Paila Peruvian?

[nhennies]

Has anyone been to Paila Peruvian Cuisine on E. 7th? I think it's a pretty new place and I can't seem to find much of anything about it on the web (citysearch, chronicle, etc.). If you've been, a) is it good, and b) do they have any vegetarian options?

Thanks!

[AnaSw]

It is such a pity that some of you guys had a bad experience in the only Peruvian restaurant that Austin had. I'm Peruvian and although I cook Peruvian food all the time, sometimes I want to take a break and go to a Peruvian restaurant instead. All I can tell you is to be patient and hopefully somebody finally opens a good and CHEAP. I went to Paila once and it was way to expensive :( and the food was OK.

[carmencarolina]

hi Ana, I'm peruvian too. Do you know another peruvian restaurant in Austin area? I miss a lot our delicious cousine. thanks,
Carmen

[nydanny24]

Try Rocotos is in San Antonio, I absolutely love it! pollos a la braza and most of the peruvian menu is there! 210 521 4367 is their number

[thrackle]

Is this place still around? If so, how do I find it? I drove by where I thought it was (5100 block of E. 7th street) and didn't see it; I called their number and got the dreaded *beep* *beep* *beep* "We're sorry, the number you dialed is not a working number"

[tom in austin]

I doubt they're still around. I visited the place a few times, and each time they were iffier and iffier, with worsening food and patronage. Sorry.

[Carter B.]

Never went there but in case you want to do a drive by, it's all the way down 7th on the north side right before you get to the big 183/Airport/7th intersection (coming from 35/downtown)

[lshoes]

I contacted them through their MySpace page and the answer is that they are looking for a new location. They will post info there when they find one!

[jackietreehorn]

I just saw this place hawking treats at the MACC opening. Do they sell Inca Cola? What about cuy? For the uninitiated, this is deep-fried whole guinea pig, which owes it's appellation to the supposed noises they make when they are dropped in oil while still squirming. Also, what about pisco wines and pisco sours (think of Rocky's fortifying egg drink, but with pisco and blended)? Do they serve them? I have to say, much of what you guys are describing doesn't resemble any of the wonderful local and simple food I've had in Peru. It sounds, though, quite a bit like some of the high-end fusion cuisine that's proliferated in Lima. I guess this is wise when pitching a rather traditional food to a market yearning for culinary exoticism, and willing to pay premium for it.

[Nab]

I really wanted to go to the MACC opening, but just couldn't squeeze it into my day. I saw a bunch of tents set up, tons of people there, and was so damn curious to find out about the eats. What did they have ?

[jackietreehorn]

Actually, I thought the food offerings were decidedly uninteresting and non-ethnic. I saw one stand offering cheeseburgers and another with sausage wraps--very disappointing, and a bit pricey, especially since, thankfully, the opening was attended--as far as you can tell these things--by Latinos from a range of socioeconomic strata. I had hope this was not an event attended only by the well-heeled Austin glitterati angling to show-off their cosmopolitanism and, with a few exceptions, I was not disappointed. Oh, and they had a free slice of HEB cake. Ugh.

[tom in austin]

I'm going to this place next week and wanted to seek other Chowhound opinions. If you've been here and have any advice for me, or just advice about Peruvian cuisine, pile on! I've never had Peruvian food before!

[onetnecm]

Hi Tom- I'd be happy to reply. Peruvian food is varied and representative of the different regions throughout Peru. For the mainlanders, a dish like lomo saltado (a beef stirfry mixed with thick-cut steak fries served alongside a side of rice) or causa limena (which can be either vegetarian or meat-filled but is mostly boiled potato sculpted into a rounded shape and filled with your selected food item) would fare well. For more sea-faring folk, I would recommend the ceviche, which is a white fish marinated(cooked) in lime juice and served with a starchy corn, slivers of red onion and half of a boiled sweet potato (to contrast the acidity). You can also order arroz con pollo, which is actually absolutely different from your typical yellow rice dish- this one is served with green rice( a result of combining spinach and cilantro)! Last, not certainly not least, I would highly recommend you request the lucuma ice cream, which is truly a treat. :) It has a sandy texture and a mapley flavor like no other. Also, don't forget to try the Inca Cola!

[pankofish]

We went there the other day and had the causa, which was pretty terrible. it was filled with obviously frozen vegetables (come on - peas and carrots?) and a couple of slivers of avocado. There was also a really, really bad, um, "septic" smell on the patio. That's not so good for eating. I'd give it another try (they have tripe and beef heart!), but after a little while. It was also too expensive for the style/quality of food. 2 drinks (tea and the purple stuff - pretty good, actually), 2 apps (causa) and 1 order of fried yucca + tip was $32. Huh?

[catarata]

panko, the same thing happened to us! The sewer smell (ick!) and the ridiculously expensive tab at the end -- $50 bucks in our case (1 app, 1 app that never came, sodas, and 2 entrees). We tried to order the tripe and beef heart but they were "out"
This place is just no good. :(

[boccatta]

I went to Paila last Saturday, after reading these last two comments I was hesitant to visit but I figured it was worth to give it a shot,since I have heard and read a lot of good things about Peruvian food but never had a chance to try it before. The place is really nice and no bad smell experience for us, however we asked our waiter and he stated that the sewer smell is in the area, unfortunately nothing they can do about. However, the ambiance is great, the food is delicious (try the Chicharron de Pollo), good luck to you guys, we will definately be back

[kellie]

Interesting set up. The dining area is seperate from the kitchen. Makes one wonder why. Food was okay-but it could be frozen meals. Purple stuff was good. I would have it again. Not so sure about the smell.

[OkieinTexas]

Now Tom, just in case you get a real liking to pisco sours, and that is an easy thing to do by the way, I have a few bottles of good pisco to sale cheap! Contact me if you or know anyone who might be interested.
[e-mail]
Thanks

[yehudimenuhin]

Drove by there last night and they were closed. Looks like a nice, newish building. Large parking lot and handsome trees.

What's the word? Are they closed for dinner? Are they closed on tuesday nights? Is it family holiday time.

Or are they just closed?

I lived in Lima for a year and am jonesin for some lomo saltado and real pisco sours.

[Peruian]

Hi, Paila is opened from Wednesday through Sunday (W-S: 11 - 9 p.m) Sunday is open from 1 - 4 for Buffet Criollo. Try the Ceviche or the Lomo Saltado...Highly recomended!!

[NirvRush]

gotta ask...what is "Buffet Criollo"?

[yehudimenuhin]

It's a buffet of Peruvian cuisine. Criollo = creole, more or less--indicating the variety of influences (spanish, indian, french, and chinese).

Peruvian buffets rock. My second favorite restaurant in Lima (Costa Verde) has the World's Record for the most expansive (and it's one of the best) buffet.

I've been waiting for a Peruvian place to open up here for years.

[OkieinTexas]

I have several bottles of good Pisco, that I will sale pretty cheap. Of course it all came from Lima, but I can not drink anymore. So I need to get rid of it.
E-Mailto: [e-mail]
Thanks

[lovinit]

A) It's really good
B) they have a "Causa Rellena" which they can make with vegetables...my favorite dish, personally. but they are also pretty accomodating to their vegetarian guests. my friend went there recently and they made a dish especially for her.