{Photograph} courtesy of Tio Lucho
For the previous yr, chef Arnaldo Castillo (beforehand of Minero) has been sharing his Peruvian roots by a pop-up dubbed La Chingana. Now, he’s giving his delicacies a everlasting dwelling with the opening of Tio Lucho, a coastal Peruvian restaurant, within the former CO house in Poncey-Highland. Slated to launch in June, Tio Lucho is the brainchild of Castillo and Candy Auburn Barbecue’s Howard Hsu. It’s an ode to Castillo’s heritage with dishes impressed by his upbringing and a reputation that pays homage to his father, Luis. (Lucho is a nickname for Luis.)
“My dad was a giant inspiration for me stepping into meals,” Castillo says. “I’d achieved occasions with Howard [Hsu] prior to now and bought to check dishes by La Chingana. I wish to use seasonal elements, native meat, and regional seafood to spotlight Peruvian dishes.”
{Photograph} courtesy of Tio Lucho
Tio Lucho will serve sharable gadgets that mirror Peru’s numerous historical past, bringing in indigenous, Japanese, Chinese language, and Creole flavors. Castillo grew up within the coastal neighborhood of Buda, so his menu will likely be heavy on seafood. Choices could embody ceviche, crudo, and jalea (fried seafood), in addition to bigger gadgets like a complete cowboy ribeye with plantain fries and quail egg (a play on bistecca), and grilled snapper with an escabeche-like taste profile.
“I’m excited to carry Peruvian meals to the lots,” Castillo says.
Dylan Sleigh of Kimball Home will lead the bar program, creating Latin-inspired cocktails like pisco sours, caipirinhas, frozen margaritas, and chilcanos (much like pisco sours with ginger ale). Wines will stem from Chile and Argentina, in addition to Spain and Portugal. Beer choices embody Michelada, Tecante, Modelo, and choose native brews.
{Photograph} courtesy of Tio Lucho
The three,000-square-foot house will mirror the greenery of life in Lima and Buda, with vegetation hanging from the ceiling and use of heat woods and metals. A cement partition is designed to elicit of emotions of a Latin seashore home. The 12-seat bar options teal tile on the underside for a “fish scale look,” Castillo says. There’s additionally a 50-seat patio, which Hsu and Castillo are contemplating connecting to the eating room with garage-style doorways.
As soon as Tio Lucho is up and working, Hsu will flip his consideration to McDonough, the place he’s opening a Candy Auburn Barbecue location in August or September.
