Make Mo' Room for Mo-Chica

The media and blogosphere have raved about Mo-Chica the past few months, so Brother Monkey and I were excited when Papa Monkey suggested we go there for lunch.

Mo-Chica is in the Mercado la Paloma building near USC. The food court vibe is deceptive. Notwithstanding its gaudy plastic tablecloths, Mo-Chica is a far cry from food court fare.

Chicha morada (purple corn tea), cebada (barley iced tea with herbs and ginger root), maracuya (passion fruit juice) ($2 each).

I love interesting drinks. Funny enough, we each liked our own drink the most. Mine was the chicha morada.

Complimentary pumpkin soup.

Lovely beginning to what would be a superb meal.

Ceviche del dia -- seabass ceviche ($5).

So fresh and so good and so plentiful. Everything about this wowed me. The tang. The spice. The luscious texture. The crunch of the corn nuts. The tender crispness of the giant corn. Yes. You want this.

Papa ala huacaina -- roasted potatoes, boiled egg, huancaina sauce ($4).

This was my least favorite dish of the meal, but even this was good! Huancaina rocks.

Causa del dia -- crab potato salad ($5).

One of the best cold appetizers I've had in awhile. Creamy yet not heavy. Mo-Chica doesn't skimp on the crab, and that is a beautiful thing. Isn't this dish pretty? Tastes as good as it looks!

Seco de cordero -- lamb shank, canario beans, salsa criolla, cilantro, beer sauce ($13).

Literally fall-off-the-bone good. Rich and savory and precisely what every lamb shank wants to be when it grows up.

Oxtail risotto -- braised oxtail, barley-huancaina risotto ($13).

Incredible. To die for. Worthy of hyperbole. The meat melts in your mouth. This is a big smile in cheesy buttery risotto form. My absolute favorite of this meal.

Arroz con mariscos -- mixed seafood, shrimp, mussels, salsa madre, sauteed rice ($12).

Not particularly special but still expertly prepared.

Mo-Chica is terrific. You should go. Now.