Day 13: Machu Picchu

Think about World Cups eight, twelve years from now and how many Americans will refer back to Donovan’s goal as the moment they started caring about soccer. Magical:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k29wBfLmNP0

And on those good vibes, I coasted into Machu Picchu Restaurant on Indpendence, one of an impressive three Peruvian joints in our fair city. By the time my dining partner (Brittany, Spanish teacher fenomonál and veteran from Goles y Frijoles Day 1) arrived, I had already been befriended by three Mexicans and a Nicaraguan who were cheering on Germany as they struggled to score against Ghana and had managed to unwittingly order the lunch special of the day. (I was later able to pun "Ghana" and "gana," the Spanish word for "wins" to the delight of the whole table, if anyone's keeping score of that.) Thankfully, the special offered another much-needed respite from the heavy Mexican entrees that have been ravaging my stomach as of late. It started with a tasty vegetable and beef soup whose ample veggies made up for the fatty beef. However, the soup's main selling point has to be what I initially thought were its dense, almost chewy potatoes. However, they were more likely yuca, also known as cassava, a native South American root. The main course of the special was a $5.50 (!) heaping plate of Arroz Chaufa Pollo, a simple chicken fried rice with scallions and peppers. As Brittany pointed out, it's the kind of dish Americans would be quick to drown in any kind of sauce, whether it be hot, soy, or duck. We took our cue from our four friends up the table, though, and ate it straight. I, for one, had no bones about enjoying the lighter side this time around.

In addition to boasting a menu replete with unique seafood and rotisserie offerings, Machu Picchu also fancies itself a panadería, so on the way out I scooped a sandwich cookie to go. The proprietor informed us that the caramel in the middle is imported from Peru. As I type this entry, I'm finishing the cookie, and all I can say that if these cookies were allegedly invented to complement un café, a convincing argument for the inverse could certainly be lobbied.

The Score: Even if the food were not as delicious and the clientele so amiable, can you even begin to argue with a $5.50 daily lunch special?