Tis Me Michelle

It had been quite a while since I’d done a day on Winter’s Park’s Park Ave. When they hosted their last art fest, I enjoyed the lovely day and all the fantastic art. It’s a small street, packed with great bites and cute stores. After walking around admiring the wonderful artists, I was ready for a bite to eat. I looked on handy dandy Google if there was anything of interest I hadn’t tried before. And that’s when I found Cevi’ch Central, a Peruvian restaurant.

The Parking: Park Ave parking isn’t too bad on the regular, but the art festival definitely made it tricky. I ended up having to pay for parking, which is crazy. On a non-event day, there is a decent-sized lot by the train tracks, which is where I usually park. Always a few spots on the main road, if you’re so lucky. Otherwise, there are a few lots around, depending on the day could charge an entry fee.

The Vibe: It is a newer spot, opening at the top of this year. The decor gives modern, clean, coastal vibes. It wasn’t too busy when I got there, only a couple of other parties, so it was basically open seating. There’s plenty of seating indoors, but since the weather was so delightful, I sat outside. The staff was also super sweet.

The Food: It was a late lunch, and this menu is on the pricier side. I wasn’t planning on splurging that day. I know, what a shocker for me! I opted out of getting a drink because I really didn’t need it, and nothing was really calling out to me. When you arrive, you are greeted with a dish of Peruvian corn snacks. It was crunchy and satisfying.

On the other hand, I was intrigued by most of the menu. Ultimately asked my waitress for her recommendation between a few things, and I landed on the PULPO ANTICUCHERO. I kept gravitating towards the octopus dishes, so I was happy with the choice. I was only a bit hesitant because the price of this dish, under appetizers, was the same as some of the things I was eyeing for main courses.

When the dish arrived, I was no longer hesitant. It was a mound of food. A hot plate of potatoes topped with a load of well-seasoned octopus. There was more Peruvian corn, but this time boiled or steamed, versus the crunchy snack earlier. The octopus was perfectly cooked and tender with great flavor. The potatoes were mainly soaking in the flavor of the octopus, delicious and hearty. I preferred the corn as the snack version provided at the beginning. It is a meatier, dense corn. If it were seasoned, I would have been more into it, but it was just bland, unseasoned corn. Maybe it was meant to soak the flavor of the octopus, but I don’t think it did as well as the potatoes.

It was so much food, I had to pack up a decent amount of it for later. It’s definitely a shareable appetizer, or if you’re just in the mood for some good octopus, you can order it as your main like I did. Since this was really a meal on the go, I ended up skipping dessert as well.

Overall: For a random pick, Cevi’ch Central ended up being a pleasant surprise. My dish was tasty and filling. I would order it again. I wish it were more affordable, but for the proportions and quality, I’m not disappointed. If there were a half-sized portion/price option, I would be more inclined to go more often. But I would love to come back to try some other dishes, maybe the ceviche! Definitely worth a try if you like seafood!

Rating: 8.5

Address: 528 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789