Deli Monasterio - Cusco

We thought making a trip to an Oriteal Express hotel would be one of finer dining moments in Peru but we were extremly disappointed. Bland tasting food that was... read more We thought making a trip to an Oriteal Express hotel would be one of finer dining moments in Peru but we were extremly disappointed. Bland tasting food that was simply overpriced however great wait staff but I would advise anyone who is not staying there to go somewhere else. Fortunately, it was a beautiful hotel with the restaurant sitting and overlooking a courtyard however the food could not redeem it.

As part of the package we booked at Hotel Monasterio, we were entitled to a meal at the Illariy restaurant. We opted to wait a few days after our arrival to boo... read more As part of the package we booked at Hotel Monasterio, we were entitled to a meal at the Illariy restaurant. We opted to wait a few days after our arrival to book the restaurant in order to make sure the altitude had soaked in.The setting is absolutely wonderful with the restaurant facing the courtyard of the hotel. It is very romantic and serene.The menu is a mix of peruvian dishes and international fare. It's definately more modern than the setting would indicate.The wine list is limited and the prices go up quickly. We had a chat with the sommelier and apparently it's not so much because of hotel markup but rather that availability of good wine especially from europe is limited. We opted for a spanish wine from Ribera that was excellent.I had the tuna salad as an appetizer and the pieces of tuna were large and very tasty. I would say the size of the appetizer was even too big for me. Similar with the main course, I can't recall the exact name of the dish but it was something like jamaican steak. It was also really good but way too big. After the first two courses we opted against desert. We asked for our bottle of wine to be brought up to our room which was done promptly.The quality of the food and the preparation was overall excellent. It was however lacking a little something to be a realy 5* experience. The service and setting are wonderful. I would give it another shot and I would certainly recommend guests of the hotel to try it out.

The restaurant was a wonderful setting for a nice romantic evening, but the food was seriously lacking. The presentation was good as was the service, but I coul... read more The restaurant was a wonderful setting for a nice romantic evening, but the food was seriously lacking. The presentation was good as was the service, but I could have had a better meal for a far cheaper price at many location throughout the city. My advice would be to choose somewhere else. I’ve read that the Hotel Monasterio is the nicest hotel in Cusco, this I don’t question, but the same does not hold true for the restaurant.

I found my dinner experience at Illariy to be impressive, the hotel itself is amazing and the setting of the restaurant - overlooking the courtyard - is beautif... read more I found my dinner experience at Illariy to be impressive, the hotel itself is amazing and the setting of the restaurant - overlooking the courtyard - is beautiful. My waiter was professional and attentive. I ordered the guinea pig and it was done really well, almost like a duck confit, but a little gamy-er, the baby corn had a wonderfully intense flavour that I'd not had with baby corn before. All in all a very pleasant evening.

The hotel and the restaurant are beautiful. The setting is so lovely and peaceful that you really want to stay and relax.Illariy is sensational in every context... read more The hotel and the restaurant are beautiful. The setting is so lovely and peaceful that you really want to stay and relax.Illariy is sensational in every context. The food is appealing, beautiful and delicious. It is truly Peruvian and touching to all senses without being fussy. Its the only restaurant after a week in Peru that I cant stop thinking about.We all enjoyed our dishes and all remarked on how beautiful they were presented.What a great place to dine - thank you