Culinary Adventure #3: Picca Cantina

Dear Hungry Housewives:

For our June Culinary Adventure we definitely got “Out of the Box” and journeyed to Picca, a trendy Peruvian Cantina in West L.A.

Our clever host, Jackie ordered a limo for our evening transportation. So Ellen, Ann, Kathy, Karen, Jackie, Sydne, Helen, Nadine and I had a fun ride across town and arrived at Picca around 7:00pm.

Note to future Hosts: Remember to count on a half hour to gather all the housewives.


The large red building with bright yellow letters was easy to spot on Pico Blvd.

BTW: “Picca” means “to nibble” and has nothing to do with the street name. 

After meeting Linda and Lisa K at the bar, we were escorted to a table upstairs.



We were immediately greeted by our waiter, Kanoa, who I mistakenly called, Kanejo.  He humored me because I had just ordered an Anejo Honey Sour made with Anejo Tequila.  You see the confusion…right?

 

When our exotic cocktails arrived, it was obvious that we weren't in Kansas any more.  Nadine’s drink, the Avocado Project was of interest.  White rum, avocado, lime juice and agave nectar were shaken into a sweet, creamy smoothie…it just happened to match her eyes.

My personal favorite drink (because for the blog I had to sip them all) was the Pedro Serrano which included Mezcal Tequila, green Chartreuse, lime, agave and green chili.  The spicy, smoky flavors were an intense combination!

A few ordered the Pisco Sour which was shaken with Pisco, lemon and lime juice, sugar and egg whites.  The crafty cocktail was almost too pretty to consume.  Okay, enough about the libations and on to the real treat…the food!




Kanao patiently helped us navigate the tapas style menu.  He explained that the Peruvian dishes had an Asian influence.

 

The first plate to arrive was the Crispy Quinoa Ensalada.  It appeared to be healthy...then we found out the crunchy quinoa was deep fried.  We agreed it was worth every greasy calorie and ordered seconds!

When the seared Anticucho Diver Scallops arrived every succulent morsel was immediately devoured (for this reason there is no photo.)  As Jackie explained, “It was the cracked pepper on top that made them exquisite.”  It was unanimous…the scallops were our favorite dish of the night!

I did hold back the HH to get a pic of the Costillitas, or BBQ baby-back ribs.  The sweet tender meat slid off the bone.  (I even spied a clean bone on the plate of a vegetarian!)

Completely satiated, we had little enthusiasm for dessert.  However, Kanoa, generously sent a few complimentary desserts to try.  The vanilla beach Pisco flan, chocolate bomba, and tres leche cake did not disappoint.  We joked about renaming ourselves, “THE HUNGRY HIPPOS!”

It was getting late and I began to have doubts about writing the Blog…it felt like a lot of work.  Menu details swirled around my head like a pretty Pisco Sour.  It was time to say adios to Peru and travel back to Kansas.

The limo finally landed around 10:30pm, my doubts dissolved and I looked forward to writing my Hungry Hippo…err, Housewife blog!

Thanks to Jackie for taking our taste buds on an exceptional adventure.  Also, a shout out to Lisa for her math skills…it’s never fun doing high finances after cocktails.  Thanks to Kathy for helping me with menu details and to Ann and Ellen for photos.

Reminder to HH:  The bill will be divided evenly...so eat, drink and be merry!

You will definitely want to indulge in our next Culinary Adventure on Thursday, July 11.  Amy has had a special evening planned for months!

Your Hungry Girlfriend,

Tiffany

The purpose of the Hungry Housewife Club is to get “Out of the Box” once a month and go on a fun, guilt-free Culinary Adventure with your girlfriends.

Definition of “Out of the Box”:  A dining establishment outside of the home where frivolous food experimentation has no boundaries!