#United States #San Francisco #La Mar Cocina #Gastón Acurio #Victoriano Lopez

La Mar Cocina Peruana's Refreshing Transformation

San Francisco’s culinary scene just got a remarkable upgrade with the grand unveiling of La Mar Cocina Peruana’s latest renovation and an exciting new menu. Founded by the esteemed chef Gastón Acurio, La Mar has been an iconic dining destination for 17 years, attracting locals and tourists alike to its stunning location along the Embarcadero waterfront. Under the creative guidance of Executive Chef Victoriano Lopez, the restaurant is stepping into a new era of taste and design.

A New Look Inspired by Peru

The recent changes extend beyond the menu; the restaurant's interiors have received a complete makeover, designed by the San Francisco-based agency Eight Inc. The refreshed design draws profound inspiration from Peru’s rich culture, creating a harmonious blend that resonates with the restaurant's coastal location. With polished features like deep cyan ceramic tiling, Naugahyde indigo tide banquettes, and distinct lighting that shifts the ambiance from day to night, every corner of La Mar has been thoughtfully curated to enhance the dining experience.

The renovation unites five distinct areas of the restaurant—including the bar, lobby, Chef’s Table, main dining, and outdoor patio—creating a seamless experience that encourages guests to linger and appreciate the beauty of Peruvian dining. A new overhang partially encloses the kitchen, concentrating energy within the dining room, while fluted glass panels provide a semi-private space for intimate meals.

Chef Lopez’s Culinary Revival

Chef Victoriano Lopez’s innovations do not stop at the design—they extend to an enriched menu that highlights authentic Peruvian flavors. After a recent trip back to Peru, where he collaborated with Acurio in Lima’s vibrant culinary hub, Lopez has infused the menu with fresh inspirations and elevated presentations, all centered around high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Some noteworthy additions to the lunch and dinner menus include:

• - Cebiche Victoriano: A delightful dish featuring local halibut with sunchoke leche de tigre, sweet potatoes, and artichoke chips.
• - La Grand Bandeja Cebichera: An impressive platter offering a variety of traditional cebiche preparations, perfect for sharing.
• - Tiradito al Olivo: Spanish octopus served innovatively with a purple potato sauce, crispy octopus chicharron, and habanero oil.
• - Arroz Con Cangrejo: A large-format dish designed for sharing that features arborio rice in a rich Dungeness crab broth.

Additionally, the Chef's Tasting Menu has been refreshed and now includes vibrant, authentic options priced at $109 per guest.

A Commitment to Excellence

The mission of La Mar remains steadfast: to provide an unforgettable dining experience that not only celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Peru but also showcases the farm-to-table ethos so integral to modern dining. Director of Operations, Thomas Medl, expresses excitement about the renovation, stating, “This transformation elevates the guest experience visually and functionally, while staying true to our sea-to-table philosophy.” La Mar has always aimed to be more than just a restaurant; it’s a gathering place where guests can forge lasting memories over exceptional cuisine.

La Mar Cocina Peruana extends an invitation to all to explore this revitalized dining experience. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner at Pier 1 ½, guests can now indulge in world-class Peruvian cuisine in a setting that beautifully blends tradition and modernity. Reservations can be made via LaMarSF.com or through OpenTable.

With the backing of Acurio International, La Mar continues to set the bar high for Peruvian dining, further solidifying its place as a flagship experience not just in San Francisco but across the globe. As La Mar embraces its new identity, both locals and visitors can look forward to new explorations of flavors and cultural appreciation in every dish served.

For those who have yet to experience La Mar, it's time to immerse yourself in a world where culinary innovation meets rich traditions, right on the waterfront of San Francisco.