Mochica

Came on a Saturday night with a group of friends and it wasn't busy. There were empty tables so we were able to sit immediately. The staff was very attentive and kind!I ordered a lomo saltado and a sangría. The steak, tomatoes, and onions in the lomo saltado were cooked to perfection and full of flavor. The fries were freshly cooked. The sangría was very good too! This restaurant is on the pricier side, but worth visiting if you want to try Peruvian food. It never disappoints! I will for sure revisit this spot!

Came back here for their happy hour with a friend! I got their Chicha Morada, and we split their Cebiche de Pescado with Yucca Chips as well as their Crispy Cebiche.Chicha Morada: 5/5, always love this drink both for its beautiful purple color and sweet yet not sugary flavor.Cebiche de Pescado with Yucca Chips: 5/5, my personal go-to since it's always so refreshing. Love the sweet potato in it, and the chips add a nice contrast of saltiness.Crispy Cebiche: 3/5, not a super standout dish. It was well-fried but didn't have a ton of flavor.Servers were friendly as always, extra attentive even since we were one of the only parties there that early. Overall, a great happy hour option that is worth the money. Will be back!

Dinner review. Peruvian.(Highlight) Anticuchos 21Peruvian style skewers, chili panca paste, crispy potato, Peruvian corn, OcopaCorazonCostillita de Chancho 19Crispy pork spareribs, Inca Kola-BBQ sauce, jicama saladTequeños 16Crispy wontons stuffed with Oaxaca cheese, avocado, tamarindo sauce(Highlight) Chicharrones 19Fried & crispy, marinated in our special sauce, rocoto aioli, lemonChickenElite de la Calle 11Mexican sweet corn on the cob, chimichurri butter, feta cheese, charred lemon, and Chile powderPescado a lo Macho 31Seafood bouillabaisse, pan roasted fresh Salmon, Chupe sauce, coconut riceChaufa Pork Belly 24Peruvian fried rice, pork belly, egg, asparagus, hoisin, aji Amarillo, wild mushroomsOverall, "I'm a fan."

Bunch of us decide to try Mochica for brunch on Sunday. Great food and relaxing atmosphere lead to some interesting conversation.The best dish was the Pescado a lo Macho...Seafood bouillanbaisse, pan roasted fresh salmon, Chupe sauce with coconut rice. it was sweet and savory! Had my taste buds dancing. Food arrived at a decent pace and our coffees were refilled without having to be asked.

My boss gave me another food rec, which was Mochica. I hadn't been here since they moved from Soma, so I figured it was time to try them again. Plus, it was Restaurant Week (RW), so it was the perfect time to try their menu. The three-course menu was $55 and the portions were large! I started off with ceviche. It was delightfully citrusy and with nice contrasting textures between the fish, sweet potato, and yucca chip. I wish there were more chips because I love a good crunch. My friend and I both started with that, and we probably could've shared it. But tbh, it was so delicious that I'm glad we each got our own.We added the Mac and cheese as an extra to our RW dinner. It was rich and cheesy with the right amount of truffle oil. I'm not sure where the aji amarillo sofrito was, but it was still good. I wish it had breadcrumbs on top, but I love texture so that's just me. I would totally order this again. Next up was the arroz con mariscos, which was savory and comforting. It had a lot of seafood, from mussels to squid to fish. They did not skimp out. They unfortunately ran out of flan, so I got panna cotta. It was tart from the passion fruit, but was calmed by the coconut. Though I would've loved to try the flan, ending the meal with a light dessert after a heavy entree balanced the dining experience. The restaurant is divided into two spaces and we sat at the left space (if you're facing the restaurant). Not sure about the right space, but the left space can get really loud. The ceilings are tall and conversations get amplified. But that's part of the vibe - food with bold flavors to experience with friends. Also, the Pinot noir I ordered was delicious! Def check out their wine list. Service was good. I had some questions about the RW menu and the waitress was super helpful. One thing I'd comment is to make sure you address your allergies. I put mine and my friend's allergies on the OpenTable reservation, but unfortunately the dessert she ordered had an ingredient she couldn't eat which wasn't listed as one on the menu. Some restaurants do go over what's listed on OpenTable, but just be sure to state any allergies in the beginning. Parking is difficult so take other means of transport or allot some time to find a spot. I would totally come back here for the ceviche alone.

I first knew about Mochica was years ago when I lived in San Francisco. Back then, it was located in SOMA, but after closing, it reopened in Potrero Hill--a quieter neighborhood I rarely visit. I'm glad I finally made it here. Mochica is one of several restaurants owned by Chef Altamira, whose other spots, like Paradita in Walnut Creek and Emeryville, and La Costanera on the coast, I've enjoyed. He also has a new one in his namesake Altamira' restaurant and bar. This was my first visit to the "new" Mochica, which has actually been around at this location for about 10 years now. The interior feels modern, updated, and culturally relevant. I appreciated their convenient hours: on weekends (Friday to Sunday), they're open continuously from noon through dinner, offering both brunch and the regular dinner menu. On weekdays, they serve lunch and dinner. The neighborhood is peaceful and quiet, with relative easy street parking, and the view of the downtown skyline is spectacular. The food was excellent, with generous portions. For appetizers, we tried the "ceviche pescado" and the "plátano maduro frito" in reduced tamarind sauce, which was delightful. The "bolitas de yuca" were decent but a touch too salty and mushy for my taste. For mains, the "1/2 Pollo La Brasa"was beautifully marinated, with tender meat and a refreshing side salad. The "arroz con marisco" was packed with flavor. The standout for me was the Peruvian classic, "lomo saltado"--it looked right, was prepared perfectly, and tasted authentic. The drinks were equally impressive. The "pisco sour trio"--featuring the classic lime, chicha morada, and passion fruit versions--was aesthetically appealing and well-balanced, with a pleasing mix of tartness, sweetness, and a hint of bitterness. Service was exceptional--friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and professional. The dining area had a great layout, with well-spaced tables creating a cozy yet lively ambiance. Mochica is a true neighborhood gem, serving honest, authentic, and upscale Peruvian cuisine. While it doesn't generate the same buzz as La Mar, it's exactly the kind of place that keeps diners coming back for more.

Mochica is an excellent restaurant in Potero Hill. We were at UCSF in nearby Mission Bay when we came for dinner. Even without reservations, our party of 6 was seated immediately on a Monday night for dinner.The restaurant is good sized with lots of lacquered wood and fun artwork and plants. They have a full bar and a generous menu. The service is attentive and friendly.The food is simply outstanding - we had an excellent tuna ceviche, some of the best mac and cheese on the planet (with aji amarillo), fabulous chaufa pork belly, and delicious Camarones Crocantes. The Argentinian malbec was reasonably priced and delicious. It was a fantastic meal, and I cannot wait to come again for these dishes.

Came here with a friend to try out the happy hour menu! The ambiance was great, and I enjoyed the location and the interior decor! The lights, wall decor, and even the windows added to the aura of the space!The service was also good and the waiters were attentive, checking up on us periodically.My friend and I got two non-alcoholic drinks, and both were fantastic. We also ordered two apps from the happy hour menu, and both had amazing taste! Food summary:Calamari chicharrones 9/10Fried very well, with great flavor! I enjoyed the toppings, which helped to pull the overall dish together. Would definitely order this again!Cebiche 10/10Definitely choose to get yuca chips with this- they add a very nice touch, providing a nice crunch and a little sweetness! The fish used was very fresh, and the flavor was just the right mix of sour and salty! The addition of the varied veggies was also good, creating an amalgamation of flavors.Drinks 10/10The chicha morada may be my new favorite drink! It was fragrant and sweet, and I definitely will be ordering it again! It is the purple-colored drink in my photo.

I'm not a fan of leaving bad reviews, but at some point your patience is tested. I live in the neighborhood, Mochica has been my go to spot for brunch for the last 8 months. Food is delicious and you get a seat very quickly in comparison to other spots in the area... it's quiet and cozy. I love that. My go to breakfast every time is the fig lemon pancakes, every time. Its absolutely delicious. I ordered my usual but something slightly different came out. What was in front of me was not what I initially ordered, no biggie... there are two pancake dishes, I understand confusion happens. When I mentioned it to the server, he at first didn't understand that I asked for the fig. He went back to view the menu to clarify what I was talking about. What frustrated me the most was when he tried to tell me 1st that the dish I ordered was the fig. He said but sometimes they put berries in it... if thats the case, mention that to me when I order, what if I had an allergy? I sat there for a while debating on what to do, I was insulted, the dish that I have eaten plenty of times was not in front of me and the server tried to gaslight me into thinking it was. When he noticed I wasn't eating anything, he made his way back and asked if something was wrong. I kindly let him know that this wasnt what I ordered as the triple berries were obviously on my plate... he then told me, they do the triple berry compote when they dont have fig... again, mention that to me at the beginning perhaps? At that point i was annoyed enough to simply send the food back that I didn't touch and paid for the only thing I consumed which was coffee. Had he just been upfront and honest with me, I wouldn't be writing this novel. I would have eaten my meal (though slightly disappointed) and went about my day. Instead, I walked across the street to Cracked and Battered and had breakfast there instead. I would say this left a bad taste in my mouth, but I didnt even eat the food, so there ya go.

good but overall prefer Limon or Picaro over Mochica especially for food. but appreciate their special occasion menus they have!