El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru

I popped into this place after seeing Frankenstein at the Rialto. I expected it to be your average Peruvian but was pleasantly surprised by how extensive the menu was! I saw that they had a combo of Tallarin Verde a Peruvian pesto pasta with Lomo Saltado on the menu. I've made it a point to order this whenever I see it pop up on a Peruvian restaurant menu. It's a combo of my two favorite Peruvian dishes and this one did not disappoint! The pasta was flavorful and cooked to perfection. The Lomo Saltado was tender and the sauce was delicious. The wait staff was also wonderful, very friendly and attentive! If I'm ever this way again by myself or with friends, I will make it a point to stop by this fine restaurant!

Had the patacones, the mixed anticuchos, the mushroom saltado, the light chicha morada and the miti miti (half chicha half passionfruit drink). The patacones were nothing special but the sauce on top was delicious. The chicken and beef heart anticuchos were slightly dry but had a good flavor. The mushroom saltado was delicious, if on the slightly saltier side (which I like but just a heads up). The drinks were on the less sweet side (which I also think worked well). Dog allowed in the outdoor seating (which has heating) but not indoors. Servers forgot about us at the start, which was annoying, but were friendly and attentive after the initial snafu.

Some of the best food and customer service I’ve got in a long while they earned a lifetime customer great food. The ladies were very friendly, respectful, and the chefs really put love into their food 👌🏽

This place is phenomenal! I highly recommend. The food is fresh. The portions are generous, and the Shellfish is cooked to perfection. The dinner salad was lightly dressed, crisp- really fresh. We tried the fried plantain pancakes with dipping sauce, and I could’ve eaten a whole bowl of the dipping sauce alone, it was that good. The portions were extremely generous, and we love to eat AND we’re not tiny people. There is literally something for everyone- gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian. I can’t wait to come back. This will be our go to place. PS- The staff was friendly and attentive, even though we came in 30minutes before closing. ( yes we were those people and I am so sorry!) We promise to come in earlier Next time.

We were looking for a place to have an early dinner before heading back to the South Bay and decided to try this Peruvian restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was great! They also had live music when we arrived which really made the atmosphere much more lively. They have so many great options and I ordered the Antonio’s Pescado al Achiote which is a rice dish with fish and shrimp in a rich creamy sauce. Definitely happy with my choice and looking forward to making a stop at El Mono next time I’m in the area.