La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, San Francisco, CA (Latin)

Born and raised in Peru, Chef Gaston Acurio is one of the world’s most acclaimed and influential chefs.  He has built a name and reputation for himself around Peruvian cuisine. Chef Acurio has opened numerous restaurants spanning the globe, focusing on one portion of Peruvian cuisine at each of his restaurants. For his work in bringing awareness to Peruvian cuisine, Chef Acurio was awarded The  Lifetime Achievement Award by the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants.”  

Located at Pier 1½ at The Embarcadero in San Francisco, La Mar keeps with Chef Acurio’s focuses on one type of Peruvian Cuisine … cebiche. With Sea to Table cooking, La Mer offers the freshest and best seafood, vegetable, and meat ingredients in their dishes. The menu at La Mar is varied, from assortments of fresh cebiche to Peruvian classics with a modern twist. Guests regularly rave about the  Clasico Cebiche with the fresh catch of the day, leche de tigre, red onion, habanero, corn, and sweet potatoes. This dish is full of flavor and pleasing to the eye with its catching colorful presentation. If you prefer a more classic option, you cannot go wrong with the Lomo Saltado. This traditional Peruvian beef tenderloin explodes with the flavors of garlic, cilantro, soy, and oyster sauce. Served on a bed of rice and tomatoes, it is sure to please your tastebuds.

Traditionally La Mar offers both indoor and outdoor seating in its minimalistic ambiance dining room but was forced to pivot and change during 2020 and the COVID pandemic. When stay-at-home orders were enforced in the area, La Mar began offering takeout, delivery, and La Mar @ Home options. These options continue to be offered and highly utilized even when stay-at-home orders have been loosened. Pickup and delivery allow diners to order any of  La Mar’s menu items. La Mar @ Home offers two options that allow guests to cook Peruvian classics at home (with directions from the experts, of course).

Guests can choose between an Empanada Sampler or a box with ingredients to make three classic dishes such as Cebiche Clasico, Empanada de Pollo, and  Asado de Tira. Each box includes enough ingredients to serve 4-6 people and is shipped to your door in 2  business days. La Mar has also once again opened for outdoor seating only. Its stunning location on the water offers the best ambiance and greatest view. No matter which option you choose, you cannot go wrong.  

Gayot: Top of Cuisine Awards 

Zagat 

3 Cookbooks 

Website: www.lamarsf.com 

Phone: (415) 397-8880

Tony Lagana

Chef Tony is a 42-year veteran of the food industry and is often known by his peers as “The New Product Guru.” Throughout his illustrious culinary career, he’s earned several notable titles and positions including Acquisition International’s “Most Influential Product Development Expert, U.S.” in 2019.

In 1997, Tony also founded Culinary Systems Inc., a group of culinary consultants that assist with culinary training, restaurant start-ups, concept development, and more. Since then, Tony and his team have generated over two billion dollars in sales for their clients in restaurants, retail, and manufacturing.

The strategic, technical, and culinary skills of Tony and his team can be seen on the menus of national chains, in the portfolio of national food manufacturers, and on the grocery shelves of products produced by major retail companies.