When I heard a popular Madisonville restaurant was expanding the New Orleans, I was intrigued. I talked to one of the owners of Social Peruvian, Omar Lugo, about the expansion, elevated Peruvian food and what made him want to open a New Orleans location.
Lugo is the founder of Habs Hospitality Group and has founded multiple restaurants in the area including Whiskey Kitchen in Slidell, Tacos Awiwis in Covington, and Momento in Madisonville. He opened Social Peruvian with his business partner Adolfo Gasalvez, a seasoned chef with expertise in Peruvian cuisine.
When Social Peruvian’s first location opened last year in Madisonville, it was an instant hit. When Lugo realized that customers were driving from New Orleans to get a taste of his restaurant’s menu, he made a plan to open a second location in New Orleans.
He says, “I was skeptical about opening in New Orleans, but when a spot opened on Magazine St. that was previously Tito’s Ceviche, we thought it was perfect. And by coincidence Tito’s was the first restaurant where I tasted Peruvian cuisine.”
The space at 5015 Magazine St. is small but boasts a cozy atmosphere complete with a patio. When it comes to the menu, Lugo wanted a smaller menu on very specific, and well executed selections.
“Every dish we do has very Peruvian flavors, but we bring the flavor and the presentation to the next level,” Lugo explains.
Menu highlights at Social Peruvian include Herb Guacamole with Hass avocado, herbs, house sauce, feta cheese, tostadas, and black onion powder; Calamari with crispy calamari rings, rocoto sauce, salsacriolla, and house sauces; Ceviche Social made with catch of the day, octopus, crispy scallops, aji amarillo leche de tigre, sweet potato, choclo, Canchita, avocado mousse, and green oil; Arroz Con Mariscos with Peruvian paella style rice, shrimp, calamari, octopus, parmesan, and green beans; and Pasta Al Pesto with Panko crispy chicken, Peruvian green noodles, parmesan, and ají pollero.
Social Peruvian is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The restaurant also serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
