Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hostal Marcos $
( 31-6867; Jirón 9 de Diciembre 143; s/d incl breakfast S40/80)
Twelve spotless
rooms in a little place somewhat sequestered away at the end of an alley, which is clearly
signposted off Jirón 9 de Diciembre. Rooms offer 24-hour hot water and cable TV.
GUESTHOUSE
Eating
Regional specialties include
puca picante,
a potato and beef stew in a spicy red peanut
and pepper sauce, served over rice;
patachi,
a wheat soup with various beans, dried pota-
toes and lamb or beef; and
mondongo,
a corn soup cooked with pork or beef, red peppers
and fresh mint.
Chicharrones
and
cuy
are also popular. Vegetarians may accordingly be
challenged to find meatless fare:
chifas
are often the best bet. Within the Centro Turístico
San Cristóbal, some upbeat eats provide quality food and atmospheric, if slightly touristy,
dining, while Plaza Moré further down has gone one step further and offers eateries which
are positively gourmet: an indication of the changing face of Ayacucho, perhaps. After all,
how many towns in the Andes can boast a
Barrio Gastronómico
(gastronomic neighbor-
hood)?
Via Via $$
( 31-2834; Portal Constitución 4; mains S14-24; 10am-10pm Mon-Thu, to mid-
night Fri & Sat)
With its upstairs plaza-facing balcony, Via Via has the best views (and
steepest prices) with which to accompany your meal in Ayacucho . It's ethically sourced,
organic food - the spicy
albondigas
(meatballs) are tempting - but this is Peruvian-
European fusion cuisine, so you'll find something to sate you (like
quinnoto,
a risotto with
quinoa, or
salteado de alpaca,
a
lomo saltado
using alpaca meat instead of beef), and
crisp South American wine (from S30) to wash it down.
INTERNATIONAL
Mamma Mia $$
(Jirón 28 de Julio 262; pizzas S18-25; 4pm-midnight)
Don't pay attention to the myri-
ad signs offering pizza around Ayacucho these days (they're taking a leaf out of Cuzco's
book): this is the only place worth coming to. The Ukrainian owner has pooled his extens-
ive catering experience and come up with an atmospheric place where you can laze away
the late afternoon with real coffee and great cakes, or come later for delicious pizza and
ITALIAN
