Amaz

Amaz is a restaurant at Av. La Paz 1079 in Miraflores, Lima, Peru, devoted to the food of the Peruvian Amazon. It was created by chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, who has been among the leading figures in the effort to bring Amazon ingredients into mainstream Peruvian cooking. The Amazon covers more than half of Peru but is often underrepresented on Lima menus, and Amaz aims to fix that with dishes built on river fish, jungle fruits, roots and spices, prepared with both traditional and contemporary technique. The menu features paiche, the giant Amazon river fish with firm white flesh, which appears grilled or in more elaborate preparations. Juane, the rice dish wrapped in bijao leaves and eaten at Amazonian festivals, and tacacho con cecina, mashed fried plantain with cured pork, are typical of the jungle repertoire. Desserts often use Amazonian fruits, including camu camu, a tart fruit with very high vitamin C content, and other regional produce that visitors may not have seen elsewhere. Prices run at roughly S/ 90 to 170 per person, a mid-to-upper range for Miraflores. The dining room is warm, informal and decorated with references to the rainforest, and service is knowledgeable, with staff able to explain unfamiliar ingredients. Dress is smart-casual and noise levels are moderate. The drinks list includes cocktails that use Amazonian fruits and spirits, alongside wines and beer. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday, hours should be confirmed, and reservations can be checked through the restaurant's Google Maps page. Amaz is a useful stop for visitors who will not travel to the jungle, since it offers a way to try river fish and Amazon flavours that rarely appear on standard Lima menus. Those with fish or nut allergies should mention them when ordering, and visitors unsure where to start can ask staff to suggest a selection of dishes.