Description
El Piloto is now a culinary institution in the Southern Coast of Peru, known for producing the freshest seafood and tastiest dishes around. Once a ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant, owner Doña Encarnación Esmeralda Gonzales de Fernández took over 35 years ago without knowing how to cook. She learned to cook out of necessity by watching others and now loyal customers will make the hour and a half long journey from Lima to get a taste of this humble restaurant’s cuisine. Restaurateurs from Chile and the U.S. are wooing her to open franchises in their own countries. Until recently there was only one location, on the southbound highway near Cañete. A new locale has opened in the Boulevard of Playa Asia (100 kms South of Lima) catering to the summer vacationers and to more conveniently serving the Lima crowd.

Do not be turned off by the groups of tourists that arrive on occasion. The original locale in Cañete has become a popular stop for tours heading South to Paracas or Nazca but you can be guaranteed that the local flavour is preserved. Do not expect any luxuries. The chairs are plastic and decor very basic but they do not cut corners when it comes to cleanliness and freshness. A window behind the counter gives you a peak into the kitchen, where all cooks wear white uniforms with head covers.

A full meal with beer will cost around $20.

Insider Tips
Have the ‘chicharrón de calamar’ (deep fried calamari) as a starter, followed by ‘tallarín saltado con langostinos’ (a Chinese-inspired dish of stir fried noodles with fresh shrimp), and if you have room for dessert have a pancake. These are thin crepes stuffed with ‘manjar blanco’ (caramel sauce). Note that portions are oversized so you can share everything.

	Information:
	Location Details Boulevard Sur Plaza, Asia and Panamerica Sur km 138, San Luis, Cañete (original) Phone: 91052552 Hours: Asia Wednesday to Monday 12:30pm – 1 a.m. Cañete has the same times but also opens for breakfast.