Restaurant Review

RESTAURANT REVIEW Geronimo’s Peruvian Cuisine

By Gregory Gilston, Esq.

When I was an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, my buddies and I used to frequent a local Peruvian joint near the campus in College Park. When I moved to Philadelphia in 2014, one of my biggest regrets about leaving the DC metro area after college was that I would no longer have access to this particular restaurant. To my surprise, shortly after I arrived in Philadelphia, so too did this Peruvian paradise. As I continued to frequent this fast casual spot, I became intrigued with the cultural cuisine, and captivated by the overwhelming flavor compressed in every dish.

When I was tasked with writing this feature and reviewing a restaurant in Montgomery County, I immediately knew that I wanted to expand upon my exposure to Peruvian cuisine. Little did I know that I would encounter such an incredible BYOB restaurant nestled in the middle of a busy block in Ambler, PA. Ever since 2021, Geronimo’s has been serving up authentic Peruvian comfort dishes with market-fresh ingredients, in an enjoyable space with a peaceful yet vibrant ambiance. Their menu features a selection of dishes, all made in-house by their team of talented chefs.

During my first (and definitely not my last) visit to Geronimo’s, I was joined by my wife and my business partner. It just so happened that this was their first in-person meeting, and it was a very enjoyable evening, amongst two very important people in my life.

We each enjoyed an appetizer to start. My wife ordered the Geronimo’s salad, which she claimed to include “some of the freshest ingredients she’s ever had.” This is high praise from a Sweetgreen addict. My business partner, Dean, ordered the Seafood Ceviche. It took him no time at all to finish this tasty dish, and when the waiter attempted to clear his plate, Dean replied by asking for just a few more minutes to “finish the sauce.” Yes…. Apparently, it was that good! I started the meal with the Shrimp Chowder which was truly delicious as well. The shrimp in the soup was extremely fresh, and the broth was light

131-A E. Butler Ave. Ambler, PA 19002 www.geronimosambler.com (215) 641-0900

yet flavorful. During the appetizer portion of the meal, the waiter also brought over some baked and salted Inca Corn to snack on, as well as some fresh bread complemented by a sweet butter made in-house.

For the main meal, we all chose slightly different dishes; everything was so delicious. We ordered the Pollo Al Limon – a tender grilled chicken breast sauteed in a thick lemon sauce, with onions and yuca, the Salmon a La Chorrillana – a perfectly cooked salmon filet with sautéed red onion, tomato, and Peruvian yellow chili on a bed of potatoes, and the Pulpo Al Oliva – grilled octopus with botija olive sauce and avocado. The grilled octopus was the best I have ever had, bar none.

For dessert, we shared the Lava Cake served with lucuma ice cream, and the Crème Volteda aka creamy Peruvian Flan – a staple of the Peruvian culinary experience. “Delectable” is the only word that could do justice for these two dessert dishes.

We truly enjoyed every minute dining at Geronimo’s restaurant in Ambler. If you make plans to dine there in the future, I highly recommend making a reservation in advance; we were the first people in, but definitely not the last people out. The dishes are sizeable, but a bit pricier than anticipated. The menu is a bit small, although they do offer some special dishes to add variety to the menu. Even then, there are enough options on the menu to create a worthy selection of appetizers and entrees from the ground, the land, or the sea. Ultimately, no dish on the menu will disappoint. The service was excellent, and so too was the BYOB option.

If you have something or someone special to celebrate, Geronimo’s is the place to go. A night wining and dining at Geronimo’s is a night well spent.