counter action
One of my favorite spots is Natalie Peruvian. However, I’m always down to try something new. And I heard Mo-Chica was serving up “gourmet” Peruvian. Oh really, let’s go!
halibut ceviche
I visited on Friday for lunch and ordered the lamb shank but also shared the ceviche of the day and the causa of the day. The ceviche turned out to be halibut. The firm chunks of fish went well with the red onion slivers and nummy bits. I could have probably ate the large serving all by myself.
crab claw causa
The causa was love at first bite. The creamy potato with the crab claw was such a contrast in flavors and texture. Again, I had to stop myself from not eating it all.
daily dish-- halibut
My friends had things I would have probably ordered myself (I could hear my brain saying silently next time). Carina’s daily dish was more halibut in a sauce that could just be scraped up and eaten alone with rice. Wonderful!
arroz con mariscos
And then AK’s arroz con mariscos, a seafood rice dish that smelled of the sea and sunny days. I stole a bite or two and was very happy.
lamb shank
My dish could have been considered more appropriate for the evening but why have a sandwich when you can have a meal good for days? Of course, I ate every bit of it and didn’t have leftovers.
The lamb was falling-off-the-bone tender. And it was also braised in a sauce that I could just eat with rice. I loved the way it was presented as well.
Some would argue this is a strip mall joint but I think it’s a casual neighborhood eatery that should be recognized for its committment in using fresh and organic ingredients.
3655 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 747-2141
March 25, 2010 at 3:01 PM
[...] dish that I was eying since I saw the menu, the arroz con mariscos. The Minty got the lamb shank, she said it could have more appropriately been a dinner entree but I am thrilled to have the kind of friend [...]
May 3, 2010 at 12:27 PM
[...] all pics from Mo-Chica. [...]
July 7, 2010 at 3:12 PM
[...] up and I’m in love with Peruvian as I ever was. I even enjoy the times I’ve been to Mo-chica, a more upscale Peruvian joint. Camarones a la [...]
August 27, 2010 at 4:44 PM
[...] people are already booking. I have two reservations for next week- one for when Ricardo Zarate of Mo-Chica does Cebiche night and another after Neal Fraser of Grace has a turn at the stoves. cured [...]
September 1, 2010 at 4:56 PM
[...] Ricardo is the chef at both Wabi Sabi and Mo-Chica. He is opening an anticuchos restaurant above Test Kitchen. My understanding of anticuchos are [...]
February 10, 2011 at 3:10 PM
[...] couple of weeks ago, I managed to use a Blackboard Eats deal on the day it was to expire for Mo-Chica, one of my favorite lunch places. I got the daily meal which that day was sea bass with lentils.The [...]
June 3, 2011 at 5:08 PM
[...] menu seemed familiar as I’ve eaten at Mo-Chica and other Peruvian restaurants. But also, strangely the Lazy Ox. The guy who took our order (on an [...]
June 27, 2011 at 6:09 PM
[...] this past weekend and I’m looking forward to more from Chef Ricardo Zarate. I hear the second Mo-Chica will open soon as well. Tres by Jose Andres – olive sphere, grilled octopus [...]
July 14, 2011 at 5:07 PM
[...] could sit and eat these causas for days. I’m familiar with Chef Ricardo’s causas at Mo-Chica where the potato is mixed with aji amarillo (causing the bright yellow color) and then layered with [...]