Change text size

Larger Smaller

Click to close

view 3 images :: enlarge

Esmeralda Bascones is chef and co-owner of Inka Heritage on Park Street. - Michelle Stocker/The Capital Times

print  ::  comment

loading ratings...

Those looking for spicy and savory South American cuisine will be delighted with Inka Heritage. The Peruvian restaurant is a welcome addition to the growing global food corridor on South Park Street.

Owners Daniel Rodriguez and his wife, Esmeralda Bascones -- who is also head chef -- pride themselves on serving authentic Peruvian foods. Though the country's cuisine is well-known in South and Central America, Peru's northern neighbors in the United States have been slow to recognize the famous flavors, Rodriguez said.

Influenced by everything from Chinese to African cuisine, Peruvian food features a lot of meat and seafood served with rice. The basic ingredients are assembled in different combinations and spiced with various chili peppers to create variety. This way it is always different, but it is also always Peruvian, Rodriguez said.

Business has grown steadily since Inka Heritage opened in March 2007. Saturday night is typically the busiest night, with the restaurant's famous ceviche bringing repeat customers.

For a leisurely lunch at a decent price, Inka Heritage offers a $6.99 lunch special served Monday through Friday. On a recent weekday, we ordered Escabeche de Pescado con Arroz -- a fried fish fillet tossed in a light tomato sauce with onions and red peppers, served with rice.

We couldn't resist busting our $7.70 limit, though, to try an Inca Kola ($2), an electric yellow, bubblegum-flavored and super-sweet Peruvian soda.

Inka Heritage's simple yet elegant decor and traditional background music create a pleasant atmosphere, complementing the fantastic cuisine.

-- Marie Chapman

INKA HERITAGE

Address: 602 S. Park St.

Phone: 310-4282

Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Have a suggestion for Let's Eat for $7.70?

E-mail 77tips@madison.com.