La Limeña Restaurant

Late this afternoon my girlfriend and I decided to venture out to Rockville for lunch to try a Tex Mex restaurant in Rockville that had been positively reviewed many times. When we arrived we saw another restaurant next door almost totally packed with local immigrants while the intended destination was without a single patron. After some talking we decided ’When in Rockville…" and entered the doors of La Limena Restaurant.

Ambience- We walked in the door and saw a signboard with prices overhead and thought “Oh, boy; a fast food joint.”. Then we were seated at a nice wooden table in a tastefully decorated dining area and handed two menus- immediately dispatching our first impressions. Food is served on plastic plates with the finest silverware Chinet manufactures. This is to keep the food costs down so all can enjoy the food! The dining area was a full without being crowded. Not a place for a romantic date, but certainly fantastic for any other occasion.

Food- Serving Peruvian and South American dishes, La Limena specializes in their Ceviche, Beef Heart, and Deserts. So wouldn’t it be our luck that neither of us ordered ANY of those items!? The dishes we did have were generously portioned for the price and more delicious than any I’ve had in quite some time. The Lomo Saltado is perfectly seasoned and- given the Spanish flying all around you- places your palate immediately in downtown Lima. The Papa De La Huancaina appetizer is a delicious potato in cheese sauce that will really knock your socks off. And though I didn’t get to experience this, I’ve been told the desserts are all hand made by Emma (the proprietor) and are worth stuffing yourself for!

Drink- Alas, La Limena doesn’t have a license to sell alcohol; so for the time being your choices are limited. If this isn’t a huge turn-off to you, be adventurous and try the home-made Chicha Morada. It’s a fruit juice drink with sugar, cinnamon, and other spices stained purple with Purple Corn. My girlfriend had the Passion Fruit juice and said it was pefectly flavored.

Staff- The staff here is very warm and friendly. Servers are well-versed of the menu and everyone seems to greet you with a big, genuine smile.

Parking- Parking in Ritchie Plaza is plentiful and shouldn’t be a problem any day of the week. Parking is free.

Overall- It is safe to say we were very happy to have digressed from our intended plan and anticipate eating here again in the near future. This is definitely a must-eat-at restaurant if you live ANYWHERE near Rockville, MD.

This place restaurant quailty peruvian food to go. Its a fine place to eat in too, very clean, friendly wait staff but its small and the food is just as good at home so why not just take it to go… Love this place!