In Brandon, a new restaurant is breathing fresh life into the former home of beloved diner Ben's (again). The second incarnation of Ben's, which was devastated by a fire in May 2014, had a short-lived run at 704 E. Brandon Blvd. earlier this year. But the latest concept to take over the space, Sabor a Perú, fills a need in the area with Peruvian cuisine.
Sabor a Perú, owned by Edgar Orrillo and two partners in the popular Sabor a Mexico eatery next door, opened last month. The restaurant churns out a menu of traditional appetizers, ceviche and soups, plus seafood and steak dishes. Creole plates are also on hand, as Peruvian food features everything from Creole to Asian influences.
Specifically, patrons choose from items like pescado a la chorrillana (fried fish fillet with sautéed onion and tomato sauce that's served with white rice), causa rellena (layered potato-based dish stuffed with tuna, chicken or shrimp), and cau cau (tripe stew with yellow sauce and potato chunks that's served with white rice).
The restaurant itself is big, offering a casual dining room, full bar and a couple of flat-screen TVs. Sabor a Perú's covered patio provides even more seating options to diners stopping in for lunch or dinner.
This article appears in Oct 4-11, 2018.