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| - As a participant in the 2013 Savor South Madison Taste Race, I had the opportunity to patronize a number of wonderful restaurants on the South Park Street corridor. One of those was Inka Heritage, which I had intended to try for a number of years. And this Peruvian eatery did not disappoint; the food was well prepared and the service was better than expected. Now my only regret is that I wish I had visited sooner.
Based on the humble exterior, the understated elegance of the restaurant interior surprised me. I enjoyed the warm butternut orange on the walls contrasted by sharp white trim. The Peruvian blankets and the dark hardwood floors added to the effect. With all the hard surfaces and open floor plan, the restaurant could get noisy if they had a full house. During my visit, there was a light Monday lunch crowd and noise was not a problem. The tabletops and floors were spotless - a good first impression.
After I selected a seat by the window, my server greeted me with a menu and a water glass. While a bit stoic, he knew the menu well and answered all my questions about the different lunch options and about the spices used in Peruvian cuisine. During the meal, he checked in on my periodically, promptly removed the dirty dishes and took the picture I needed for participating in the Taste Race. Overall, I was impressed with his professionalism.
The first course was a simple, well-seasoned cup of chicken vegetable and rice soup. It was a well-balanced dish, chock full of veggies and tender white meat.
The soup was a just a prelude to an appetizing main course. I ordered the house specialty, the pollo a la brasa. The roasted chicken was moist on the inside, with a crispy, slightly salty skin. Again, the kitchen applied the seasoning with a deft hand for this dish. The zesty cilantro sauce served with the dish was a perfect complement. I also devoured the sides of pinto beans and a wedge of rice.
The cost of the meal with coffee and a tip was $13, a good value for the quality of the food they delivered. I look forward to returning and sampling the more extensive dinner menu.
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