Hi. RT here.

The Hooters is now open in LarcoMar. It is at the far right hand side of the the lower level.

Ovalo Guitterez (on the Miraflores/San Isidro border) sports both a Friday's and a Chili's.

Pizza Huts are everywhere.

The Starbucks count is now up to six. The Starbucks web site lists five, and one either has or is about to open in LarcoMar.

The bummer is that these places are a treat for the chicas. They just don't understand that we don't travel to another continent to eat at a Pizza Hut. I compromised with Angie on Saturtday and went to the Fridays for lunch. It was exactly like the ones in the US. The food was the same, and the prices were slightly lower.

How much of a propina is customary for the other non chain, sit down and wine and dine with a chica style resturants? I hear 18% tax??? Sheeeit! Is a 15% tip okay? Thanks!

Hey. RT here.

I am looking at my receipt from Astrid y Gaston right now (if you don't eat there, you have wasted your trip, IMNSHO).

All prices listed on the menus INCLUDE both the tax and the propina.

My bill for dinner:

SUBTOTAL: 111.63
SERVICIO 10% 11.16
IGV 19% 21.21
TOTAL S/. 144.00

'Servicio' is the tip that's added automatically; IGV is the sales tax.

I added another 12 soles to the credit card slip when I signed off.

In the nice places, 5-10% additional is customary. In the street places, just leave a couple of Soles and you've done more than the right thing.

Have fun. I can't wait to hear about it.

Thanks for the qwick reply. I have been doing a lot of reading and the 2 extra charges PLUS a "tip" are hard for my redneck Libraterian ass to figure out; but I will follow your lead and will dine @ A & G for sure! Cheers; leaving in 9 hrs!

I don't look at them as 'extra' charges. I just figure, 'the price is the price' and keep it simple. It's usually real cheap, so however they break it down doesn't really affect me.