One last busy day in Lima - part III - ChocoMuseo, Inka Plaza, and some burgers

During my final afternoon in Lima I was to try out one of the chocolate workshops at the Choco Museo, which is within Inka Plaza. If there was any doubt that you were within the epicenter of souvenir shopping in Lima, the walk over to Inka Plaza from the Parque Kennedy area would clear that up for you right quick.

I was there for the Bean to Bar workshop, 3pm version. I got there a few minutes early. Easy to find the location, but didn't seem like they were getting ready for anything quite yet.

I spoke with one of the young women to understand what was going on. She seemed a little surprised to hear that I was part of the upcoming session, as it would be en español. Apparently una familia Mexicana had booked up most of the slots in the 3pm session. I thought I was to be testing an english version of the experience, too. But I told her that sí, hablo español, entonces no habrá ningún inconveniente. However, I did still have a few minutes until the workshop started, so I did a quick spin of the pasillos in Inka Plaza. Good to see some familiar items that Judy and I had picked up back during our visit in 2006. Our golden sun mirror is long gone, but we still have maybe 4 of those little foldable stools that we paid $6 each for. Now they run like $20+. Inflation.

Eventually we did start the bean to bar workshop. We began with making our own chocolate bar. Step one was picking your preferred chocolate, dark or milk. I'm a dark chocolate fan. But since I would be sharing my handiwork with Judy, I opted for milk chocolate.

Next it was time for the toppings. I felt that quinoa y almendras would be a good combo (spoiler alert: I was right). Lot of choices and you can see how kids or anyone with a sweet tooth could get carried away.

Once you've got your bars all done they are taken away and set in the nearby fridge.

Then it's education time. First you get introduced to the gigantic cacao fruit. And yes, junior did seem to be wearing pajamas and that face was representative of his mood for most of the workshop. But his two sisters, mom, and su abuela were there to keep him entertained and in check.

Next we got a lesson about the fermentation process. Definitely did not know any of this.

Then it was bean roasting time. We were told to pick out 6 good ones each for collective roasting.

Around this time I was fading and less vigilant in capturing every step of the workshop. We tried a couple of traditional drinks. One dating back to Incan times, another more Mexican in nature. I was happy with my bean grinding skills.

And of course I was pleased with my final product. Combo learning experience, hands-on activity, and a built-in gift to bring home for the wife.

Now I had about 90 minutes or so before my car would take me to the airport. I decided to hit one of the Inka Plaza locales and get a baby alpaca tapete for the dogs. Lucha approved once it got home.

I also decided to patronize the McDonald's at the northern tip of Parque 7 Junio. If you look closely you can see a Burger King sign across the way. I had tried the BK on my first night in Lima. Didn't love it. If you're deciding between which US mainstream burger place to eat at during your visit in Miraflores, I highly recommend the McDonald's. Much better atmosphere.

Two hours later I doubled down. Yes, I went for Burger Boy at the airport. Well, not a true double down. Went the healthy route with a chicken sandwich at McDonald's. But a double dinner nonetheless. Slept pretty well on the red eye back to Mexico City.

Quick Review: 100 Pesos Burger (Del Valle Norte, CDMX)

In the 4 years we have been living in Del Valle Centro this is at least the 3rd incarnation of the location @ Pedro Romero de Terreros and Avenida Coyoacán. First I recall was an Italian / Pizza place that wasn't bad. Then it became a kids clothing store that might also have sold ice cream. Now it's 100 Pesos Burger. Storefront got my attention while under construction as I was walking by what feels like just a couple weeks ago, but I see it already has ~100 reviews.

We reviewed the menu, placed our order, and grabbed a table outside.

Menu is pretty simple.

Do you want a 100g sencilla for 100 pesos or a 200g doble for 150 pesos?

Do you want the default, which is that it comes with everything?

Everything includes ...
Papatinas (potato sticks ... is this becoming a thing? Saw this on the Burger King menu in Lima, but as papas al hilo. Ordered by accident thinking it might be Peruvian spanish for papas a la francesa. Disappointing.)
Jalapeños
Pepinillos
Cebolla
Aderezo
Mostaza
Ketchup
Queso

Maybe a side of papas a la francesa (clearly labeled)?

Do you want one of the 3 aguas de sabores (Fresa, Limon, Chia ... I think?), or a Carta Blanca? All beverages were 50 pesos if I recall correctly. Saw a lot of tables with Carta Blancas on them. Kinda hipster, akin to Mexico's answer to PBR. Don't get me wrong, great value mainstream economy beer that I was enjoying regularly a few years ago. But it's a hipster choice.

Then go wait for your burger. Noticed that the crowd was young and ostensibly cool. The coolification of Del Valle continues apace.

Service was friendly an very much on top of things. Got our order pretty quick. We both went for the dobles.

Para tomar I got the agua limón, Judy went for fresa. Both decent. By comparison, though, the pepino agua we got Sunday at Judy's favorite shrimp taco joint was superior (and 10 pesos less).

I went with everything except the potato sticks. Get outta here with that. They also had a bit of a pepper bar inside, featuring more pickles and jalapeños if you need them. Standard pickle and pepper load turned out to be sufficient.

Burger was tasty. One thing I wouldn't do next time is use the 'salsa de pimienta' (literally, pepper sauce). Wasn't terrible, but I over applied it. Might BYO some hot sauce next time. Or see if I could get extra onions. But it was good.

All told the tab was $450. Two dobles @ $150 c/u. Two aguas @ 50 c/u. And the side of fries for another $50. Fries were pretty great, actually. Crispy, airy, not oily.

Quick Review: Restaurant La Clave del Sabor 2 (Cusco, Peru)

After my early afternoon spin through Cusco's primary archeological sites, I dropped my gear at the hotel and headed out to meet with a potential partner. But I was semi-starving and had some time, so I ducked into the Centro Artesanal Cusco Paccha to check it out and see what I could rustle up.

It doesn't look particularly charming from the outside.

But inside it's full of colorful stalls selling all the various Peruvian souvenirs you could imagine. Plus some cool murals.

Reminded me of La Ciudadela here in la CDMX.

I wasn't here to shop, though. Was just aiming to find maybe a couple of empanadas para llevar, as that had been a fairly trustworthy grab-and-go staple so far in Peru. However as I was approaching this place and scanning the menu, the señora in charge spotted me and gave me her pitch.

No empanadas, but I tell you that simple ham, cheese, and aguacate sandwich plus some fried plantains with that spicy Peruvian answer to pico de gallo HIT THE SPOT. It was comfortable and delicious.

Felt good to sit for 5 minutes, watch the kids of the mercado run around playing, and enjoy a modest, tasty, and filling late lunch. Simple pleasures in life.

So if you find yourself in the mercado scanning the souvenirs, don't hesitate to stop for a quick bite at Restaurant Clave del Sabor 2. You won't regret it.