Get Your Spicy Food Fix At La Granja For NYC’s First Peruvian Restaurant Week

We are a little late in the game, but this year, December 8-19 was officially declared New York City’s Peruvian Picante Restaurant Week by the city’s Trade Commission of Peru and LatinLover Food & Travel Magazine.

Eight of the best Peruvian restaurants across the city are offering spicy prix fixe menus infused with aji amarillo, the yellow chili pepper essential to Peruvian cuisine, for just $35. Fortunately for us, Bensonhurst’s La Granja Peruvian Restaurant (1928 Bath Avenue) – an awesome spot we stumbled upon last spring – is participating in the food festival. Unfortunately for us, it is over in just three days, so I made sure to stop by La Granja for lunch today and try their special yellow menu.

I had the creamy papa a la Huancaina (Huancayo-style potatoes), the aji de galina (chicken in spicy sauce) and their signature cocktail, Granja Sour – a thick mango drink. Despite the picante (spicy in Spanish) descriptor, aji peppers are relatively mild, with just enough kick to add flavor.

My server, Carla, agreed, “I think it’s perfect. It’s not too hot like you can’t eat it, but just spicy enough.”

Peruvian Restaurant Week continues through Friday, so get in on the spiciness while you still can.

Tip: You can also enter for a chance to win a free gift certificate by visiting one of the participating locations and posting photos of your food on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #PeruPicanteNYC, along with the name of the restaurant. For more information about this promotion visit the Naturally Peru website.