Chimu
image c/o Williamsburger
Peruvian Cuisine
482 Union Ave
PHONE: 718-349-1208
MAP: Click Here
MENU: Click Here
WE SAY: The ambience leaves much to be desired, but the food is fresh, unusual, and amazing. Chimu is omur favorite new Williamsburg restaurant. Best of all, it is usually fairly hipster free since the owners are actually Peruvian. Their BYOB policy is due to expire as soon as they get a license, so take advantage while it lasts.
From Village Voice
"This cozy, spicy Peruvian restaurant became a fast favorite among locals, including hipsters who relish the fact that it's not full of hipsters(?). It's the place to bring your mom when she visits from Scaredsville, to show her that Brooklyn is worldly, not seedy. The ceviche mixto is great; also try the oddly delicious spaghetti with Peruvian cheese sauce and grilled steak. Or just go for the shell steak brushed with garlic and olive oil."
Comments
This place definitely has atmosphere now — well decorated inside with painted ceilings and wall hangings. It was very full of people, which did make it seem noisy, but it was tolerable... must be a very popular place now.
The waitstaff were very friendly and attentive (until it got really, really crowded and people were waiting for tables) and then suddenly the waiters were all gone. But at least they were authentic too, they all looked Peruvian!
The food was very tasty (we got the "Parillada Paras 2") which was a heated tray with lots of meats, and was delicious — although the steaks were very tough. There were lots of other choices on the menu, which was a nice change from other "fancy" places we've been that had only 4 entrées. Prices ranged a bit high, but overall I'd say this was a nice restaurant and we should go back.
My partner, on the other hand, says he wasn't crazy about the place. He says for $80 total (incl. tip) that we should have gotten better quality meats, not tough steaks. I can't argue that point, it's true.
Posted by: Erredmek | April 28, 2008 02:48 AM
Food was actually great BUT we did not enjoy it because:
they said the wait was going to be 15 min. It was more than an hour! Why lie? We would have come back another day.
Service was deadly SLOW. We sat for 10 min before getting menus. It took another 15 min to bring us 2 coronas. Tables around us who had ordered after us were eating appetizers. Then they brought out ALL of our appetizers/entrees together. The final insult was that they started
taking our plates and cutlery before we were finished eating in order to rush us out. One of us actually grabbed the hand of the busboy to retrieve a
fork.
One of our party excused himself to go home-- he had had enough. -- before the dinner was over.
The wait staff kept saying "five minutes",no matter what we asked.then "we only have one chef", and "we only have one bartender.
It was very unpleasnt.We will not be back.
Posted by: SC | April 27, 2008 01:05 PM
One of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten! Period. Flavor perfection! I got the seafood special and I don't even like seafood that much...but I do now, if it's at Chimu. Get the specials! Everyone in my party did, and we were not sorry.
Posted by: jh | February 19, 2008 08:07 PM
One of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten! Period. Flavor perfection! I got the seafood special and I don't even like seafood that much...but I do now, if it's at Chimu. Get the specials! Everyone in my party did, and we were not sorry.
Posted by: jh | February 19, 2008 08:06 PM
One of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten! Period. Flavor perfection! I got the seafood special and I don't even like seafood that much...but I do now, if it's at Chimu. Get the specials! Everyone in my party did, and we were not sorry.
Posted by: jh | February 19, 2008 08:03 PM
OMG I love this place, the staff is friendly, prices are somewhat reasonable, and the food is to die for. Perfect for that first date or that typical dinner that you love. best thing about it is its true to its roots, Peruvian food at its finest!
Posted by: Ivan | August 30, 2007 07:25 PM
Unfortunately, there are virtually zero vegetarian options at this restaurant. Veggies, be warned!
Posted by: Kelly | July 29, 2007 12:26 AM
As someone who lived in Peru for 4 months I was highly impressed and overjoyed with Chimu. The cerviche mixto was fabulously spicy and the seafood was perfecto. The aji de gallina and lomo saltado de carne rocked as well. As for the atmosphere...the painting on the wall, outside seating/lighting, indoor ambience and staff made me feel comfortable and happy to be paying these people for a great meal. Que rico!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 7, 2007 03:39 AM
I went too Chimu with my girlfriends for the first time and let me tell you I LUV DA RELLENO DE PAPA. It had the perfect blend of herbs, potatoes, and pieces of steak in it. The outside of the relleo was coated in a spicy green sauce but the flavors all worked together making for a surprisingly good appetizer.
Posted by: Wendalina | May 9, 2007 05:01 PM
i went to Chimu for the time this weekend despite the fact that i live only blocks away from it...i must say the food was DELICIOUS!!! my friends and i shared 2 Paellas...which was more than enough for the 4 of us...the owner was very friendly and welcoming...i would def go there again!!!
Posted by: Grissel | May 8, 2007 10:06 PM
I don't know if this is characteristic of Peruvian food in general or not, but somehow what I got (maybe it was a mistake, because it didn't correspond exactly to what I thought I had read on the menu) was a filet of fried fish (snapper, I think) and various seafood: squid, etc. absolutely DRENCHED in a melted cheese sauce. It made me sick. My boyfriend got some steak, which seemed okay. But cheese with seafood just didn't work for me, personally.
Posted by: lizzi | December 5, 2006 05:52 AM
we stopped in for a quick bite and were more than pleasantly surprised with EXCELLENT mussels, the tasty sauce of the creamy chicken, the great portions...in all, YUMMY a great find - who cares about the ambiance - it's kitcshy cute for the food and worth it ;)
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Posted by: ya pidoras | July 24, 2006 08:24 PM
GREAT food but very slow service -- especially delivery. We go there whenever we can, but always leave extra time. They also get large orders wrong on occasion so make sure they read you back what you ordered.
Posted by: Adam | July 10, 2006 01:55 PM
While I lamented the loss of the only Indian joint within walking distance of my apartment, I'm extremely happy to see Chimu move into the spot.
The portions are very generous and the steak has always been excellent. The staff is very polite and attentive. It is a bit on the pricy side for Williamsburg (and average for Manhattan) so I generally save a visit as a treat for my roommate and myself. I haven't tried the wines but most of the other customers seemed to be quite happy draining a bottle or two over the course of their meals. Its difficult to point out any highlights on the menu as everything is really damn good.
Posted by: Joshua | April 17, 2006 10:15 PM
I live above Chimu and have eaten there once. It was good. However, please do not order anything with garlic, as it makes my apartment smell garlicky.
Posted by: sam | April 12, 2006 04:01 AM
As a Peruvian I think it is safe to say that CHIMU is the best Peruvian restaurant in NYC.
It's like they abducted my mom, all of my aunts and grandmothers and put them in the kitchen. Even my American boyfriend loves the food there. The prices are reasonable, the portions are good for 2 meals and everything from the ceviche mixto to the arroz con mariscos is absolute perfection. Whenever I'm feeling homesick all I need is a trip/dose of CHIMU and I know that all is well with the world.
Posted by: Maria | January 21, 2006 08:02 PM
Firstly, the BYOB policy is no longer in effect-- happily, Chimu now has their license. Secondly, the skirt steak in the Tacu Tacu was so good I well-near started crying with joy. I'm about to order it again, right now, for lunch. My new favorite restaurant (I am a man of rather discriminating taste, if I do say so myself).
Posted by: Loran | July 19, 2005 04:41 PM
The food at Chimu was delicious. Everything was reasonably priced and the portions were HUGE. You can bring your own bottle of wine. I recommend the Tacu Tacu, the steak practically melts in your mouth. I will return many times.
Posted by: Katie | June 8, 2005 06:56 PM
Thuis restaurant is very inviting & the owner & staff are very welcoming. The food is great and
reasonable. I have gone twice & enjoyed the food both times. A great addition to my neighborhood
Posted by: Joan | May 28, 2005 12:36 AM