A Taste of the Andes: Terra Sur Café

image from terrasurcafe.com

People of Tampa, let me fill you in on one of the best kept secrets in the Tampa Bay area: Terra Sur Café. Tucked away in a somewhat nondescript plaza amongst the Carrollwood suburbs, this hidden gem has been one of my absolute favorite restaurants for several years.

Admittedly, Terra Sur is pretty easy to miss. As you cruise down West Village Drive, not many notice its humble storefront next to a simple shoe repair shop. Do not let its surroundings fool you. Much like the well-known Bern's Steakhouse, the unimposing exterior of this restaurant conceals a warm and sophisticated dining room on par with some of the best in Tampa.

Opened in 2005, Terra Sur grew its reputation not through its location, but through its absolutely delicious food and outstanding service. This restaurant offers Peruvian fare with an extensive wine list and beer selection. As can be expected from a Peruvian restaurant, there are several seafood options as well as a base of fried rice with many dishes.

image from terrasurcafe.com

I myself first visited Terra Sur Café more than two years ago. From the moment I entered the establishment, I was impressed. Having previously been told not to judge the restaurant by its façade, I was nonetheless caught off guard by the quality of the interior. The dining room was beautiful with dark wood accents and perfect lighting to set the mood for the occasion.

Our waiter was extremely welcoming and was very well educated on the menu, knowing not only the ingredients in every dish but also the methods in which each was prepared. Feeling quite trusting, I took his recommendation and ordered the Arroz a la Chiclayana. I was far from disappointed. Consisting of shellfish laid across a bed of beer-infused rice, this dish would not allow me to stop eating. To this day, it remains one of my favorite seafood dishes of all time.

image from yelp.com

Enter, dessert. This is where I decided to play it relatively safe with one of my favorite classics: Tres Leches. Before I continue I'll say this: I have had many servings of Tres Leches in my lifetime. I am not necessarily proud of my sweet-tooth weakness nor has my waistline been very appreciative of it. Nonetheless, when I ordered Tres Leches that evening at Terra Sur, I was already very familiar with the age-old dish. The Tres Leches at Terra Sur was by far the best I had ever tasted. Full stop.

Word about the quality of Terra Sur seems to be spreading as the restaurant has recently completed expansions into the storefronts next to it. There is no doubt that it should be on your list of places to try as soon as possible. I firmly believe that, if the establishment continues on its current trajectory, it will eventually become one of the most well-known and highly sought after restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.