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Boca Raton meets Peruvian Cuisine

By: Bryanna Basilio

What sprouted from an idea seven years has finally came into fruition for a group of Peruvians.

“Different reasons held us back but the right scenario presented itself about a year go and we decided to start looking for a location,” said Carlo Chiarella, one of the owners of Boca Raton’s new Peruvian restaurant “Warike.”

“It took us 7 months to find the right spot and we are glad we didn’t settle easily. We are very happy with the area.”

Not be confused with another peruvian restaurant, “El Warike Peruvian Cuisine” in Bradenton, ‘Warike Peruvian Bistro’ has called Boca Raton home for nearly three months, when it was established in early July.

Warike has already received good reception among customers.

“So far it has exceeded our expectations considering the type of cuisine and that we are in the middle of the slow season,” said Chiarella. “The reviews keep coming every day, we almost have 50 amazing reviews on different sites such as Yelp, Google, Trip Advisor, Facebook and Instagram and we’ve been opened for a little over a month.

We are thrilled by the acceptance and humbled by the comments.”

Bringing a different ambiance and approach, Warike Peruvian Bistro brings a different ambiance and approach. The bistro strives for patrons to experience culture through food. Peru’s cuisine is on it’s way to become one of the big ethnic food groups along with Italian, Chinese, Mexican, French, etc.

“Soon enough people will start saying ‘let’s eat Peruvian’ as you say when deciding where to go,” said Chiarella. “Boca Raton did not have a Peruvian restaurant for a few years and Warike wanted to bring the unique flavors of the Peruvian cuisine back to the locals.”

What is interesting about Warike is their “traditional but with a twist” approach for food.

“The food is homemade cooking made gourmet due to the way we present the dishes without sacrificing flavors. There is an actual Peruvian mother (my mother and partner) cooking and taking the role of Executive Chef. Besides the amazing food, we make our guests feel welcome and understand great service is a must.”

Price is also very important to Warike Peruvian Bistro said the part-owner.

“We want to stay competitive with the closest restaurants, not only Peruvian.”

According to the employees, Warike has done extensive research to find the right products at the right price.  “During the week we serve a lot of office employees so we feature a very reasonable lunch menu, considering what the restaurants next to us have on their menus. Our dinner options are not expensive either, there’s something for every pocket.”

Comfort food is described differently by whoever you ask but Warike has one main goal for how they want to be comfort food. “With every bite you’re transported to an special place,” said Chiarella.

“If you are Peruvian, it would definitely take you back home and reminiscence of that other time you felt happy. If you are not Peruvian and you’re trying it for the first time it will take you to a new amazing place and you will think how you missed out all this years but glad you found these taste. Flavors can trigger memories and create new ones.”

Warike is a casual bistro and accepts walk-ins as well as reservations. Weekend reservations are suggested as it is small restaurant. If there happens to be a wait, the restaurant boasts a wine and beer bar where patrons can eat and drink or wait to be seated.

“Our decor is different than other Peruvian restaurants. Very modern and chic with accents of Peruvian elements.”

As for the common questions of what “Warike” means, there is a historical significance. Interestingly enough, Warike is not a Spanish word, but originates from Quechua; an ancient language spoken in Peru, created by the great Inca empire who built Machu Picchu.

“It’s actually a combination of two words,” said Chiarella. “‘Hidden’ or ‘unknown’ and ‘rike’ which means stew.”

In Peru, locals use this term to describe a hole in the wall with amazing food.

For more information or to view the menu visit warikeboca.com

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