Don Nico is one of the best high-end steakhouses in Lima. Writer contributor, Daniel Quintero, went for a visit after the pandemic to see what has changed since our last visit.
Our last visit
At the beginning of 2020, the TLIP team went to Don Nico, a high-end steakhouse in Miraflores, and the lovely Sheila Christensen Jeanneau wrote this review.
Usually, we don’t go back to places so frequently; however, a lot has happened in our lives since that time and finally, after nineteen long months of closure, Don Nico Stake House has opened its doors again to the public by reservation.
With a concise menu, you can still enjoy fantastic meat in the heart of Miraflores.
The first time I went to Don Nico (Miraflores) was by invitation in November 2019. I enjoyed the adventure: The meat was well done, and there were some luscious elements on the menu like Fois Gras.
During my first visit, I felt right back at home. I grew up in Caracas, a place where you can eat a lot of great meat. My first memory was with my mom, later with my best friend, and we would splurge on endless 4+ hours lunches on Friday or Sunday evenings with prime meats, a lot of scotch, and wine.
It was magic for me as a kid to see the maître make the steak tartar by the table back then and now. When the pandemic hit, I was worried for them, because this kind of business in Lima is hard to find and easy to disappear.
The earlier stages of reopening
September 2020, when businesses were reopening, we received at home a care package from Don Nico: A hot dog and a burger. They were reinventing themselves and now they were doing deliveries. It was sad to see the products that didn’t travel well as the previous experience.
Now on July 23rd, they invited me back to sit at their restaurant, I didn’t hesitate to go and this is what happened:
The place looked the same, an open space with their tiki decor. We were greeted, they took our temperatures and gave us sanitizer (which is now the standard to get into any inside space). We were seated by the window; it was not packed, but some people enjoyed their meals nearby. The menu is now digital (https://donnicosteakhouse.com/carta/), yet they will provide you one if you want the printed version. The music is smooth there was playing some chillout cover of Mr. Mister’s broken wings.
Recommended drinks
We had some drinks made by their Head Bartender, Allison Närro: An alcoholic Paloma margarita (it sounds like a telenovela name, doesn’t it?) made with tequila, triple sec, sweet lime and grapefruit soda. It was refreshing, balanced and an excellent starter for the meal to come. If you’re interested in a nonalcoholic drink, their pineapple-ginger drink is also fresh and very balanced on a sweeter side.
The updated menu
We realized the menu shrunk, however, it didn’t feel like much was missing, actually, it’s more of a steakhouse than before: No seafood, no fois gras, and fewer salad options.
To start, we got some portobellos stuffed with goat cheese and caramelized onions and their black sausage. I’m not a fan of black sausage but this one was superb! The portobellos on the other hand need a bit of tuning to allow the cheese to express itself better.
We noticed some new options: now the burgers and the hot dogs from the delivery are on the menu and there’s also a crispy chicken sandwich, the only seafood option is a grilled salmon.
Most of the prime meats, still angus certified, have now two different sizes in case you don’t want a humongous piece of beef. Sadly, there’s no more t-bone steak so, you won’t feel like Fred Flintstone. However, the prices are the same from 2019 and in some cases, they offer bigger portions for the same price and single-person portions.
As the main course, we got a 200 g “entraña” and it was cooked perfectly, the head griller, Elvis Campos Salinas, made it just as we asked for, with a pinch of salt on the side and their roasted garlic. Also ordered, the infamous St. Louis BBQ ribs. The meat was tender and loose from the bones, the BBQ sauce was on the sweeter (and a bit ketchupy) side. As a side, the papas “tumbay” is still the best- crunchy on the outside soft on the inside. The ribs come with their own sides: Coleslaw and white corn with cumin. There’re a few vegetable options so we got an “ensalada parrilera” (tomatoes, avocado, and lettuce), it was a fresh side which is always good.
A sweet ending
To finish the experience, their dessert option is limited to their berry’s cheesecake and while it was the only option, it was a great ending.
I wish that we have more of Don Nico to enjoy the steaks!
Even when their prime meats are still on the high end of the price range, the menu now has affordable options, so there’s something for everyone. A 2-person meal with one cocktail is S/. 300 on the high price point but can also be S/ 150 on a mid-range price.
Don Nico Miraflores is located Avenida Mariscal La Mar 901. Reservations at 957 222 896 work Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12:30 to 4:30 pm and from 6 to 10 pm, and Sundays from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Now, go out and eat well.
All photos sourced from Daniel Quintero
