Peru via Carnaby Street

An inexplicably sunny and warm Saturday lured us into Central London this weekend. With the sun on our backs and food on our minds (let's face it, it always is...), we ventured over to Kingly Court in search of sustenance. 

Just off Carnaby Street, Kingly Court is a sun-drenched courtyard that feels like a delicious little secret to everyone there. On this particular day, it was a little oasis just a stone's throw away from the tourist traps, and we couldn't be more grateful.

The seemingly impossible task of choosing where to eat was next on our agenda. Having done a circuit of the first floor, and stared indiscriminately at the plates of diners sat at the open window seats, we decided on Peruvian restaurant, Señor Ceviche. 

We were given the warmest of welcomes...

... and shown to our table. 

Chloe is the only person in the world I will happily share food with, so we chose liberally from Señor Ceviche's sharing-policy menu, and waited for the spoils to arrive. 

I can only assume that the chefs at Señor Ceviche are well-versed in magic, because what arrived was so utterly delicious that we sat, silent and in awe, for some time after our first bite.

First up was Chifa Chicharonnes - slow cooked pork belly bites in a soy sauce. Soft, melt-in-your-mouth pork with a crispy shell, bathed in a sticky, sweet and salty glaze, and topped with a smooth creamy sauce. We decided immediately that we could live on Chicharonnes for the rest of our lives.

And then, there were wings (we love a wing). Tamarind Chilli Wings to be exact. A devilishly dark and rich sauce, sweet, sticky, and with a warming, tantalising heat smothered generously-sized chicken wings that were moist and moreish with perfectly crisp skin. 

We allowed ourselves a main dish each as Chloe, understandably, fancied the Señor Ceviche, and I am not the biggest fan of seafood and fish. 

The Señor Ceviche definitely lived up to being the name-sake dish. Delicious citrus notes happily complimented the sea bream and octopus. The aji amarillo tiger's milk was full of flavour and the sweat potato puree gave the dish a depth and body that made it simply heaven to eat. 

I decided instead, to go for the Anticucho de Pollo. Tender chunks of chicken balanced delicately on skewers above pools of Amarillo and huacatay sauce and cool, creamy coriander yoghurt. This arrived with sweet potato fries and delectable Frijoles Negras, with bacon, burnt aubergine and a small hill of sour cream.  

We left convinced that we had to return, and that we should move to Peru immediately. A definite soul-soothing must-visit if you're burnt-out after shopping on Oxford Street.

Stephanie x