Virgilio Martinez's Lima Floral to open next month

By James Euinton

Virgilio Martinez is probably best known in the culinary world for mixing Peruvian native ingredients with modern cooking techniques, He also owns a series of restaurants. The flagship Lima based Central Restaurante, placed 15th in the World’s 50th Best Restaurants.

Along with his partners, Gabriel and Jose Luis Gonzalez, Virgillo will open a second London restaurant “LIMA Floral” on Garrick Street, Covent Garden next month. The 70 cover restaurant, LIMA Floral, will introduce new ingredients and dishes never seen in the capital before. LIMA Floral will be split in two spaces: the main restaurant and a Peruvian tapas bar.

Co-owner Gabriel Gonzalez said, “We are so excited to have found a beautiful site in Covent Garden. After two years of operating Lima, we thought it was time to develop an offering with serious food credentials in this destination.”

LIMA was the first Peruvian restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin Star. The menu at the new site, overseen by Martinez and head chef Robert Ortiz, will feature some of LIMA’s popular dishes alongside a new menu of Peruvian cuisine.

Martinez is a founding member of Peru’s Mater Iniciativa, a group of Peruvian chefs, scientist and ecologists who travel around Peru discovering edible plants and ingredients. The menu will include some ingredients from the Amazon basin and the Andes altitudes. Lima Floral will also source produce from the British Isles, supporting sustainable fishing and local producers.

Virgilio Martinez said, “After two years of LIMA, it feels right to develop another Peruvian concept in London; an evolution of the cuisine currently available at our first restaurant. Now London is familiar with Peruvian food, we feel it is the perfect time to push the boundaries with our menu”

Some of the dishes on the LIMA Floral menu will include scallops with chia ceviche, Amazonian fish with warm causa and kholrabi and quinoa tiradito.

Native vegetables and fruits from Peru will be showcased in unusual forms and shapes to bring new tastes and experiences to customers.

The bar menu will be designed for sharing and will serve Peruvian tapas. Which will include dishes such as grouper with rocoto tiger's milk ceviche and tuna and seared aubergine tiradito.

These dishes will sit alongside a Peruvian cocktail list, and local UK products as well.