A Review of Pastuso in Melbourne

Pastuso

19 AC/DC Lane

Melbourne VIC 3000,

Australia

Link to Pastuso Website

Located on AC/DC lane, Pastuso is unabashedly loud and vibrant. Pastuso brings a part of Peru's rich culinary heritage and has been serving up Melbournians since 2014. It is now an institution to get the best Pisco Sours and experience the diverse flavours of Peruvian cuisine.

Chef Alejandro Saravia, who started the Pastuso concept is no longer at the restaurant and Chef Dwi Ayu is the head chef taking charge of Pastuso. Since the change, we have not noticed a difference in the quality of the food but have seen this progressive move towards a more hearty, homely type of cuisine as compared to the more upscale version that Chef Alejandro Saravia served.

We started our night at the bar with a Pisco Sour whilst we waited for the staff to get our table ready. Pastuso is a big venue and busy on the weekends, so if you have a preference for a section, it would be good to let the team know early. There are some spots on the bar counter viewing into the open kitchen, and then some in the main dining room. To be part of the action, the bar counter is where you want to be. If you want a quieter spot, the main dining room around the bar area is away from the hustle and bustle and a nice place.

Peruvian flavours are influenced by many different cuisines, including Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and African cuisines and sometimes there are some dishes that feel oddly comforting. The menu starts with Cevicheria, which showcases the coastal regions of Peru and the various ceviche preparations. It then moves into using traditional methods like the Cilindro which is a Peruvian smoker or charcoal grill to showcase the hearty meats from the Andes. Finally, the Amazonian jungles of Peru are celebrated with vibrant desserts and a dedicated Pisco bar.

For dinner, we had:

• Ceviche Peruano - Ruby Red Snapper, Aji Amarillo Leche De Tigre with Caramalised Sweet Potato, Choclo

• Pan De Quinoa - Fermented Cassava Bread, Quinoa, Cultured Maca Butter

• Tartar De Wagyu - Sher Wagyu Beef Tartare, Maca Root Emulsion, Green Plantain, Aji Amarillo Cream

• Pulpo Al Olivo - Char-grilled Abrolhos Island Octopus, Botija Olive Mayonnaise, Huacatay Salsa, Corn Toastadas

• Pastel De Choclo - Sweet Corn Cake with Black Garlic Whipped Feta, Pickled Pumpkin, Baby Corn and Garlic Stems, Smoked Rocoto and Shallots Vinaigrette

• Ojo De Bife - O'Connors Premium Pasture Fed Scotch Fillet with Smoked Chili Salsa

• Vegetales - Char-Grilled Broccoli, Green Beans, Smoked Cultured Butter, Aji Mirasol, Yoghurt, Roaster Almonds

• Picarones - Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Doughnuts, Fruit infused Sugar Syrup, Mascarpone Cream

I have been to Pastuso several times now and everyone I have brought to Pastuso so far have loved it. The venue is energetic, you are well taken care off, the food is exquisite and the flavours are so deep. You get plenty of citrus, spice, umami and then the textures of these massive corn kernels and tender meats grilled over charcoal. The flavours are so bold and the balance is done so well.

If you happen to be in Melbourne at the end of July, do visit Pastuso on their Independence Day (28 Jul) because they often have a special menu to celebrate Independence day that celebrates Fiestas Patrias. We particularly loved the Pachamanca, which is a hearty dish comprising of slow cooked lam shoulder, Bannockburn chicken thigh and pork belly which is served with Andean potatoes, muna and white corn which celebrates the communal traditions of the Andes. And so delicious too.

Booking

Currently, there are still seats a week ahead at Pastuso. I do recommend booking in advance though. Everytime I have visited, it was never difficult to get a table reserved, but everytime we arrived, the restaurant was always full.

Accessibility

Pastuso is easily accessible by tram or train (Flinders Street Station) and accessible via AC/DC lane off Flinders Lane. It will look dark and you will walk by thrash bins, but it is the right way and you will find Pastuso at the end of the alley.

The Damage

Total damage for the night was 268 AUD for 3 pax. The annoying part about alot of Melbourne establishments is this concept of surcharge on weekends. Unfortunately, Pastuso is part of this an charges an extra 10 % on weekends and 15 % on public holidays. So do take note.

Would we recommend?

Yes! Pastuso brings diversity to the Melbourne culinary scene. Peruvian food is not easily accessible and it takes a good team to bring the rich flavours and culture of Peru to another country and Pastuso has done just that.