By Chef Erik Ramirez

Chef Erik Ramirez heads the kitchen of Brooklyn's Llama Inn where he's creating modern Peruvian-American dishes. He previously has worked at Eleven Madison Park, Raymi, and Nuela.

On Llama Inn

We are a neighborhood restaurant and our influence is Peruvian, but our style of cooking, technique, freedom of interpretation is New York. We are not a traditional take on Peruvian by any means.

Llama Inn is not only about the food. Everything from the energy in our dining room, to the music we play, and our special cocktail program is to create an experience for our customers. Like Lima, Williamsburg is a melting pot of different influences on food, art, fashion and where exciting things are happening in New York.

On Peruvian Cuisine

I'd like people to know how diverse Peruvian cuisine. Peru is broken up into 4 regions: the coast, the Andes, the Amazon and the desert. You have a lot of bio-diversity and different microclimates. The result is amazing products: the coast offers Ajies and seafood; the northern coast has the exotic white cocoa from Puira; grains, seeds, herbs, corn, algae, and potatoes from the Andes; and exotic fruits and plants from the Amazon, as well as the Paiche fish, one of the world's largest fresh water fish from the Amazon river.

Dishes To Try

Definitely try the quinoa and banana dish because it is both exciting and unexpected and the beef tenderloin stir-fry because it's an interactive crowd pleaser. Our aniticuhos are our representation of Peruvian street food and you can order them by the piece. Picarones are probably the closest to traditional Peruvian food. You can find them on every street in Peru. For dessert, the chocolate Lucuma is delicious and every ingredient is essentially Peruvian.

On the cocktail front, the Flying Pisco Sour is a cool take on a Pisco Sour. It's a cool color because it's made with Peruvian purple potatoes. The Llama Del Rey is a refreshing Peruvian punch made with a traditional beverage called Chicha Morada using purple corn. The Cumbia cocktail has interesting flavor combinations with grilled pineapple and quinoa orgeat. Lastly, the Matador Swizzle is a refreshing and light cocktail made with sherry.

LLAMA INN
50 Withers Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
T: 718.387.3434 | llamainnnyc.com

Book a Table

Llama Del Ray | Photograph courtesy of Llama Inn

Chef Erik Ramirez
My Guide to Brooklyn

COFFEE

For coffee, I vary between Toby's Estate, Devocion, and Blue Bottle in Williamsburg. Variety Coffee in my old neighborhood of Bushwick and Daily Press or Kitten Coffee in my new neighborhood of Bed-stuy.

JUICES

If I decide against a coffee, which I usually do, I'll go to the Bush Doctor Juice Bar right up the street from my apartment.

BUSH DOCTOR JUICE BAR | 307 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216 | T: 718.594.7607 | thebushdoctor.net

BREAKFAST

I'm not a big breakfast head, but if I do, I go to Okonomi for the traditional Japanese breakfast as well as Five Leaves or Egg.

SANDWICHES

Lorimer Market is an old school Italian deli right up the street from Llama Inn. My go to sandwiches are the Boss (a hero with hot capicola, hot soppressata, fresh mozzarella, smoked Italian ham, prosciutto cotto, arugula, tomato, chili oil, and banana peppers) and the Professor (a panini with hot soppressata, asiago, and hot cherry peppers).

LORIMER MARKET | 620 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 | T: 718.389.2691 | lorimermarket.net

Photograph courtesy of OddFellows Ice Cream

AFTERNOON SWEETS

For afternoon sweets, I always hit Oddfellows for ice cream, as well as Momofuku Milk Bar, Ovenly, Dough, which is in my neighborhood (Bed-Stuy), as well as Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain.

Cocktails at Hotel Delmano | Photograph courtesy of Hotel Delmano

EVENING COCKTAILS

At Donna, I love their Paloma on tap and the nachos. Hotel Delmano has a good vibe, great energy and service. Pete's Candy Store is right around the corner from llama Inn (the old watering hole). Barcade is perfect if you love arcade games. St Mazie has good live music. The Ides at the Wythe Hotel has a fantastic view. Get to know the bartenders at Night of Joy.

Mafaldini at Lilia | Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.

DINNER

At Lilia, my boy Erik is the chef there and he's awesome -- definitely try the Mafaldini. Semilla has a great vegetable tasting menu. Both Franny's and Buttermilk Channel are both wonderful and consistent restaurants. St. Anselm is right around the corner from Llama Inn and they have such a good steak.

FED NYC Feature Stories

Featured

Restaurateur's Guide to Eating Outside in Brooklyn

As the weather warms up, restauranteur Emily Hyland (Emmy Squared) passes along her favorite Brooklyn restaurants with outdoor backyard gardens and street-side tables.

Chef's NYC Favs for Global Eats

Chef Shawn Burnette hits four NYC boroughs for Middle Eastern Labneh, Mexican tacos, American barbecued ribs, Ethiopian flatbread, and Aussie hangover food.

Chef's 3-City Bar Crawl

Join chef Matt Bolus of Nashville's 404 Kitchen for a three-city tour of his favorite places to imbibe.

Chefs' 6 Favorite Things New York

Chefs Janine Booth & Jeff McInnis share their favorite 6 NYC restaurants, "whatever your mind can dream up, you can find it here."

Pitmaster's Guide to the Best BBQ Joints

Swig & Swing BBQ pitmaster Anthony DiBernardo gives you his five favorite barbecue joints and what to order.

Chef Patrick Connolly's Brooklyn Guide

Chef Patrick Connolly of Rider takes you along for his perfect day in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick. From pastrami egg & cheese to a hearty ribeye.

FED Shop

Featured

Holiday Gift Guide

Here is the FED selection of gift ideas for eating, drinking, mixing, brewing, reading, and traveling.

City Travel Kit

How not to look like a tourist when you're toting around camera gear. Here are recommendations from the FEDitors for an on-the-go day pack when touring a city.

American Vermouth

Whereas the European vermouth makers are somewhat constrained by law and must include wormwood in their ingredients, the American vermouth produces are not limited by the rules.

We ❤︎ NYC For Locally-made Souvenirs

Instead of buying a ticky tacky NYC souvenir made in China, try these small-batch, artisanal culinary finds made right here in New York City.

Paris | Wine Shopping

Pick up a unique bottle of wine to bring home or drink while you are in Paris with these nine stores where the wine pros love to shop.

Beer Guide to the Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay Area has stepped up its beer game in the last few years. Here are the pros recommendations for which local beers they love to drink.

Chef's Brooklyn Guide

By Chef Erik Ramirez

On Llama Inn

On Peruvian Cuisine

Dishes To Try

Chef Erik Ramirez
My Guide to Brooklyn

COFFEE

JUICES

BREAKFAST

SANDWICHES

AFTERNOON SWEETS

EVENING COCKTAILS

DINNER

FED NYC Feature Stories

FED Shop

© Find. Eat. Drink. LLC

Chef's Brooklyn Guide

By Chef Erik Ramirez

On Llama Inn

On Peruvian Cuisine

Dishes To Try

Chef Erik RamirezMy Guide to Brooklyn

COFFEE

JUICES

BREAKFAST

SANDWICHES

AFTERNOON SWEETS

EVENING COCKTAILS

DINNER

FED NYC Feature Stories

FED Shop

Chef Erik Ramirez
My Guide to Brooklyn