Overview
The masters of Argentinean food in Melbourne (that would be the good people behind San Telmo) are now branching out into Peruvian cuisine with their new restaurant, Pastuso. The restaurant will specialise in three areas of Peruvian food and drink culture to reflect different areas of the South American country.
The Cevicheria represents coastal areas of Peru with delicate fresh seafood dishes. The Grill, where meats will be smoked and turned on the rotisserie, is more focused on traditional cooking methods and flavours favoured by those in the mountainous Andes. Finally, there is the Pisco bar, where the Latin-inspired drink menu will be much like the jungle of Peru — bursting with energy and excitement. (For those of you yet to try, pisco is a grape brandy distilled in copper pots, and is well worth a dabble.)
An ambassador for Peruvian cuisine in Australia, head chef Alejandro Saravia will be ruling the roost here. He originally hails from Peru, but his career has lead him to work all over the world, including the Fat Duck (London), Les Ambassadeurs (Paris) and at many well-known Sydney establishments, most notably Morena in Surry Hills, which he opened in 2011. Saravia’s approach to Peruvian cuisine is described as “rustic with delicate and well-balanced flavours” as he makes traditional food from his home accessible and exciting to international audiences.
The establishment is located on AC/DC Lane in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The Pisco bar opens out onto the laneway, where most of the dining will take place inside. There is a dining room, mezzanine and private function rooms for guests, and both the Cevicheria and the Grill are open kitchens so patrons can look on as their food is being prepared. The walls are adorned with traditional chicha posters — vibrant street art commonly found in Peru.
So what is a Pastuso? It actually takes its name from Paddington Bear, which was originally an orphan bear from Lima who was eventually sent to England. Who knew? The story resonated with owners Dave and Micky Parker and Jason and Renee McConnell, in terms of how Peruvian food has adapted to international audiences and how it is received. Nawwwww.
For now Pastuso is enjoying a soft opening and only serving dinner, but they will be open for full service as of Monday, July 28. Pastuso will be open seven days a week and licensed until 1am, which is time enough to sample plenty of pisco, as well as drops from the South American-focused wine list. Check it out at 19 AC/DC Lane.