Av. Jose Pardo 1010, Miraflores
445-8047 445-8069
(also a branch in Surco)
http://www.restaurantedonatello.com/
RT here.
Over the years, I've walked past Donatello dozens of times, and have been put off by how imposing it seems from the outside: It's really big, and gave off an impression that it was really expensive and -- if they had Mafia Dons hanging out in Lima -- it looked like a place that Mafia Dons would hang out. I'm not in the Mafia, so I never ventured in.
Well, last week, my date suggested that we give it a try. She's a big pasta fan, so if it ends in a vowel, she wants to eat there. I'm glad that I listened to her -- if only she had suggested this a few years ago!
We entered, and immediately felt much more at home than I suspected. It was a classical Italian restaurant, from the music to the decorations to the checkered tablecloths. Oh yeah, and the food.
We started off with a Ceasar Salad. It was way big enough for two to share, and we enjoyed every leaf. Our second appetizer was the restaurant's only real nod to its being in Peru, an assortment of baked scallops (Piqueo de Conchas Mixtas). There were three types of scallops: the classical Peruvian a la Parmesana, in a white sauce, and a la Donatello. I can't really describe the makeup of the non-Parmesan options, but I enjoyed all three varieties. You add cheese to scallops and bake, and you've RT Gooch as a fan. The photo does not do them justice:
Our main dishes were Fettuccini Alfredo and Canelones stuffed with crabmeat. Both were excellent, and I never stop marveling over the availability of fresh, inexpensive seafood in Lima and how it improves just about every menu in the country.
Although we weren't really hungry after that, we had a half hour before my driver was scheduled to show up, so we split a chocolate mousse. It was two-thirds chocolate, and the white section could have possibly been some sort of mint -- we weren't sure. Whatever it was, it didn't last very long.
The total for the meal, including four soft drinks and no alcohol, came to 142 soles. Regardless of your Mafia affiliation (or lack thereof), I wouldn't hesitate to either recommend Donatello or return myself. It's walking distance from most places visitors would shack up in Miraflores, and I believe that you would really appreciate the ability to walk off the meal once you're done.
