Restaurant Spotlight of the Week:

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

5912 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA • (703) 379-7777

Hours: Sun - Thurs: 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fri - Sat: 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Machu Picchu is one of those places where people go to gain a life-changing perspective on the world. The ancient Incan city in the clouds has some of the most spectacular natural vistas and man-made structures in the world.

Getting to the city requires a lengthy hike up ancient roads, facing vertigo as one stares out across a drop of hundreds of feet. For all the work, one gets to peruse the ruins of the city and watch as the sun passes by the intihuatana, the hitching post of the sun, a column of stone that stands on a stone foundation. Incan beliefs required that, as the winter solstice neared and the days grew shorter, a priest would hold a ceremony where he would tie the sun to the column and thereby ensure that it would continue to shine.

Like much of Incan civilization, Machu Picchu fell prey to the ravages of small pox, spread through their communities by those who came in contact with the Spanish conquistadors. But while the City and the society began to disintegrate from the Spanish invasion, the City was never actually found by the Spanish, and when the rest of the residents died off, it was largely forgotten. It wasn't until 1924, when Yale professor, Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu.

The restaurant Machu Picchu, in the Culmore area of Falls Church, is less grand and requires much less effort than the ancient city, but it is still a place well worth discovering and taking some time to enjoy.

An elegant, yet inexpensive restaurant, the dining area is split into two sides, with most of the seats available in elaborately carved wooden booths. Peruvian folk tapestries adorn the walls, projecting a comfortable, folksy ambience.

The center of the room is home to a small stage area, where between Friday and Sunday live musicians perform Latin music, though there is a cover charge. The serving staff is polite and well dressed, wearing clothing with hints of woven colors and traditional designs.

The surprising elegance of the restaurant is matched by the exceptional food. Specializing in Peruvian and Latin cuisine, Machu Picchu serves up generous portions, with quick service and a helpful staff, for those who can't make out the names of the food, written in Spanish with English translation.

Topping the list of appetizers is the Ceviche de Camones a la Diabla, shrimp sautéed in lemon and red onions. The sizzling seafood is the definition of "zesty," and are a positive sign of the excellent food to come.

While the main menu includes a Mexican section where well-known burritos and tacos are available and delicious, it would be better to branch out and try the Peruvian fare, which is some of the best in the area.

The Pollo a la Parilla con Salsa de Champignon is a freshly grilled breast of chicken, smothered in sautéed mushrooms. The smoky flavor of the grill is tempered, but not overwhelmed, by the rich and savory mushrooms. The chicken is tender without a trace of dryness.

The seafood options are extensive, and include the Pescado a la Romano, an enormous lightly fried Mahi Mahi filet, topped with lemon butter and served with rice and potatoes. The fish is nothing short of exquisite, flaky and succulent, and the lemon butter sauce has an edge while allowing the fish to breathe.

A hearty and classic Latin favorite is the Bisteak a la Limena, a strip steak served with a fried egg, fries, and plantain. The steak is juicy and delicious, not to mention, enough food for three meals.

For dessert, the flan is light and delicate, and the alfajores, a cookie filled with caramel, is sweet and flaky. From the vista to the vittles, there are few places where Peruvian and Latin cuisine is prepared as well and served up in an atmosphere as pleasant. Give it a try.