Casa del Qero, My New Favorite Restaurant

On a recent Saturday night Ron and I were cruising around in his convertible, looking for a place to eat.  We had heard that a casual dining restaurant, Casa del Qero, had just opened, so we decided to check it out.  It's the newest restaurant from Monica Szeepesy, chef and owner of both  the original and the new Qero.  I loved it instantly!  It's location is a bit off the beaten place.  It's a destination.  Located at 815 Birmingham Dr in Cardiff, right behind the Chevron Station, you have to know where you're going to find it.  Once you get there, you'll be glad you did.  As soon as you walk in, you feel like you're in a country farmhouse.  There's a great energy in the room, and you feel like you belong there.

The restaurant was full, so we took a seat at the bar, talked to the bartender Michael, and watched the chef at work.  It was such an enjoyable evening.  We began with glasses of sangria.  We almost ordered a pitcher for the two of us ($25), and would have drank the whole thing, but we stuck to one glass each.  Delicious.  I ordered the lomo saltado, a Peruvian classic, made of sautéed flank steak, onions, tomatoes and French fries.  It was served with a side of quinoa.  I ate every bit of it.  Ron ordered the aji de gallina, hand torn bits of chicken in a roasted walnut and creamy golden sauce, topped with aji Amarillo sauce.  Again, the flavors were so delicious, Ron was practically licking the plate.  Other items on the menu include ceviche, one of their signature dishes.  Each day it is made from a different fresh fish, lime juice and spices, and it is really great.  Anticuchos means "on a skewer", and they offer beef hearts, papas and choclo, among other skewered meats.  Calamari is on the menu, as is papa rellena.  The latter is a mixture of mashed potatoes, wrapped around a filling of ground beef, raisins and spices.

Everything is so delicious and flavorful that you leave there already planning a return dinner.  We did not have dessert on this particular night, but they do serve the most delicious tres leches (three milks) cake I have ever eaten.  It's the same one they serve at Qero in Encinitas, and it is moist and mouth watering.  I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Casa del Qero is closed on Monday.  I would strongly suggest reservations.  It's a great place to go with a group of 4-8 people.  If they've never eaten Peruvian food before, you will be introducing them to some of the best Peruvian food around, and they too, will become frequent guests at Casa del Qero.