Runa Peruvian Cuisine

Runa Peruvian Cuisine
110 Monmouth Street
Red Bank
732-758-8904

Hours: Tues–Thurs, 11:30 am–9 pm; Fri–Sun, 11:30 am–10 pm

Price: $/$$

Style: Elegant, modern space with pale-green walls and a vivid, royal-blue statement wall that serves as backdrop for a sensational display of Peruvian art.

Don’t Miss: The terrific, complimentary, hand-cut potato chips served with a trio of Peruvian sauces—one made with rocoto peppers; one with yellow peppers; and one with a pesto-like green sauce. These light, crispy chips and complex sauces will steal your appetite, so go easy. The menu is rich in small plates to share or make a meal of. Try the empanadas ($8 each)—chicken, veggie with hearty quinoa, or ground beef made from grass-fed sirloin tips. There are a host of ceviches (or cebiches to a Peruvian). Cebiche con Camaron y Alcachofas ($19) generates the most buzz. A catch-of-the-day mix of shrimp, fish, lime juice, hot peppers, classic Peruvian spices and roasted corn nuts, it veers from tradition by adding artichokes for a subtle sweetness that offsets the tartness. Excellent entrées include local, organic rotisserie chicken ($14 half, $24 whole). The skin is crisp, the meat succulent. It is served with white potatoes and a side salad. Sweet and savory mix well on the Runa Hamburgesa ($14), a veggie burger composed of white and red quinoa, lentils and caramelized apples.

Heads Up: BYO

The Scoop: Runa is located directly across from the Count Basie Theatre; be sure to make reservations on show nights.