El Inka Grill Ceviche Now Open


El Inka Grill Ceviche in Dr. Phillips features a plethora of flavors and cultural influences.

El Inka Grill Ceviche in DrPhillips features a plethora of flavors and cultural influences.

There is an exciting, new restaurant in DrPhillips that is filled with fresh ingredients, bold flavors and vibrant colors just waiting to welcome you. El Inka Grill Ceviche, located in The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, is the second location for chef and restaurateur Ivan Colombier.

His first eatery, located in Hunters Creek, has been a favorite with local residents since opening in 2011.

“A lot of our customers who live in this part of town used to drive all the way to Hunter’s Creek. They have really embraced us. We are so happy to be here,” said chef Ivan, who was born in New York to Peruvian parents.

El Inka Grill is elegantly furnished with a soothing waterfall wall, sparkling modern chandeliers and colorful paintings commissioned by a local Peruvian artist. Stone walls and rich earthy colors make for an inviting interior, and outside seating is also available.

Chef Ivan’s passion for Peruvian cuisine stems from his childhood.

“My mom would cook delicious Peruvian food, and my friends would always want to be at my house eating,” recalled the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school graduate. “It really stayed with me, and I decided I wanted to be able to introduce this delicious cuisine to everyone. That’s why I became a chef.”

If you’ve never tried Peruvian food, you are in for a treat.

“It has influences from Asian and European cooking, and Peruvians were very masterful at incorporating them,” chef Ivan said.

El Inka Grill’s menu incorporates elements of Chinese in the lomo saltado, succulent strips of beef, wok-sautéed with a soy sauce and white wine reduction; a Japanese flair is evident in the tiraditos, sushi-style thinly sliced fish. Given the plethora of flavors and cultural influences, it is no surprise that Peruvian cuisine is often considered the crown jewel in South American culinary circles.

Diners enjoy the fresh ingredients, bold flavors and vibrant colors of El Inka Grill Ceviche in Dr. Phillips.

Diners enjoy the fresh ingredients, bold flavors and vibrant colors of El Inka Grill Ceviche in DrPhillips.

Spotlight on Seafood

Ceviche is a highlight of Peruvian cuisine, and El Inka Grill prepares intensely flavored, refreshing versions of this cold seafood dish using freshly squeezed lime juice, garlic, ginger, Peruvian rocoto pepper and red onion. The menu includes traditional ceviche with fish, shrimp, squid and octopus, as well as several that add creative elements like creamy black olive sauce and Parmesan cheese. The Ceviche Sampler — perfect for sharing — is a visually stunning presentation of four flavors of ceviche rich with fresh seafood, vibrant red and yellow peppers, herbs and spices.

El Inka Grill offers grilled ceviche so those who prefer cooked fish can enjoy every mouthwatering bite of the citrus-and-spice-marinated mahi-mahi, salmon or lobster tail. Seafood lovers will also enjoy arroz frutos del mar, a tasty rice and seafood dish flavored with anchiote oil, red pepper sauce and a white wine reduction.

The extensive menu offers something to please every appetite, from a hearty churrasco a lo pobre, a sizzling skirt steak served with sweet plantains and a fried egg, to a light Inka salad with Peruvian corn and warm aji amarillo dressing. There is even a kid’s menu featuring a petite churrasco steak with fries.

Lunch specials, served Monday-Friday, will satisfy your appetite and get you in and out within an hour. Choose from some of El Inka Grill’s most popular beef, chicken and fish dishes for just $9.95. For a modest supplement, you can add soup, salad or papa a la Huancaina, a classic Peruvian appetizer made from potatoes covered with cheese sauce.

El Inka Grill offers live entertainment Thursday and Saturday evenings, the perfect opportunity to gather friends for a pitcher of sangria and ceviche or snack on fried green plantains with a glass of chicha morada, an unusual and delicious housemade soft drink crafted from purple Peruvian corn, freshly squeezed lime juice, cinnamon and a touch of agave nectar. In addition to an extensive wine list, the bar offers several renditions of the iconic brandy-based pisco sour cocktail, from traditional to tropical flavors, including mango and passion fruit.

No visit would be complete without trying one of El Inka Grill’s exotic desserts. How often do you get the chance to sample lucuma ice cream? This super fruit indigenous to the jungles of Peru tastes both nutty and fruity, with hints of butterscotch. For over-the-top decadence, order the Lucuma Indulgence Chocolate, a slab of rich chocolate cake topped with lucuma ice cream. Other standout desserts include alfajores, flaky cookies stuffed with a creamy caramel filling, and picarones, traditional warm doughnutlike pastries bathed in brown sugar, cinnamon and clove syrup with a touch of orange.

“My passion is to share Peruvian cuisine with everyone,” chef Ivan said. “It’s so much fun. I want everyone to experience the flavor.”

El Inka Grill is located at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando. To view its menu, visit www.elinkagrill.com on the Web, and for more information, call 407-930-2810.