Washington Avenue Historic District has many restaurants, but only one is Peruvian.

Mango has a sharp edge to it. Clean, crisp, white linens greet guests at each table, the high ceilings say “grandeur,” the warm colors and art say “style and heritage.” It’s the only Peruvian restaurant in the city, so there’s truly nothing else like it.

Once you’re guided to your table, take in the scene on the streets from the huge open windows that pour light into the restaurant. As you’re seated, plantain chips and a dipping sauce that resembles a chimichurri are brought to you.

Choose your drink wisely, as a couple of Peruvian classics sit among the usuals. Inca Kola, Mango Iced Tea, Costa Mala Coffee and loose leaf tea are some of the options. For those of us still drinking coffee at lunch (where are my people?!), the Costa Mala coffee is the last punch you need for the day. Deep, not too acidic and rich; one cup might be just what you need.

For lunch you’ll find hot, small plates like:

• Empanadas which are baked pastries with beef, onions, raisins, olives and sweet peppers;
  
• Aguadito de Pollo, which is rich chicken soup with rice, vegetables and Peruvian spices in a citrus-cilantro broth; and
  
• Anticuchos, which are marinated and grilled skewers served with dipping sauce and Andean corn, available in beef, chicken, beef heart or a trio.

Chilled small plates include:

• Solterito, a light, cold pilaf of quinoa, cherry tomatoes, fava beans, avocado, potato, choclo, queso fresco, red pepper, parsley and citrus vinaigrette;

• Palta Rellena, an avocado stuffed with creamy vegetable salad and served on a bed of lettuce with fresh citrus dressing; and

• Ceviche de Pescado, a traditional Peruvian dish of today’s fish, cold-cured in freshly-squeezed citrus juices with Peruvian peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro.

Although you can eat dinner at Mango throughout the week, go on Friday and Saturday nights when they’ve opened up their second dining room--which normally holds private events. The art installation above the bar is a gorgeous combination of copper and teal design, pulling in the traditional and modern sides of South America. Check out the tables that are up to the windows. They have a long bench on one side, and are perfect for a gathering of friends. 

Ahead of dinner, try a Pisco Sour, the national drink of Peru. It’s made with pisco (a brandy produced in the winemaking region of Peru), simple syrup, key lime juice and egg white. Never had a drink with egg white? No worries, it’s pasteurized, so just enjoy the frothiness it adds to your drink. And don’t forget your Plantains, and your Lomo Saltado, and your Ceviche, and maybe some Yuca Frita? Just order a bunch of dishes to share and enjoy the warm atmosphere.

And while you’re sitting there relaxing, check flights to Peru, and get everyone on board to split the hotel. I mean you’ve already been immersed into the Peruvian culture at Mango, so you’re halfway there already! Cheers!

Want to learn even more about what Mango has to offer? Go visit them.