Machu Picchu Restaurant, Oakville

Mango Peruvian Cuisine (1101 Lucas Avenue, 314-621-9993)

The Hours: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and late-night pleased time Monday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The offer: $5 margaritas, martinis and wines, $3 premium drafts, $16 pitchers of sangria and $5 select small-plate dishes.

• Caillin Murray
• The plantain potato chips with cool lime salsa at Mango.

The Scene: Mango is a hip small Peruvian restaurant and bar situated a quick leave from Washington Avenue into the heart of downtown St. Louis. The restaurant is promoted as "the sole Peruvian restaurant in St. Louis, " so that as far as we understand, which is precise. In case the concept of Peru involves Machu Picchu and free-roaming llamas, after that check always yourself within home - Mango is an extremely stylish, contemporary area with an upscale, yet exotic selection. The dim lighting provides restaurant an air of affluence - we dreaded we were planning to spend our life cost savings to wine and dine. But the meals isn't therefore costly, and it's really made a lot more inexpensive during happy time.

Gut check always tried the small plates on special, the meat anticuchos, which are meat skewers served with chunky Andean corn. The more adventurous, there is a choice of using the anticuchos de corazón - those whom speak Spanish know which means that these skewers are made utilizing beef heart. Notably absent (maybe for the right) through the menu had been cuy, an Andean delicacy manufactured from roasted guinea-pig, which Gut Check has received the pleasure (misfortune?) when trying on a call to Peru. The remainder selection is quite genuine and true to Peruvian kind. Native Peruano, mind chef and owner Jorge Calvo introduced an all-Peruvian cooking staff to cook at his restaurant, therefore the menu reflects that credibility.

• The pomegranate martini at Mango.

The $5 margaritas, martinis and wines are also well worth mentioning. Fashioned with quality ingredients, like gray Goose vodka and pomegranate liqueur, these beverages typically operate between $8 and ten dollars. Rate your self - the martinis tend to be nice, but surprisingly stiff.

The reason why might return: Mango's undertake chips and salsa ended up being so addicting we might must enter rehab. Instead of the classic tortilla potato chips and tomato salsa combo, Mango serves complimentary plantain chips with a cool lime salsa that has been merely using this world. If it alone does not allow you to be desire to revisit Mango, that's good. Even more for us.

The Verdict: Mango is a reasonable, adventurous choice on Wash. Ave. It could be your just chance to take to Peruvian meals in St. Louis, so if Imo's Pizza or T-ravs (or T-ravs at Imo's) ever get old (yeah, yeah), try the empanadas or fried yucca at Mango.