Nasca

I visited Nasca for the first time this past weekend, and am quite happy that I finally made the trip.  This small restaurant off of busy Sandy Boulevard at 47th Avenue barely seats twenty people, but serves some of the best traditional Peruvian food around.  

Nasca has a minimalist atmosphere, with only small, unadorned tables and little artwork or decoration.  This feeling is fitting with the food selection, in that the menu only carries half-a-dozen appetizers and again as many entrees.  Because the food is quite authentic (confirmed by Peruvians in my family) many are unadorned and straightforward.  This does not mean, however, that they lack in flavor or presentation. 

I ordered Empanadas as an appetizer, Creamed Quinoa (kee-no-a) for dinner, and Picarones for dessert.  The Empanadas came two to an order, and were small but well sized for a starter.  The crust was flaky and crisp, while the filling remained moist; it was a good combination of flavors, combining sweet and savory well.  The creamed Quinoa with caramelized onions and goat cheese is the only vegetarian option on the menu, but it holds up well to the meatier dishes.  This dish is indicative of many, given that the title describes all aspects of what it is.  The flavor of the quinoa was subtle, while the tart vinegar notes from the onions blended well, adding a much-needed complexity to the dish.  The dessert, Picarones, is a traditional pumpkin dough fritter, topped with warm maple syrup.  They were crispy, dense yet soft, not too sweet, and they left me satisfied, yet wanting just one more – a perfect end to a great meal!

Nasca is a gem tucked into a small corner on an oft-overlooked area of Northeast Portland.  Very well prepared traditional food, great service, and for those of us watching our wallets, two people can easily have a three-course meal for less than $50.   There aren’t too many places featuring Latin-American (other than Mexican) food, and Nasca is a welcome addition to the city.

4644 NE Sandy Blvd‎ – (503) 493-4298