulous. Crunchy outside and soft inside.
The Inca salad! Yummo! The dressing was a vinegar base, and very pallet pleasing. Plus, who doesn't like avocados!
The steak strip meal. Just by the colors, you can guess how fabulous it was.
It didn't take long for JAK to devour the selections. The food was all very rich in flavors, and it was fun to try something new and unique.
Chicken, done
Salad, done
Steak, done
Inca Trail definitely received JAK's stamp of approval. The food was great, and the service was even better. It was a wonderful night off from the kitchen, and yet still proved Monday's don't have to be Mundane. Over dinner in conversation it was decided that every quarter JAK would take this break and try out a new, local unique find. Of course, reporting all along the way.
Cheers!
Until next time....A la Cuisine!
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