El Mono

The fish is amazing, and their Peruvian drinks are incredible.
Everything I’ve had so far is good at least, and much of it is incredible.

Yes, another Peruvian restaurant discovered!!! I typically travel to SF for some good olé Peruvian food but while working in the area today I took a chance and searched for Peruvian and this popped up. Walked up and we were greeted and seated immediately. I loved the classic Peruvian decorations on the wall; beautiful and wonderful to look at. The menu has some fantastic items, of course you can’t start a meal off without some ceviche. Fish was fresh, and the ceviche was full of flavor. They offer a lunch menu which was well priced and comes with a small cup of soup, which was bursting with flavor. For our main entrees we got the Chaufa — Peruvian fried rice and of course the lomo saltado. Lomo is beef strips, sautéed onions and tomatoes, French fries, and Peruvian rice. The dish is to die for, if it’s your first time eating Peruvian. Get the lomó. When they brought the plates out I couldn’t believe the portion sizes, they were huge! My family would definitely approve of this. Aside from the large portions the food was delicious and flavorful. I can’t wait to go back. I left with my belly full and leftovers for my lunch Tomorrow.

Very nice, good food, little pricey for the plates but overall a go to spot… I will return

Wow
I can’t believe I had not dined at this place before and it’s so close to my place. Always drove by it and never stopped. Big mistake!
They have a huge parking lot which is a plus and the place was packed.
We no longer have to make a trip all the way to San Mateo for authentic Peruvian food. It’s right around the corner.
The food is so delicious and they give you good portions.
We had the Pescado a Lo Macho (deep fried fish which is not on the menu) it was cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, It was served with a yellow curry sauce and white steamed rice and a salad made of calamari rings, prawns and clams, it was so tasty and so much that we could not finish it.
We also ordered the ceviche mixto, fish fillets and canary rings and prawns cured in a like sauce, which had just the perfect amount of like to give it a tangy flavor, served with cooked corn kernels and fresh red onions and sprinkled with cilantro.
Lastly (yes I know we ordered a lot)
We had the chupe de camarones (prawns cooked in a red curry sauce)
The sauce was so creamy and delicious, and it’s served with white rice.
Dessert was platanos fritos (deep fried plantains)
And to top it off, the staff was very friendly and attentive. The waiter was very informative and encouraged us to call ahead in the future for a reservation or even order takeout so that we can enjoy the delicious food in the comfort of our home (if you don’t feel like dining in)
Will definitely come back and bring our friends as well.

Really!!! So good you wanna slap your mother, your friends mother, anybody’s mother!
I was introduced to Peruvian in so cal, specifically LA and OC.
I even got really good at recreating my own gringo version of Saltado de Mariscos, purchasing «gringo» sauce from nearby Peruvian place. That along with (sorry you real foodies need to cover your ears now) 2 large Wendy’s French fries.
I got so good at it, I stopped going out to Peruvian restaurants to feed the hungry brood. But I am officially retiring my skillet!
I cannot describe the explosive, subtle balanced and pallet blowing experience. The Aji sauce (in other places called gringo sauce used to add heat AND flavor) was so good it actually enhanced the flavors, making them more alive, higher in contrast; elevating each to a discreet note in a symphony of flavors, lovingly blending to a near perfect crescendo.
I feel like I never ate at a Peruvian restaurant until now. The others were like the corporate chain; prefab concoctions, prepared in a lab, bagged and shipped to be warmed up by a guy between cigarettes breaks out back.
Other than Matt (the owner) and his team all miked-​up with wireless headsets taking orders, I would have said I just had a home cooked meal made specifically for me. I never got my free hug. But I will be back to claim it to hug the chef.

We hit them again about a month or so. No reservations, just walked in and boy, was it close. The restaurant isn’t that large to begin with and they were packed. Luckily, they managed to figure out how to seat our party of three without sacrificing a reserved table as some other guests were leaving.
What’d we have?
Drinks: Miti Miti & Maracuya’s
Apps: Ceviche de Pescado & Platano Frito
Entrees: Arroz Tapado; Bistec a lo Probre & Arroz con Mariscos
Dessert: Helado de Lucuma & Flan
How was it? Service was just as terrific as last time. The food was yummy. The only thing I would suggest changing on the food is that the order of Plantano Frito was too small. Charge a little more if you have to and put more on the plate! The Ceviche was intimidating in that we didn’t know what to do with it the way it was presented on the plate. Of course, we’re not shy, so we asked our server who suggested that we do what he does with it, mix it up! It was very good but I think I prefer the Ceviche with Mixto instead. There was a green sauce placed on the table that I can’t remember the name of but it ROCKED! As did the sauce that was served with the Platano’s.
Some friends arrived after we were done with dinner and shared dessert with us. The restaurant was kind enough to find a couple of chairs for them.
We’ll definitely be back again!

Amazing food! Took my wife and my 12 week old here today to check out the place I’ve been hearing so much about, and we were not disappointed! We have eaten Peruvian Cuisine in many different places in Peru including Bravo Restobar, as well as the best Peruvian restaurants Oakland and of course San Francisco, and let me tell you, this was the best Lomo Saltado I have had in a long long time! The Chicken Fried Rice and the Causa are also really good, and the portions are huge! The fresh Chicha and Cusquena lager were also good. The service is excellent, the food is excellent, and the atmosphere and interior design is great as well! I really can’t believe we can treat ourselves to such excellent Peruvian Cuisine in the East Bay! They also made an extra effort to make us feel welcome with our new baby and our huge stroller. We can’t wait to go back and try some of the other dishes soon!

First time here and was not disappointed. Had one of their specials, I do not remember the name but it was a fried fish, with a side of white rice, and also baby scallops, squid, clams, and mussels.
The chicha morada drink is so tasty.
I will be coming back

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover is what best describes my experience at El Mono.
Tucked away on the busy street of San Pablo, it’s easy enough to miss. It’s a rather small restaurant that doesn’t look like much from the outside, and it’s somewhat suspicious with it’s darkened windows.
However, inside, there is a true feeling of warmth and comfort. My best friend had been reminiscing on her fond memories of eating traditional Peruvian dishes and organized a casual lunch for us.
We were seated upon arrival and were graciously walked through the menu and given great direction from our server Matt. Such a plus when trying out unfamiliar cuisine!
I am a die hard fan of ceviche so their Ceviche Mixto caught my eye immediately. It was delicious!
Unlike Spanish style Ceviche, theirs was served with two styles of cooked corn, a small portion of sweet potatoes, and the seafood was throughly flavored with lime juice. The flavors and variety of textures were lovely. I highly recommend this dish if you’re a lover of seafood.
I’m looking forward to returning and sampling that amazing looking rotisserie chicken. Yummy!

TL;DR:
To my everlasting horror, Macaroni Grill was proposed as an option for our work offsite lunch. Forgivingly El Mono was also on the list, and boy did we petition the hell out of that. Looking back reflectively, this day we made a righteous contribution to the world.
THE DEETS:
***CEVICHE MIXTO — A spicy dish of mixed seafood, cured and cooked in lime juice, peruvian rocoto chili and spices, served cold with sweet potatoes peruvian corn and peruvian toasted corn.
When I showed up 30 minutes late, this half picked-​over appetizer was placed in front of me. As revolting as it seemed to salvage the dregs, I was famished enough to dig right in. To my surprise, it was masterfully fresh & delicious. I have no idea what kind of fish that was, but it wasn’t even remotely fishy, only perfectly citrusy as it milled in the seemingly orange-​lime concoction. The corn was plump and meaty, more like a bean, whereas the toasted corn was more seed-​like – both provided a lovely & fresh contrast. The sweet potato was tender & perfect. I will say that the calamari was just a tad odorous when compared to the fish, but not to a fault. I just wish I would’ve shown up earlier so I could have tried the shrimp and whatever else I missed.
***LOMO SALTADO — Strips of succulent stir fried black angus beef, onions, tomatoes, and fried potatoes, made with cilantro and soy sauce, served with garlic white rice.
As I arrived late, I got to look around at the dishes placed in front of my companions before making my decision. I’ve got to be honest, nothing looked particularly appealing or good enough to order, so I asked our server (whom I believe was the owner) to surprise me with the dish most likely to make me want to return. When my plate showed up, I was rather underwhelmed to see beef chunks stirfried with french fries. And why did they need to serve this with rice – were the fries not enough starch?
But I tell you, friends, one bite changed my mind completely. The beef was just oh so tender, juicily marinated, and bursting with flavor. Suddenly those fries made the perfect vehicle to deliver the beef to my drooling orifice, and the onions & tomatoes offered body & crunch. The rice turned out to be much more than just plain & white – it was garlicky & flavorful, and when doused by the bottle of green stuff (a creamy, herby, mild sauce), my pleasure was multiplied.
Forgive me, El Mono. I shall return.

What I ate: Lamb stew, ceviche, yuca fries, passion fruit juice
Visit date: December 8, 2015
First time? Yes.
My friend and I had been eyeing this place for a while now, especially since we both live less than five minutes away. We finally made it and we are soooo excited because we liked all the dishes we ordered. We’re adding this to our top neighborhood eats list.
Then menu is extensive, and if you’re a newbie to Peruvian food, the servers will explain everything and give their recommendations. Our server, Matt, was awesome. He guided us through Peruvian specialties, told us about the different dipping sauces, and gave us tips on how to best enjoy our dishes. My favorite tip: put the green sauce on everything. Don’t mind if I do.
We started out with the fish ceviche. It’s served with sweet potatoes, puffed corn (similar to hominy), and toasted corn nuts. The ceviche had a little heat which paired well with the creamy sweet potatoes. Next up, yuca frita — deep fried cassava roots. These were served with two types of creamy sauces. I liked the one that packed some spice.
For my entrée I enjoyed one of the day’s specials: a lamb stew served with beans and garlic white rice. The lamb was tender; it wasn’t too saucy, but that’s ok because they give you a bottle of cilantro sauce and like I alluded to above, you’re going to want to put it on everything. The garlic rice is has subtle hints of garlic and the beans were like little flavor pockets. Something about this dish was so comforting.
Despite the furry art pieces on the wall that we aren’t allowed to touch (must. touch. fur.), this place gets a thumbs up in my book. I’ll definitely be back.

It was my first time here for dinner. I saw many good reviews and I’ve never had Peruvian food so it was worth a try. It’s a really small place so it’s good to call ahead to make a reservation when you think it’ll be busy (weekends and lunch/​dinner rush).
We were able to get seated quickly and the menu had a variety of dishes of seafood and different meats.
We ordered Lomo Saltado, Arroz Tapado, and the Seafood Ceviche. The Seafood Ceviche was really good, a small portion but worth it to try Peruvian ceviche. The beef entrees looked really delicious and had great flavor. The only thing that we didn’t like was how salty the meat dishes were. I don’t know if it’s a Peruvian thing or if they messed up in cooking it (or if they just hated us), but it was all salt.
The staff was very nice and food is served in a decent amount of time. There’s one, one person bathroom near the entrance; you can’t miss it. I would try Peruvian food again, just not sure this is the place for me.

We arrived to find plentiful parking and a clean and beautifully, thoughtfully-​decorated restaurant. We were seated right away and given corn chips and a light cilantro sauce. The service was so good! The waiter really took the time to explain the specials to us and to address food allergy concerns.
Definitely try their in-​house fruit drinks — I had the mix of the two flavors, the «miti miti,» and it was delicious. The ceviche was amazing and the portion was large. In fact, all the portions were large here! The beef-​rice dish with raisins and olives — SUPER savory. The spaghetti with shrimp — good, though a little too vinegary for my taste. I asked for no cilantro, which might have counter-​balanced the vinegary flavor, but still, there should be some way to adjust the dish to accommodate people who don’t like cilantro (many people don’t!). Anyway, overall, they did a great job and are well-​run, efficient, good service, speedy service, and have obviously invested a lot into making the customer experience great.

Today was my first visit to El Mono, but it won’t be the last. This place is amazing. I am a Peruvian food lover and have had the pleasure of eating it at many restaurants. One of my favorites is Limon in SF, but I have to say that the ceviche here is superior to Limon’s.
Today I ordered the following items and loved every single one:
1) lomo saltado
2) empanadas (chicken and beef)
3) ceviche mixto
4) maracuya drink
The ceviche was by far my favorite. With our lunch we also were served a cup of shredded chicken soup with a cilantro/​lime taste. Oh my goodness the soup was delicious. I loved everything I ate today.
I definitely recommend this restaurant to everyone. It is absolutely delicious and the service is excellent. You will not be disappointed.

Took my hubby to El Mono for his bday dinner. We both loved it. A gem right in our backyard! He had the whole fried sea bass and he was in awe. I had the arroz con mariscos. It was flavorful and very delicious. The service was great. It’s a quaint spot and we enjoyed the festive environment. The price point for these types of dishes was on point. What can I say, I’m drawn to good food and happy people. The only thing missing was a glass of wine.
We will definitely return WITH friends cuz I want to share the great experience.

A Peruvian place in El Cerrito, yeah! We need more of them on the East Bay.
I placed a to go order and ordered the Tallarin Verde con Bistec, which is the steak with pesto sauce spaghetti. I thought my steak was flavored well, but it was not cooked medium rare. More on the medium side. The pesto sauce was heavy on the cheese side though.
My partners dish of the Tallarin Saltado de Carne was a better tasting dish. I don’t think you can go wrong with this dish, as it is a soy sauce based stir fry of beef with spaghetti, always a tasteful dish.
I will need to come back for a dine in experience and try their seafood and ceviche dishes. The off menu seafood dish is supposed to be excellent and that is what I will be ordering next.

I’ve been looking for a new local spot to eat and came upon this hidden gem by chance on day on Unilocal.I called in to make reservations (luckily I did as they were pretty busy). The place is not very noticeable when driving as the entrance does not face the street and it’s in pretty hidden even though it’s on a big street. They have a huge private parking lot, which is nice so you don’t have to deal with street parking.
My first impression of the place was that it’s a very small but cozy spot. The waiter was very helpful in helping us pick out items on the menu and answered any questions we had. He even gave us a small history lesson about Peru… like I had no clue there was a huge Chinese /​Japanese population there.
We ended up ordering the Ceviche Mixto (mixed seafood ceviche), Peruvian Empanadas (chicken and beef), Chupe Camarones (Creamy shrimp chowder served with rice and a poached egg on top.), Lomo Saltado (stir fried beef, onions, tomatoes, french fries and rice), Chaufa de Pollo (chicken fried rice). For dessert Alfajores (caramel cookies) and Flan.
The Ceviche was OK. a bit lacking in flavor. The Empanadas were a bit dry but with the sauce they provided, it was really good. The Chupe Camarones was top notch. really good. I could eat that all day. The Lomo Saltado was good, but very salty. If I go back next time, I’d ask them if they can make it with a little less sodium. The Chaufa de Pollo was nothing special… something I can make at home.
I flan is more dense than mexican flan and has a strawberry sauce. It was ok, but the Alfajores was delicious. flakey and light.
I’ll definitely be back but I’ll be trying other dishes.

I tried this place for lunch on a Friday. It was very quiet. I have a feeling they’re still trying to get established. I got a really good beef potato and rice dish. See the photo. I thought the blue corn tea sounded interesting and so I tried that. But it was very sweet and bland. I would not recommend that. The number one on the lunch menu is what I got and I highly recommend it. The proprietor really seems to care about the place and customer experience –that goes along way with me.

They now have an expanded lunch menu for $ 9.95
which includes soup with a generous entrée serving.
I noticed they have more vegan/​vegetarian choices.
Lunch is from 11 to 3

I’m so glad I ate lunch here. I have always been a fan of Peruvian cuisine (not that I know much about it), but have never really heard of this place until now. Now I won’t be forgetting it any time soon.
As we were enroute to a venue, on a mission, we did not have the pleasure or the luxury to go through an appetizer or two (or three).
My eyes fell on my two favourite dishes — the pollo saltado, and the arroz con mariscos. Ok, the rotisserie chicken (rostizado?) too — who does rotisserie chicken better than the Central Americans anyway? Right?
Anyway, I decided on the Arroz con Mariscos, a close cousin to the Paella (another favourite). It was served on a sizzling hot cast-​iron sizzler pan, with mounds upon mounds of perfectly spiced and seasoned rice of impeccable texture with a generous mix of mussels, clams, calamari, baby scallops, and shrimps. There was just the right amount of tanginess from the tomatoes and the spices were perfect. The seafood was awesome and made for a delicious fantastic meal.
I usually am not a fan of sizzlers as I don’t like the smoky fumes wafting into my face and sticking to my clothes so as to smell of the entrée post-​repast. But this one afforded a neat little trick in that it caused the bottom layer of rice to form a socarrat without trying too hard — that elusive gold standard certificate for any self respecting Paella.
The portion size of this dish was huge and I took half of it home for dinner.
I got a bite of the creamy chicken dish — Aji de Gallina — and I must say it was delicious! I am told the Arroz Tapados was delicious too; it certainly looked good.
For dessert, the hostess recommended the Alfajore, baked by the hostess herself. A light flaky cookie «sandwich» with a caramel filling, it was as delicious as the hostess was pretty (and oh yea, she was pretty!).
I am definitely coming back for more! Of the food! Get your minds out of the gutter!
The prices are very reasonable, and is in the lower end of the «$$» price-​range.