I eat here about every two months. I always have a good meal. Last night my dish was excellent. I had House Corvina. The sauce was a garlic sauce over the fish with 4 jumbo shrimp on top. Perfect plantains, rice, salad. Fish very fresh, service excellent, clean and authentic.
(4)
Neil A.
Apparently this restaurant does not care so much about returning customers as they do about getting as much as they can while you are there. My wife and I visited. The server, who appears to be part of management/ownership, talked us into the "special". It turned out to be more expensive than anything else on the menu. The biggest disappointment came when an 18% tip was added on the bill. That alone was over $8. I wanted to dispute it because there was no notice anywhere that it would be done. But I decided we would just let it go. When we left, we were the only customers there. There is really nothing about this place that justifies the cost. Stay away.
Dining at El Warike was a very awkward experience. The waiter did not talk to us, just took our order. We did not have a drink menu, so I do not know what the drinks were. Did they have soda or Chicha Morada? Do they serve dessert? If so, what are the desserts offered? We felt very unwelcomed and just wanted to eat and get out of there are quickly as possible. We have coupons, but did not use them; because were the only customers there for dinner service and felt bad for the business. Most dishes run an average of $15.00, which is kind of pricey for the area of Bradenton, the creepy mini strip-mall center, and the lack of service. The placemats looked like they have not been cleaned in ages, so there was food crusted on the table. About the food? The food is delicious! The portions are large. We had the Steak with Chimichurri and the Ceviche Mixto. The steak was a little tough. The ceviche was not the best that I have had in the Tampa Bay area, but pretty darn good for Bradenton. It's unfortunate because we seriously only live a few blocks from the restaurant and could easily visit once a week if the food and service was good enough.
(4)
Erin L.
The food was delicious. My mother had the tuna ceviche, and enjoyed it quite a bit. I had the pescado a lo macho, which was nicely spicy, though a little too salty. The service was quiet and just what we wanted: no pressure, and kept our water topped off.
(4)
Erin M.
This is unbelievable food. Authentic flavorful and so interesting! Pork tamale, papa relleno and jaela mixta were fantastic. Oh and the sangria!!!! Fresh fruity not syrupy or too strong. We ordered two more meals to go halfway through our dinner!!!!!!!
(5)
Maria C.
This restaurant is excellent, the best Peruvian restaurant I've been to in the US so far. I am from Peru and came here today with my boyfriend and his parents. We all loved the food. I ordered different type of meals so they could learn about the Peruvian flavors. Everything was great. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Peter V.
Awesome Relaxing music, very professional service, excellent Peruvian food. Very friendly. Worth the price, the sauces are very tasty. Try the Yucca appetizer. High quality, I would go back.
(5)
JJ C.
Great great GREAT FOOD and place! Small buy once you recive your food you gonna fogot that! Good ceviche and the "arroz con mariscos" its a most!
(5)
Nichole G.
I ate here for the first time this evening. I wasn't sure what to expect upon arriving as the location is off of 26th street in Bradenton but am I ever happy I went! The service was great with a personal feel as the place is quaint. The calamari was delicious as well as the steak and shrimp that we ordered for our main entrees! I will definitely be back. Definitely a must try for yourself kind of place!
(5)
Ashley S.
Everything is fantastic!!! You won't be disappointed. Best calamari in the area. Dinner portions are quite large so we usually order an appetizer and than split the meal. The sangria is also very delicious with tons of fresh fruit. Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Stacey S.
My paella was very flavorful and the calamari and shrimp was delish! Very good service, the owners (waitress and chef) were so nice and they seem like the type of people you could just sit with and have a glass of wine. We were a party of 5 and each of us ordered something different and we all enjoyed and shared our meals. Thanks goes tour daughter for the wonderful treat!!
(4)
Jeff J.
This is a hole-in-the-wall with what I'll call relaxed service. It's all pretty charming if you've got time to kill because the service isn't bad. It's just tropically slow. I had chicharron de calamar for appetizer, and it was a nice spin on traditional calamari. Well breaded calamari topped with a ceviche style salad. Bright and vibrant flavors!! For entree I got the Friday special, Aji de Gallina. (shredded chicken in a creamy yellow pepper sauce served w/ potato and rice). The sauce was delicious, though I wish it were a little less thick, so that you could scoop some of the deliciousness onto the rice. The cilantro chicken soup that came with it was just mundane chicken soup-- nothing special there, and if anything, maybe detracted from the meal. I do have big problems with the automatic tip levied on the bill. We only had 3 people, so automatically adding 18% is a bit obnoxious. Add that to the fact that on the receipt the total distinctly says "pre-tip amount" is extremely misleading. I hope El Warike fixes this because it was a sour note to an otherwise good meal.
(4)
Paul V.
My wife and I finally got around to trying El Warike after driving past their location for years, and hearing good things about it from some of my relatives. El Warike is located in one of Bradenton's many sun-bleached strip malls (complete with headshop) so it doesn't look like much from the outside. The interior is much classier-looking, though the place was deserted when we visited at around 6:00 in the evening. I did notice that their placemats need washing, and their AC system was clattering away loudly, neither of which were really conducive to a relaxing experience. The service was attentive and speedy. We were given some complimentary Peruvian fried corn and dipping sauce, which was nice, and then ordered our entrees. My wife got mixed ceviche, and I ordered the churrasco sirloin. You get plenty of food at El Warike. The ceviche was literally a heaping pile of citrusy seafood goodness (maybe too much, to be honest). My sirloin was the size of my face, cooked to medium just like I ordered it, with a salad, a delicious bowl of beans, and a scoop of rice on the side. In both cases, though, I felt like the flavors weren't quite enough to justify the prices, which were slightly higher than I'm used to at a Latin American restaurant. Then again, that was a lot of seafood and steak, but I can't help feeling a little underwhelmed. El Warike has recently added pollos a la brasa, a Peruvian staple, to the menu, so maybe I'll give it another shot sometime. (Interesting note: even for a party of two, the gratuity was automatically added to the bill. I have no problem with that; I just think it's worth pointing out.)
(3)
Devashis R.
I ordered the Shrimp Chowder. It was decent but overall had too much cream/milk/cheese in it. There were lots of shrimp in it, which made the $10 price tag seem reasonable. There were tons of chunks of cheese in it, which when mixed with the already heavy cream base made for too much. The peas in the chowder seemed like they were frozen then added to the chowder. The poached egg was a nice addition. I think a description of what is in the three chowders on the menu would be helpful for patrons. I do think the prices are a bit steep for what this place is, but perhaps we caught the dinner menu and not the lunch (not sure if there is a lunch menu, though).
(3)
AnGela R.
Nice environment, friendly service, food was out quick. Food was acceptable, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Rachael T.
I felt the food here was a little pricey for Peruvian. The amount of food is huge, but I would rather have a smaller serving with a smaller price tag. The pollo saltado did hit the spot, but I wouldn't call it the best Peruvian in Southwest Florida.
(3)
kim s.
Ceviche is good fresh and flavorful. Service was attentive and courteous. Dining room is modest and simple but colorful. Definitely worth a try but as others say watch the bill it includes gratuity. They should point that out when they bring the check to avoid people feeling they got ripped off. Sadly we probably won't go back because of that practice.
(4)
Michelle M.
Food.. still amazing!!! the update is... WATCH THE BILL!!! I have found that the owners have begun adding 18% gratuity to every bill and DO NOT mention it. Before I realized this, I had continued to leave a tip on top of this. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR BILLS!!! I find this to be somewhat dishonest.. :(
(4)
Scott P.
Excellent food in this little hole in the wall (the chef/owner told us in fact that El Warike means 'hole in the wall' in Indian) Peruvian restaurant. The food is top rate, the decor is perfect for the place. We loved it and can't wait to go back. And the prices are great as well. I wish I could remember the names of the food we ate, but I don't! We ate one of the paella dishes (pictured), the ceviche was so fresh and tasty that it was probably one of the best I have ever had and the desert was fantastic as well. The chef owner puts a creative twist to his creations and this place would feel right at home in San Francisco!
(5)
Erica B.
Was my first time trying Peruvian food. Everything was delicious! Had Aji de gallina and boyfriend had churrasco. I would definitely come back. Don't let the outside deceive you.
(4)
Matthew T.
I've had a number of friends go here and like it. Both Yelp friends and non yelp. I finally broke down and went on Friday. There are some good things here but in all honesty I have to give them three stars and I'm tempted by 2. For one main reason, over cooked seafood in the Paella but I'll come back to that, because there were things I really liked. Wanted to try a number of things but settled on the Ceviche Caliente and Papa Rellena, both sounded interesting. Figured a couple of appetizers and then split a paella would fit the bill as I had heard the paella and other entries could be rather large. The Ceviche wasn't really a ceviche but I liked it a lot. IT was more of fish cubes coated in corn starch and flash fried, much line some Asian techniques, but then served with the traditional ceviche citrus marinade with red onions and a very good spicey sauce. Be sure to get it hot, not mild or medium or it would not work. The acid and spice worked well together and while it was flash fried it was similar in texture to the more traditional ceviches, which they had many varieties of, this is the one on the appetizer menu. This was totally worth coming back for and one reason they get three and not two. The Papa Rellena, was interesting. Basically mashed potato wrapped around typical epenada filling and quick fried to give it a crust. Good and the filling was very yummy again a winner. Now we come to the Paella. IT looked good. It smelled good. The rice was flavorful and nicely done, but the seafood, Rubber. Every scallop, every fish like thing in this was way over cooked. Even the mussels. Makes me think they either cooked them previously and warmed them back up or threw all the delicate seafood in at the start of the paella and just cooked the crap out of it. But no place that serves such over cooked scallops, octopus, and mussels gets a good rating. Sorry. This is a rookie mistake. Strange considering all the great review about the seafood here. So maybe the B team was working last Friday? A shame as I don' think I'll be in a hurry to go back even with the great Ceviche caliente I enjoyed so much. OH yeah, and be aware they add 18% to the check. That is the second Peruvian place in the area that does that. I typically tip 20% even when the food has issues, but I get pissy when you add that and then still leave the tip line open. Dealing with cheap old people or trying to get another tip on top of the 18%? Inquiring minds would like to know.
(3)
Jackie P.
Been here three times in the past year. First two times were outstanding. We were so pleased! Then the third time a couple months later it was like a different place. We ordered the same food and it was not the same. Very bland and smaller in portion. Are they hurting financially or something? They always are pretty full when we've gone. Service started lacking too. Won't return. Go back to the way it was!!
(2)
Jenah V.
Love this for date. Off beat location but worth exploring. Yum yum yummy calamari
(5)
Garry B.
I was told that El Waricke has been in the present location for five years and I have somehow only recently discovered this splendid restaurant by happy accident. It is very inconspicuous-- in a modest strip mall on a secondary street. The interior is very pleasant and cheerful. I was delighted to find Peruvian ceviche so far from Peru and the grilled corvina was a splendid delicacy. I'll be back! Highly recommended.
(5)
Peggy V.
WOW. A first-rate, there's-a-chef-in-the-kitchen restaurant located in a strip mall... Went there on Monday night, close to closing time, and it was roughly half full. The waitstaff was friendly and knowledgeable. Ordered a Peruvian beer, the calamari, and then two of the specials, which I'm embarrassed to say I cannot recall the names of! One was the chef-recommended chicken dish, the other the chef-recommended fish wrapped around crab meat. My dining companion and I oohed and aahed through the meal, exchanging bites and marveling over the flavors. We saved room for dessert, which was somewhere between ice cream and pudding. It's hard to describe, but saying that there were pumpkin tones and cinnamon comes close. I will go again and again. Unbelievably good.
(5)
Kellan S.
This is a place my wife and I will more than likely go to again and again. The food is great, the service is exceptional, and even though I only had beer, the drinks looked phenomenal. My wife had the sangria and it was really good (I normally do not like sangria). As for the food, I could not have asked for a better meal that night. We started with the calamari, which I have to say is the second best I have ever had (first was at this little hole in the wall in Cozumel, Mexico). The Hispanics just know how to do calamari. For dinner I had one of the corvina dishes (popular fish in Peru) which was covered in a creamy yellow sauce served with rice and some shrimp a scallops thrown in there. It was very tasty, very filling, and a great concept. The only downfall (which wasn't terrible) was there was just a little too much sauce. My wife had the Churrasco, and I must say it came with the best chimichurri sauce I've had. Very fresh and flavorful. Finally, for dessert, we had a Peruvian specialty which was like a soft cookie Napolean covered in condensed milk and a chocolate sauce. This was pretty good, but I probably would not get it again. The server was phenomenal. Very helpful and there to ask any questions we had. We also got to speak to the chef/owner which is always a treat. As I said in the beginning, we will definitely be returning.
(4)
Charlie P.
A pleasant, unpretentious little restaurant in a shabby strip mall dominated by a head shop. I'm not fluent in Peruvian food, but this was a very good meal. The papa rellena was an unusual starter. Mashed potatoes stuffed with ground beef sounds heavy, right? No, even though it was briefly deep fried. The dish was fluffy and spicy. Its topping of marinated red onions added some snap. For entrees my wife had a large, attractive platter of sauteed shrimp with crab-stuffed corvina (a white fish). I had seco de res, which was steak tips marinated in a cilantro/garlic sauce. A tender and very good home-style entree. Adequate vegetables, though the peas were probably frozen. In general, the flavorings were familiar, but used in unusual quantities. Lots of cilantro. It's spicy food, but not hot. The service was attentive and friendly. The wine list is short but good enough. One app, two entrees, two glasses of wine each plus tip and tax totaled $78. A good value. One caution: The actual menu is a bit smaller than the web site's version. But there's plenty to choose from.
I don't know where the chef was last night. I was so excited to try this Peruvian restaurant based on all the good ratings, but was sadly disappointed. Was there 2 1/2 hours and only received a bottle of wine and two appetizers. Had to ask for water 4 times, never received our meal's we ordered because the waiter messed our ticket up. We decided to leave and pay for the wine and appetizers, they tried to charge us for the dinner's we did not receive. When I noticed she took it off the bill, but still charged the 18% gratuity on the entire total with the dinners, we paid over $80 for wine and two appetizers. What a rip off! Don't know if the owner was gone, but I can't believe the great reviews! My husband had to go to the men's restroom to get toilet paper for several women because they would not re-stock after knowing they were out. I will never return......
(1)
Sylvia S.
Went back to FL for the holidays and came straight here. I gotta say I was a bit disappointed that they were using Tilapia (blegh!) for the ceviche. Flavors were still good tho, so maybe the recession got to their fish guy?
(4)
Victor C.
Sometimes good, but too often WAY too salty and too hot.
(3)
Tobin G.
I've eaten at El Warke twice and am looking forward to my next meal there. The food is flavorful and interesting with many authentic peruvian seafood dishes and drinks. A definite local's place, the food is freshly made and te portions are large. The service is friendly and helpful (especially if you've never had Peruvian food). Definitely check it out!
(5)
Jakob R.
I decided to try out El Warike on a whim and was very pleased with it. I have had yucca at a dozen places and this was by far the best I have ever had. The beef heart was tender and spiced excellently. I will definitely return!
(5)
Edgard C.
We were recommended to this place by a local on a visit to Brandento. Wend we part in front of the restaurant we noticed the kitchen door was in the front and the cooks were throwing garbage out. I say to my self that was an unusual location for the kitchen door to be, and I don't need to know what is going on in the kitchen. That's wend I noticed one of the worse things you can see getting out and back to a restaurant kitchen, one of the cooks with a bloody wrap on his finger, crimson red like is been bleeding for a long time! We get back on our vehicle and left. Disgusting
(1)
Dylan A.
Great place to eat and I must agree that the food is fabulous but I do have to say that someone with power somewhere needs to do something about the gratuity added to your bill automatically that doesn't go to the employees. I recently went there, a week ago, and noticed that the gratuity was added to our party of 3. Its done in a manner that if you don't check, you miss it. We asked our server and she said yes, the owner does it to all parties no matter the size. We left additional tip because the service was good and she was by herself trying her best to manage the restaurant after a party of 12, 8, and 2 four tops sat within the 45 minutes we were there. Still perplexed over the tip, my friend, who's knows an ex employee, called and asked about the gratuity. And please don't get me wrong, the tip added just makes it easier for me not to do the math, I got the feeling that something just wasn't right. The ex employee explained to us that the owner, which I personally do not know, has the gratuity added, he keeps that, and in return pays the wait staff $10 an hour. So our waiter had about 30 people she was attending (which included a birthday party and a family get together) to that time that we were there. I approximate that at the lower end of my calculations would be at least $450 in sales. The young gal should've at least made $85-$100 (low end). Instead this server made $15 in that hour and a half just in wages. This is a crime and because of that, I will no longer support this establishment. My review has no bearing on their food. Prices are a bit high and knowing that the owner also keeps the percentage just disgusts me.
(1)
Vicki H.
Have eaten here 3 times so far. Do not let the location or exterior fool you! Terrible location in a small strip plaza, however, go eat there:-) Everything we have ever had there was fantastic & the service is fantastic too. Best restaurant we have been to in Bradenton so far. The place is very small but somehow that adds to the charm. If you have a large party, I would recommend phoning them first.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Deborah C.
I eat here about every two months. I always have a good meal. Last night my dish was excellent. I had House Corvina. The sauce was a garlic sauce over the fish with 4 jumbo shrimp on top. Perfect plantains, rice, salad. Fish very fresh, service excellent, clean and authentic.
(4)Neil A.
Apparently this restaurant does not care so much about returning customers as they do about getting as much as they can while you are there. My wife and I visited. The server, who appears to be part of management/ownership, talked us into the "special". It turned out to be more expensive than anything else on the menu. The biggest disappointment came when an 18% tip was added on the bill. That alone was over $8. I wanted to dispute it because there was no notice anywhere that it would be done. But I decided we would just let it go. When we left, we were the only customers there. There is really nothing about this place that justifies the cost. Stay away.
(2)Jim H.
This was our second visit to this hidden gem in Bradenton, serving fresh well prepared Peruvian food. Immediately with our menus they provide a small dish of crunchy roasted corn to snack on with a delicious dipping sauce of mayo, jalapeno, and cilantro. We started with a large pitcher ($19.99) of iced cold Sangria chocked full of fresh fruit chunks and an appetizer of Calamari ($7.99) perfectly fried with a light batter, topped with paper thin sliced red onions and served with four pieces of fried Yucca. This was large enough to be an entrée for one and was outstanding. Yes, the onions with the fried squid were excellent. My wife had Corvina stuffed with crab meat ($17.99) served with fresh mushrooms and perfectly cooked nice sized shrimp. The large platter included potato, broccoli, carrots and fresh green beans sporting grill marks, cooked just right but still crunchy. I had the Churrasco ($15.99) a medium size, well trimmed, thin (pounded) sirloin steak marinated in Chimichurri. The flavor of the garlic, parsley and olive oil made the somewhat chewy (think Palomilla) steak really delicious. It included a small salad of lettuce and tomato, white rice and a white bean mixture that was memorable. The creamy beans had a smokey flavor from bacon and I was told it included finely minced yellow peppers. I didn't get the name but it was really special. This is a small restaurant with an attractive, immaculate interior. Service was prompt and expect to occasionally be served and/or greeted by the chef. They do have a policy of adding an automatic 18% gratuity when dining in. Not a problem given the level of service. Portions are large, nice atmosphere (perfect music), pricing fair for what is provided, and care that's obvious in the food preparation. See the attached pictures!
(5)Coty S.
Dining at El Warike was a very awkward experience. The waiter did not talk to us, just took our order. We did not have a drink menu, so I do not know what the drinks were. Did they have soda or Chicha Morada? Do they serve dessert? If so, what are the desserts offered? We felt very unwelcomed and just wanted to eat and get out of there are quickly as possible. We have coupons, but did not use them; because were the only customers there for dinner service and felt bad for the business. Most dishes run an average of $15.00, which is kind of pricey for the area of Bradenton, the creepy mini strip-mall center, and the lack of service. The placemats looked like they have not been cleaned in ages, so there was food crusted on the table. About the food? The food is delicious! The portions are large. We had the Steak with Chimichurri and the Ceviche Mixto. The steak was a little tough. The ceviche was not the best that I have had in the Tampa Bay area, but pretty darn good for Bradenton. It's unfortunate because we seriously only live a few blocks from the restaurant and could easily visit once a week if the food and service was good enough.
(4)Erin L.
The food was delicious. My mother had the tuna ceviche, and enjoyed it quite a bit. I had the pescado a lo macho, which was nicely spicy, though a little too salty. The service was quiet and just what we wanted: no pressure, and kept our water topped off.
(4)Erin M.
This is unbelievable food. Authentic flavorful and so interesting! Pork tamale, papa relleno and jaela mixta were fantastic. Oh and the sangria!!!! Fresh fruity not syrupy or too strong. We ordered two more meals to go halfway through our dinner!!!!!!!
(5)Maria C.
This restaurant is excellent, the best Peruvian restaurant I've been to in the US so far. I am from Peru and came here today with my boyfriend and his parents. We all loved the food. I ordered different type of meals so they could learn about the Peruvian flavors. Everything was great. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Peter V.
Awesome Relaxing music, very professional service, excellent Peruvian food. Very friendly. Worth the price, the sauces are very tasty. Try the Yucca appetizer. High quality, I would go back.
(5)JJ C.
Great great GREAT FOOD and place! Small buy once you recive your food you gonna fogot that! Good ceviche and the "arroz con mariscos" its a most!
(5)Nichole G.
I ate here for the first time this evening. I wasn't sure what to expect upon arriving as the location is off of 26th street in Bradenton but am I ever happy I went! The service was great with a personal feel as the place is quaint. The calamari was delicious as well as the steak and shrimp that we ordered for our main entrees! I will definitely be back. Definitely a must try for yourself kind of place!
(5)Ashley S.
Everything is fantastic!!! You won't be disappointed. Best calamari in the area. Dinner portions are quite large so we usually order an appetizer and than split the meal. The sangria is also very delicious with tons of fresh fruit. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Stacey S.
My paella was very flavorful and the calamari and shrimp was delish! Very good service, the owners (waitress and chef) were so nice and they seem like the type of people you could just sit with and have a glass of wine. We were a party of 5 and each of us ordered something different and we all enjoyed and shared our meals. Thanks goes tour daughter for the wonderful treat!!
(4)Jeff J.
This is a hole-in-the-wall with what I'll call relaxed service. It's all pretty charming if you've got time to kill because the service isn't bad. It's just tropically slow. I had chicharron de calamar for appetizer, and it was a nice spin on traditional calamari. Well breaded calamari topped with a ceviche style salad. Bright and vibrant flavors!! For entree I got the Friday special, Aji de Gallina. (shredded chicken in a creamy yellow pepper sauce served w/ potato and rice). The sauce was delicious, though I wish it were a little less thick, so that you could scoop some of the deliciousness onto the rice. The cilantro chicken soup that came with it was just mundane chicken soup-- nothing special there, and if anything, maybe detracted from the meal. I do have big problems with the automatic tip levied on the bill. We only had 3 people, so automatically adding 18% is a bit obnoxious. Add that to the fact that on the receipt the total distinctly says "pre-tip amount" is extremely misleading. I hope El Warike fixes this because it was a sour note to an otherwise good meal.
(4)Paul V.
My wife and I finally got around to trying El Warike after driving past their location for years, and hearing good things about it from some of my relatives. El Warike is located in one of Bradenton's many sun-bleached strip malls (complete with headshop) so it doesn't look like much from the outside. The interior is much classier-looking, though the place was deserted when we visited at around 6:00 in the evening. I did notice that their placemats need washing, and their AC system was clattering away loudly, neither of which were really conducive to a relaxing experience. The service was attentive and speedy. We were given some complimentary Peruvian fried corn and dipping sauce, which was nice, and then ordered our entrees. My wife got mixed ceviche, and I ordered the churrasco sirloin. You get plenty of food at El Warike. The ceviche was literally a heaping pile of citrusy seafood goodness (maybe too much, to be honest). My sirloin was the size of my face, cooked to medium just like I ordered it, with a salad, a delicious bowl of beans, and a scoop of rice on the side. In both cases, though, I felt like the flavors weren't quite enough to justify the prices, which were slightly higher than I'm used to at a Latin American restaurant. Then again, that was a lot of seafood and steak, but I can't help feeling a little underwhelmed. El Warike has recently added pollos a la brasa, a Peruvian staple, to the menu, so maybe I'll give it another shot sometime. (Interesting note: even for a party of two, the gratuity was automatically added to the bill. I have no problem with that; I just think it's worth pointing out.)
(3)Devashis R.
I ordered the Shrimp Chowder. It was decent but overall had too much cream/milk/cheese in it. There were lots of shrimp in it, which made the $10 price tag seem reasonable. There were tons of chunks of cheese in it, which when mixed with the already heavy cream base made for too much. The peas in the chowder seemed like they were frozen then added to the chowder. The poached egg was a nice addition. I think a description of what is in the three chowders on the menu would be helpful for patrons. I do think the prices are a bit steep for what this place is, but perhaps we caught the dinner menu and not the lunch (not sure if there is a lunch menu, though).
(3)AnGela R.
Nice environment, friendly service, food was out quick. Food was acceptable, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Rachael T.
I felt the food here was a little pricey for Peruvian. The amount of food is huge, but I would rather have a smaller serving with a smaller price tag. The pollo saltado did hit the spot, but I wouldn't call it the best Peruvian in Southwest Florida.
(3)kim s.
Ceviche is good fresh and flavorful. Service was attentive and courteous. Dining room is modest and simple but colorful. Definitely worth a try but as others say watch the bill it includes gratuity. They should point that out when they bring the check to avoid people feeling they got ripped off. Sadly we probably won't go back because of that practice.
(4)Michelle M.
Food.. still amazing!!! the update is... WATCH THE BILL!!! I have found that the owners have begun adding 18% gratuity to every bill and DO NOT mention it. Before I realized this, I had continued to leave a tip on top of this. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR BILLS!!! I find this to be somewhat dishonest.. :(
(4)Scott P.
Excellent food in this little hole in the wall (the chef/owner told us in fact that El Warike means 'hole in the wall' in Indian) Peruvian restaurant. The food is top rate, the decor is perfect for the place. We loved it and can't wait to go back. And the prices are great as well. I wish I could remember the names of the food we ate, but I don't! We ate one of the paella dishes (pictured), the ceviche was so fresh and tasty that it was probably one of the best I have ever had and the desert was fantastic as well. The chef owner puts a creative twist to his creations and this place would feel right at home in San Francisco!
(5)Erica B.
Was my first time trying Peruvian food. Everything was delicious! Had Aji de gallina and boyfriend had churrasco. I would definitely come back. Don't let the outside deceive you.
(4)Matthew T.
I've had a number of friends go here and like it. Both Yelp friends and non yelp. I finally broke down and went on Friday. There are some good things here but in all honesty I have to give them three stars and I'm tempted by 2. For one main reason, over cooked seafood in the Paella but I'll come back to that, because there were things I really liked. Wanted to try a number of things but settled on the Ceviche Caliente and Papa Rellena, both sounded interesting. Figured a couple of appetizers and then split a paella would fit the bill as I had heard the paella and other entries could be rather large. The Ceviche wasn't really a ceviche but I liked it a lot. IT was more of fish cubes coated in corn starch and flash fried, much line some Asian techniques, but then served with the traditional ceviche citrus marinade with red onions and a very good spicey sauce. Be sure to get it hot, not mild or medium or it would not work. The acid and spice worked well together and while it was flash fried it was similar in texture to the more traditional ceviches, which they had many varieties of, this is the one on the appetizer menu. This was totally worth coming back for and one reason they get three and not two. The Papa Rellena, was interesting. Basically mashed potato wrapped around typical epenada filling and quick fried to give it a crust. Good and the filling was very yummy again a winner. Now we come to the Paella. IT looked good. It smelled good. The rice was flavorful and nicely done, but the seafood, Rubber. Every scallop, every fish like thing in this was way over cooked. Even the mussels. Makes me think they either cooked them previously and warmed them back up or threw all the delicate seafood in at the start of the paella and just cooked the crap out of it. But no place that serves such over cooked scallops, octopus, and mussels gets a good rating. Sorry. This is a rookie mistake. Strange considering all the great review about the seafood here. So maybe the B team was working last Friday? A shame as I don' think I'll be in a hurry to go back even with the great Ceviche caliente I enjoyed so much. OH yeah, and be aware they add 18% to the check. That is the second Peruvian place in the area that does that. I typically tip 20% even when the food has issues, but I get pissy when you add that and then still leave the tip line open. Dealing with cheap old people or trying to get another tip on top of the 18%? Inquiring minds would like to know.
(3)Jackie P.
Been here three times in the past year. First two times were outstanding. We were so pleased! Then the third time a couple months later it was like a different place. We ordered the same food and it was not the same. Very bland and smaller in portion. Are they hurting financially or something? They always are pretty full when we've gone. Service started lacking too. Won't return. Go back to the way it was!!
(2)Jenah V.
Love this for date. Off beat location but worth exploring. Yum yum yummy calamari
(5)Garry B.
I was told that El Waricke has been in the present location for five years and I have somehow only recently discovered this splendid restaurant by happy accident. It is very inconspicuous-- in a modest strip mall on a secondary street. The interior is very pleasant and cheerful. I was delighted to find Peruvian ceviche so far from Peru and the grilled corvina was a splendid delicacy. I'll be back! Highly recommended.
(5)Peggy V.
WOW. A first-rate, there's-a-chef-in-the-kitchen restaurant located in a strip mall... Went there on Monday night, close to closing time, and it was roughly half full. The waitstaff was friendly and knowledgeable. Ordered a Peruvian beer, the calamari, and then two of the specials, which I'm embarrassed to say I cannot recall the names of! One was the chef-recommended chicken dish, the other the chef-recommended fish wrapped around crab meat. My dining companion and I oohed and aahed through the meal, exchanging bites and marveling over the flavors. We saved room for dessert, which was somewhere between ice cream and pudding. It's hard to describe, but saying that there were pumpkin tones and cinnamon comes close. I will go again and again. Unbelievably good.
(5)Kellan S.
This is a place my wife and I will more than likely go to again and again. The food is great, the service is exceptional, and even though I only had beer, the drinks looked phenomenal. My wife had the sangria and it was really good (I normally do not like sangria). As for the food, I could not have asked for a better meal that night. We started with the calamari, which I have to say is the second best I have ever had (first was at this little hole in the wall in Cozumel, Mexico). The Hispanics just know how to do calamari. For dinner I had one of the corvina dishes (popular fish in Peru) which was covered in a creamy yellow sauce served with rice and some shrimp a scallops thrown in there. It was very tasty, very filling, and a great concept. The only downfall (which wasn't terrible) was there was just a little too much sauce. My wife had the Churrasco, and I must say it came with the best chimichurri sauce I've had. Very fresh and flavorful. Finally, for dessert, we had a Peruvian specialty which was like a soft cookie Napolean covered in condensed milk and a chocolate sauce. This was pretty good, but I probably would not get it again. The server was phenomenal. Very helpful and there to ask any questions we had. We also got to speak to the chef/owner which is always a treat. As I said in the beginning, we will definitely be returning.
(4)Charlie P.
A pleasant, unpretentious little restaurant in a shabby strip mall dominated by a head shop. I'm not fluent in Peruvian food, but this was a very good meal. The papa rellena was an unusual starter. Mashed potatoes stuffed with ground beef sounds heavy, right? No, even though it was briefly deep fried. The dish was fluffy and spicy. Its topping of marinated red onions added some snap. For entrees my wife had a large, attractive platter of sauteed shrimp with crab-stuffed corvina (a white fish). I had seco de res, which was steak tips marinated in a cilantro/garlic sauce. A tender and very good home-style entree. Adequate vegetables, though the peas were probably frozen. In general, the flavorings were familiar, but used in unusual quantities. Lots of cilantro. It's spicy food, but not hot. The service was attentive and friendly. The wine list is short but good enough. One app, two entrees, two glasses of wine each plus tip and tax totaled $78. A good value. One caution: The actual menu is a bit smaller than the web site's version. But there's plenty to choose from.
(4)christine a.
A real find. We love this place. If you have a group, order the Jalia Mixta...a mountain of fried fish, mussels in the shell, yucca and shrimp topped with marinated red onion and garlic. My favorite is the house corvina, a light white fish grilled and topped with sautéed shrimp with chimichurri or the churrasco. Family loves seafood tacu tacu, paella and crab stuffed corvina. They're served with various sides....from beans to salad or yucca or fried plantains. This is interesting food. If you want to try an authentic Peruvian restaurant El Warike is the real deal. After reading other reviews, yes, they charge 18% gratuity for all parties, but I figure they must have had some bad experiences with cheapskates. So, since we usually give 20%, I don't find it off putting at all. Yes, water may take a few minutes to get to you, but a small, family-run ethnic restaurant can offer so much more than a breadbasket and water...go with an open mind and I think you'll enjoy. Weekends lately, they have had a guitarist playing soft acoustical music. Reservations recommended on Friday and Saturday...30 seats fill up quickly.
(5)Arden T.
I don't know where the chef was last night. I was so excited to try this Peruvian restaurant based on all the good ratings, but was sadly disappointed. Was there 2 1/2 hours and only received a bottle of wine and two appetizers. Had to ask for water 4 times, never received our meal's we ordered because the waiter messed our ticket up. We decided to leave and pay for the wine and appetizers, they tried to charge us for the dinner's we did not receive. When I noticed she took it off the bill, but still charged the 18% gratuity on the entire total with the dinners, we paid over $80 for wine and two appetizers. What a rip off! Don't know if the owner was gone, but I can't believe the great reviews! My husband had to go to the men's restroom to get toilet paper for several women because they would not re-stock after knowing they were out. I will never return......
(1)Sylvia S.
Went back to FL for the holidays and came straight here. I gotta say I was a bit disappointed that they were using Tilapia (blegh!) for the ceviche. Flavors were still good tho, so maybe the recession got to their fish guy?
(4)Victor C.
Sometimes good, but too often WAY too salty and too hot.
(3)Tobin G.
I've eaten at El Warke twice and am looking forward to my next meal there. The food is flavorful and interesting with many authentic peruvian seafood dishes and drinks. A definite local's place, the food is freshly made and te portions are large. The service is friendly and helpful (especially if you've never had Peruvian food). Definitely check it out!
(5)Jakob R.
I decided to try out El Warike on a whim and was very pleased with it. I have had yucca at a dozen places and this was by far the best I have ever had. The beef heart was tender and spiced excellently. I will definitely return!
(5)Edgard C.
We were recommended to this place by a local on a visit to Brandento. Wend we part in front of the restaurant we noticed the kitchen door was in the front and the cooks were throwing garbage out. I say to my self that was an unusual location for the kitchen door to be, and I don't need to know what is going on in the kitchen. That's wend I noticed one of the worse things you can see getting out and back to a restaurant kitchen, one of the cooks with a bloody wrap on his finger, crimson red like is been bleeding for a long time! We get back on our vehicle and left. Disgusting
(1)Dylan A.
Great place to eat and I must agree that the food is fabulous but I do have to say that someone with power somewhere needs to do something about the gratuity added to your bill automatically that doesn't go to the employees. I recently went there, a week ago, and noticed that the gratuity was added to our party of 3. Its done in a manner that if you don't check, you miss it. We asked our server and she said yes, the owner does it to all parties no matter the size. We left additional tip because the service was good and she was by herself trying her best to manage the restaurant after a party of 12, 8, and 2 four tops sat within the 45 minutes we were there. Still perplexed over the tip, my friend, who's knows an ex employee, called and asked about the gratuity. And please don't get me wrong, the tip added just makes it easier for me not to do the math, I got the feeling that something just wasn't right. The ex employee explained to us that the owner, which I personally do not know, has the gratuity added, he keeps that, and in return pays the wait staff $10 an hour. So our waiter had about 30 people she was attending (which included a birthday party and a family get together) to that time that we were there. I approximate that at the lower end of my calculations would be at least $450 in sales. The young gal should've at least made $85-$100 (low end). Instead this server made $15 in that hour and a half just in wages. This is a crime and because of that, I will no longer support this establishment. My review has no bearing on their food. Prices are a bit high and knowing that the owner also keeps the percentage just disgusts me.
(1)Vicki H.
Have eaten here 3 times so far. Do not let the location or exterior fool you! Terrible location in a small strip plaza, however, go eat there:-) Everything we have ever had there was fantastic & the service is fantastic too. Best restaurant we have been to in Bradenton so far. The place is very small but somehow that adds to the charm. If you have a large party, I would recommend phoning them first.
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