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Mel's Cafe/Restaurant

by Ben Jonjak

Mel's Cafe/RestaurantNot too long ago 399 Av. Jose Pardo Tienda 1-A was a little book store. I used to glance at it on my way to Energym, and the only time I ever went in was when I noticed the huge "going out of business" sale cards plastered all over the walls.

The store quickly closed after that, and in the intervening months there was a flurry of activity as the whole outside area of the store was remodeled. Before, 399 Pardo tienda 1-A was fairly small and set back from the street with a large concrete area in front that was used for parking. Now, however, the parking area has been converted into an elegant dining room and, as you can see from the photo, you even get your own rose on every table.

Mel's Cafe/RestaurantI've been to Mel's twice: once for breakfast and once for dinner and I have to say that both times the meals were quite good. Generally for Lima, my favorite place for breakfast is Haiti, and my favorite place for dinner is Astrid & Gaston. Mel's hasn't done enough yet to take me off my preference for the other two, but it makes for a nice alternative when I'm in the mood for a change.

Mel's is nice and open with window pannels that allow you to watch the people pass by in the street (always entertaining). The servers are polite and prompt (which is admittedly unusual in Lima), although part of that might be due to the fact that Mel's is only a couple months old and doesn't quite have the clientele of other places yet.

Mel's Cafe/RestaurantFor dinner, I decided to order Mel's brochetas. At first, I thought the price was excessive at 34 Soles, but when they arrived I realized that Mel's brochetas is a filling meal for two people. In fact, I was there with my girlfriend and we weren't able to finish the meal.

The brochetas come with four different types of meat (fish, chicken, beef, and pork) interspersed with sections of green and red pepper and mushrooms. As an accompanyment, there were also two pieces of potato wrapped in bacon and a peach half with some strawberry flavored filling poured over it.

Along with the two glasses of strawberry juice, the meal came to just under 50 Soles for two. As I was eating, I couldn't help but laugh at all the poor souls back in the states who are spending the same amount of money on two extra value meals at McDonald's. Heck, I was laughing at the people in Peru who spend the same amount of money on similar garbage (yes, McDonald's has invaded with their inferior product at inflated prices).  So if you're in the neighborhood, check out Mel's.  It's elegant dining at very reasonable prices!




Add a comment :
5 comments

lima guy says :
11-02-09,06:31:53

??

elizabeth says :
11-02-09,07:06:22

Ben:  Thanks for your review, but really, 50 soles for a one meal split for two and two juices?  That's outrageous.  If your favorite places are Haiti and Astrid and Gaston, move on off the beaten (and tourist track) and discover other delicious and more reasonable places in Lima.  Ask the locals, and better yet, skip the dinners and eat your big meal at lunch and visit one of the small local places for the "executive menu of the day" for a delicious, healthy meal of an appetizer, main dish, dessert and a drink for 10 soles.  Then you can really have a chuckle thinking of your friends eating a big mac and fries for the same money. 

strawberry says :
11-02-09,11:50:30

Strawberry juice with brochetas?? what a mix, no thanks.

Ben Jonjak says :
13-02-09,09:35:09

Hello Elizabeth,
Yes, I know about the 10 Sol menus, they are excellent.  Actually you can find many for between 5 and 7 Soles.  However, I find the portions are usually pretty small.  With the brochetas I had at Mel's, I could only finish half of one and my girlfriend finished about a third of the other.  It was a lot of meat, and it fed us for the equivalent of about 5 meals (because we took the leftovers home) so you can see that 50 Soles was a fair price.

Obviously I don't go out to Gaston more than once or twice a year (if I could afford it more often I would), but every now and then it's worth spending the extra money for the ambiance and the expertly prepared food.

However, I agree that it might be nice to start a series on the best lunch menus around Lima.  I have a couple in mind, but if you want to provide some suggestions, please be my guest.
Sincerely,
Ben Jonjak 

elizabeth says :
14-02-09,06:37:01

Hi Ben.  Yes, I would definitely agree that if you got five additional meals from your leftovers makes the 50 soles worth it.  However, eating leftover fish (??) and meats that many times isn't my cup of tea.  Just walking down Larco will bring you to many good lunch places, there are too many to mention.  Buen appetite!!



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