High hopes for La Costanera

La Costanera interior ©opentable.com

UPDATE: First full restaurant review here

There is a huge buzz on the coast about chef/owner Carlos Altamirano’s new Peruvian restaurant La Costanera, the former Charthouse in Montara may finally become a successful local hotspot, expectations run high. Mr. Altamirano and his wife Shu have two other successful restaurants in San Francisco, Mochica and Piqueo’s (both also Peruvian). From what I have read the menu in the new establishment will feature up to 10(!) ceviches and as many as 30 Peruvian dishes ($31.00-$50.00, source: OpenTable.com), along with Pisco cocktails, a New World wine list, and beers from the Americas and Belgium, all set in a 10,000 sq three level setting with killer ocean views and a shiney new ‘coastal theme’ interior designed by Michael Brennan.

I have my fingers crossed that it works out for them, so many have failed before them and we really need another good eating place in Montara. Interestingly enough they state that they have ‘55 free parking spaces’. I wonder if they have figured out how to separate the beach visitors parking from their own, it gets pretty crazy there on hot Summer days, and if I understand correctly the dirt part of that lot is Coastal Commission controlled and the far left is Sate Parks. We will see how that one pans out, but I expect the parking to spill out onto Highway 1 as it has at Sam’s Chowder House down the road in Princeton. I am also interested as to how they will control the enevitable increase in litter and trash that the extra visitors will undoubtably generate, it’s bad enough as it is,more trash cans will help but I’m hoping the owners take an active role in preserving the beauty of Montara Beach. It will after all only make the destination more desirable for diners.

The following description is from opentable.com – “La Costanera is opening it’s doors to invite the seaside community of Montara to experience the culinary richness of Peru. Our menu reflects the fusion of styles and tastes that Peru is so famously known for. We pride ourselves in preparing all of plates with the freshest ingredients in our contemporary and time-honored dishes. La Costanera provides a warm and friendly ambiance for your dining experience, along with the décor which has been all crafted to evoke an inviting and rustic feel for our guests”. Additional details – Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef’s Table, Dancing, Fireplace, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine.

I’m looking forward to the opening night (rumor has it sometime in October) and our first dining experience there, to be honest I can’t wait to be able to walk from our house to a gourmet restaurant and have a good meal and a drink safe in the knowledge that I can walk home!