Living in Peru : your everyday companion

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Madeira Restaurant on Benavides which was hosting a wine dinner. Madeira is a relatively new restaurant that's only been on the ever-expanding Peruvian scene for about two years. However, after sampling the creations of Chef Daniel Sologuren Chavez, I have no doubt that Madeira will be a popular choice for many years to come.

The first thing you notice about Madeira is the elegance and soft lighting of the dining area. It's a charming atmosphere that almost recreates the intimacy of a candlelight dinner. Also of prominence is the bar area which boasts a surprising variety of Pisco labels. I was informed that Madeira does Pisco dinners as well as wine dinners, and I look forward to sampling one of those as well.

Our first entrée was "Entrana fina a la parilla" with an accompanying salad. The wine was Robert Mondavi Woodbrige Merlot 2006. It was an excellent pairing, as the meat had a full and rich flavor. It was, perhaps, a bit chewy, but the sensation was pleasant as the flavor changed when you mixed it with the wine.

The second plate was "Asado de Tira" on top of a bed of rice. This was an extremely soft meat which melted in your mouth and provided a wonderful contrast to the first dish. The wine was Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. The portion was a perfect size which left you feeling full but not bloated, and ready to enjoy the round of desserts.

Following a palette cleansing sorbet, we were served a magnificent "Tortita de cuatro leches." Most of you are familiar with the ever popular "Tres leches," a pastry I thought was perfect until I came across this variation which has added a "leche de licor." The existence of this dish alone virtually guarantees my prompt return to Madeira.

In another interesting twist, the final pastry was accompanied by a serving of Pisco (Pisco Viejo Tonel Mosto Verde). The "Cuatro leches" provided a dominant flavor which the Pisco prominently underscored.

Overall, the Madeira wine dinner was a uniquely pleasant experience. The portions were a very comfortable size and the duration of the event was not so long as to completely dominate the evening. At S/. 89, this is a great value and I'm looking forward to their next offering in the upcoming month. But even when they're not offering a wine dinner, most of the served items appear on the regular menu. At Madeira, a person can expect to spend around $25 for a dinner and an accompanying glass of wine. Check it out for a wonderful evening of delicious food in a fantastic ambiance!