Los Balcones is like a mystery box from the moment the restaurant comes into your view.

The exterior of the space appears simple and unassuming and at first glance you would expect to step inside and for it to match. However, once you pass the door and step foot across the frame, it’s quite the opposite. Los Balcones in Studio City is beautiful once you’re in the presence of the interior. It’s as if a designer had their way with the conceptualization of the space and a single goal for it to be memorable.

Is that a bit of an exaggeration? Sure, but a fairly accurate one.

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Los Balcones was a restaurant I walked into with little expectation or understanding of what would be before me. All I knew was the restaurant specialized in Peruvian cuisine and had its start in Hollywood over fourteen years ago. With that, I was eager to see what would be before me as my friend Sara and I scanned over the menu with the waiter.

I can honestly say I didn’t have the best experience with the waiter who continuously flirted with my pregnant and married friend. Also being told to turn off my camera’s constant light while photographing for a review wasn’t the best way to start the evening, but separating the initial irritation from the job at hand was something I would have to do. Thankfully, Sara made it easier.

Waiter and light aside, we started the dinner. A few non-alcoholic drinks in and the plates started to arrive. The Salmon Tiradito ($16) was the first. The plate of Beet Tiger’s milk, roasted baby beets, orange miso, and beet powder seemed like it would be beet overkill especially for a person like myself. However, once diving into it and trying a few forks of it all, I realized it wasn’t as overwhelming as it seemed. The compilation of beets in all its forms was a pleasant way to explore the vegetable, but as a person who doesn’t need much beets to be happy this single plate was enough to last.

Instead I directed my attention to the other plates that filled the table.

Between the Quinotto ($24) and the Pulpo a La Parrilla ($22), it was hard to find a favorite. As two completely different dishes with little similarities, it was difficult to find one that made me happier than the other. Knowing that, I called it a draw. What made the Quinotto delicious was every ingredient that graced the plate. From the quinoa risotto, trumpet royal (mushrooms), Shimenji shiitake, pecorino(cheese), and truffle essence it was just perfect. I loved the beautiful color of the muted yellow against the vibrant green and how it all played together to devise a dish so delicious, that the only thing to remain is the spoon against the plate. It was delicate from the risotto and tender because of the varying mushrooms. It was the kind of plate that you can’t stop eating until you realize it’s gone.

That was the same scenario with the Pulpo La Parilla.

The plate of grilled octopus, a cauliflower puree, pickled fennel, anticucho BBQ, and a botija olive aioli was as delicious as the plate prior. I loved the octopus and how it was covered in such creative components. The striking fennel, the smoothest puree, and the aioli were paired so nicely with the octopus that I couldn’t stop slicing it into smaller pieces in hopes of prolonging the time I had with the plate. To no surprise to anyone else, it didn’t last forever in spite of my attempts at it.

The last item to take us along an exploration of Peruvian food was dessert. We shared the Lucama Budino ($12). Having tasted Lucama ice cream before, I was excited to see how it would be made here. In a single glass, the dessert was a pudding with a Chantilly cream and sprinkled with a salted feuilletine crumble. I could not stop eating this one because it was incredible. The salty crumble paired with the sweet cream to create an impeccable balance between tastes and further to textures from the crunchy to creamy. It was the type of dessert that was absolutely captivating from start to finish and only instilled disappointment when it was gone.

Dining at Los Balcones was delightful.

Minus the waiter and his attempts at a potential interaction with my friend that would go beyond the restaurant, the dinner was good. I enjoyed the ways in which Los Balcones surprised me from its design to its creativity within its menu and hope others can have the same experience. I’m thankful that I had the chance to walk inside, sit, eat, and discover a bit of Peruvian cuisine that I had little reference on prior to this very visit.

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Address: 11334 Moorpark St. Studio City, CA 91602
Phone: (818) 924-2323
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday – 5:00pm to 11:00pm and Closed Sunday and Monday.
Social: Website, Facebook, and Instagram.