Here in Atlanta, we are so blessed with a multitude of outstanding Latin restaurants: Mexican, Cuban, Brazilian, Colombian and Argentine food is pretty easy to find. But until recently if you had asked me to recommend an authentic Peruvian spot I would have been stumped. But now in Poncey Highlands the new Tio Lucho's Peruvian Coastal channels chef Arnoldo Castillo's cooking energy into this fun and colorful concept. The restaurant is named after Castillo's father, Luis, (he was also a chef) who earned the sacred nickname of "Tio" which means uncle in Spanish. But it's more than that--it's more of a supreme term of endearment, like a guide or mentor. Sadly, Tio died 2 weeks before the restaurant opened but Chef Arnoldo carries on in his father's memory. Having recently helmed Minero in Ponce City Market and a very popular pop-up called La Chingada, Castillo partnered up with Howard Hsu of Sweet Auburn BBQ and Lazy Betty and concocted this shrine to modern interpretations of his hometown cuisine of Piura, Peru.
Walking into the restaurant, a wall-size mural reminds you: "En Atlanta Come Se Rico" (Atlanta eats rich) so buckle up your tastebuds. As inspired by the coast, seafood is the star of the show with dishes such as ceviches, fresh snapper, oysters, octopus plus plenty of land-based cusine (from the farm) like lomo saltado (stir-fried steak over french fries), pork belly with yuca mash plus salads and savory Peruvian sandwiches known as Sanguches made with fried fish, marinated chicken or avocado and egg served on cibatta. Every morsel I tried was fresh, explosive in flavor and very memorable. Wash it all down with one of their signature Pisco sours featuring several varieties of pisco, a high-proof grape-based Peruvian distillate.
I have to admit, Tio Lucho's totally opened up a whole new experience of Latin cuisine for me that had been missing from my palate. This is a menu that requires multiple visits to conquer since there are so many tantalizing options to try and the staff is extremely knowledgeable to explain the subtleties and origins of Chef Arnaldo's creations so book for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch.
GIVEAWAY!
And I am even going to put my money where my mouth is! Iff you go to my Instagram page @bitesnsites and follow me and follow Tio Lucho's, I am going to pick a lucky winner for a $100 gift card to Tio Lucho's with will fill you up with these incredible Peruvian dishes and pisco sours. So go to my Instagram @bitesnsites, follow me, follow Tio Lucho's, tag a friend you want to invite to the feast (each tag is worth an additional entry) and I will choose a lucky winner for the $100 gift card to Tio Lucho's. Entries must be in by 6/30/23 at 11:59 pm and the winner will be announced on my Instagram page stories on 7/1/23. Good luck! ***NOTE if your page is private I cannot see who you follow or tag
***Terms and Conditions: By participating in the Bitesnsites Instagram Giveaway (the "Giveaway"), you agree to abide by the following terms and conditions: 1. Eligibility: 1.1. The Giveaway is open to individuals who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. 1.2. The Giveaway is open to participants worldwide, except where prohibited or restricted by law. 1.3. Employees, officers, and representatives of Bitesnsites and Tio Lucho's, as well as their immediate family members and household members, are not eligible to enter the Giveaway. 2. Giveaway Period: 2.1. The Giveaway starts at 12:00 am on June 2, 2023, and ends at 11:59 pm on June 12, 2023 (the "Giveaway Period"). 2.2. All entries must be received within the Giveaway Period to be eligible. 3. Entry Requirements: 3.1. To enter the Giveaway, you must: a) Like the Bitesnsites Instagram page at @Bitesnsites. b) Like the Tio Lucho's Instagram page at @tioluchos. c) Tag at least one person on Instagram in the comments section of the Giveaway post made by Bitesnsites. Each additional tag will earn one additional entry. 3.2. Only one entry per person will be considered. 3.3. Entries that are incomplete, illegible, or in violation of these terms and conditions will be disqualified. 3.4. Participants must have a valid Instagram account to enter the Giveaway. 4. Winner Selection: 4.1. One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries received during the Giveaway Period. 4.2. The winner will be selected on June 13, 2023, and will be notified via direct message on Instagram. The winner must respond within 48 hours to claim the prize. 4.3. If the selected winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries. 5. Prize: 5.1. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to Tio Lucho's. 5.2. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other alternatives. 5.3. Any costs or expenses associated with the acceptance or use of the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. 6. Public Announcement: 6.1. The name of the winner will be posted on the Bitesnsites Instagram page on June 13, 2023. 6.2. By entering the Giveaway, participants grant Bitesnsites the right to announce and publish their names on social media platforms or any other media channels for promotional purposes. 7. Privacy: 7.1. Any personal information collected from participants during the Giveaway will be used solely for the purpose of administering the Giveaway and will be handled in accordance with Bitesnsites' privacy policy. 8. General Conditions: 8.1. Bitesnsites reserves the right to disqualify any participant found to be violating these terms and conditions or tampering with the entry process. 8.2. Bitesnsites reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Giveaway at any time, for any reason, without prior notice. 8.3. The Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
