Mo-Chica

Down in a crap part of LA sort of near USC but far enough away from anything worth caring about that you'll be wondering why exactly it is you're driving on this desolate stretch of Grand Ave., you'll find the welcoming faux Spanish arches of the Mercado Paloma, and as soon as you take one bite of chef Ricardo Zarate's Peruvian style ceviche you'll find yourself making excuses to be in that crap part of LA again and again.
Mo-Chica is not your mama's Peruvian food, but rather Peruvian food elevated to a level of finesse in preparation and quality that would be right at home on the tables of this city's finest restaurants. Everything is incredibly fresh and the menu market driven with daily specials. Chef Zarate digs deep into Incan food traditions and then gives them his own contemporary spin. No greasy soy sauce drenched saltados here, thank you very much. Think Lamb Shank w/cilantro beer sauce or a Quinoa Risotto w/ wild mushrooms. Any fish dish you order will be perfectly prepared and fresher than fresh thanks to Chef Zarate's tenures as Executive Chef at sushi restaurants here and in London. That food of this calibur is being served inside what is essentially a market food court with no ambiance and at amazingly low prices is kind of crazy. Go now before some financial backer comes along and whisks him away to new fancy digs with prices to match. BTW, there is no beer or wine license and alcohol is not allowed on the premises, but there are the usual fast food drink selections and an array of traditional drinks including Cebada, a refreshing mix of barley iced tea with herbs and ginger. Also, Mo-chica occasionally offers a six course tasting menu for $35. that is an incredible bargain. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook for details.