On Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer after touring the USS Wasp and USS Roosevelt with friends during Fleet Week, we were famished. It was also super hot and humid, so we didn’t want to go too far out of our way. Luckily, someone suggested Pio Pio, a Peruvian restaurant that was in the area.
We walked in and it was an absolute oasis of coolness – literally and figuratively, and much larger than it appears on the outside. The decor was simple, with wooden planked walls, dark gray stone, beautiful photographs of nature and dim lighting.
Most of us decided to order the chicken lunch special, which is fantastic deal. It’s 1/4 a chicken, salad, a side dish and a drink for $9.50. The portions were great, and the chicken was so tasty. It is simply everything you would want: Flavorful, well-seasoned, tender, and succulent. The salad came with tomato and avocado slices. As for sides, I tried tostones (fried plantains) and maduros (fried sweet plantains) and both were delicious! Tostones were a bit dry, but had great flavor and the maduros were caramelized to perfection.
A little tip: With the meal also comes soda, and they also have Inca Cola, a Peruvian soda that tastes like pineapple soda so if you enjoy that taste order it and try something new!
The service was solid, though the meal took awhile to get to us but it was well worth the wait. A must try restaurant!
Address: 604 10th Ave, Manhattan. (including several other locations)
Dress, Dine & Sparkle 