Undercover Diner Visits Inka Grill

912 Main St, Lynchburg  
https://www.inkagrill.pe/restaurants/

Recently, I spent a rainy Saturday with an old friend, and we decided to try something new. Although Inka has been open for a while, I had not gotten around to checking it out yet. My friend, however, has been there three times this month alone, which is really saying something! 

Inka Grill opened its doors this past March. It is in the heart of downtown Lynchburg, and luckily parking was not a problem since we went for lunch (read: after the farmer’s market rush). Plenty of people were eating there but it did not feel crowded, and we were able to snag a window seat and catch the views of city life. Our friendly waiter immediately brought over a plate of cancha, which is a Peruvian snack of toasted corn (made from maiz chulpe) and a dish of green dipping sauce known as aji verde. We could have snacked on those all day, and the aji verde was addictive with its smooth, savory blend of cilantro, lime, and garlic.

My friend and I each ordered a pisco sour, the house cocktail. (Fun fact: it’s also the national cocktail of Peru!). As far as sours go, this one was not too tart; it was light, citrusy, and slightly sweet--in other words, perfect.

 For our entrees, we went in different directions. I ordered the Inka Chicken, a stuffed chicken breast smothered in a creamy sauce filled with mushrooms and cheese. The sauce was alfredo-esque and simply delicious. The dish came with a stack of roasted potato topped with a parsley gremolata…and I drizzled the rest of our green sauce on top because it was that good. Despite all my fancy foodie terms, this was truly a simple, comforting meal filled with flavor. My only complaint would be that the food was hot (ok, warm?), but it was served on an ice-cold plate. I am not sure of the rationale behind that, but it did not ruin the lunch for me. 

My friend enjoyed her Aji de Gallina, a traditional chicken dish that, despite its ingredients, somehow ends up reminiscent of the flavors of chicken noodle soup! It is made with poached chicken and a yellow sauce (made from yellow bell peppers, onions, garlic, and spices), and it is served with rice and hard-boiled egg slices. 

 We did not get to try the desserts, but I plan to return with my husband, kids, and mother-in-law. The service was excellent, prices were fair, and food was outstanding--not to mention a nice departure from typical menu choices. We’ll be back, por supuesto!