After sending my senior thesis off to the printers today, I went with Amitha, a recent Pomona alum who drive out from Diamond Bar to meet me for lunch. We went to the nearby Inka Trails on Foothill and since I�ve never had Peruvian food, I walked in with no expectations and lots of hope.

The interior was a welcome surprise, given the location and casual standard of most restaurants in Claremont. A semi-formal setting, dark and intimate, even during lunch service. (Sorry I only have a picture of the exterior...hehehe :)

For an appetizer, we shared a duo of beef empanadas ($6.00), which were easily the best part of the meal. Filled with salty-spicy mix of ground beef, onions, sweet green peas and black olives, it had the slightest hand of heat and just juicy enough to savor.

Wrapped tight in a flaky crust, it wasn�t the least bit greasy and paired excellently with a spicy avocado sauce that accompanied us throughout the meal.

I took great pleasure in the first dozen bites of the Aji de Gallina ($11.00) alternating between chicken and rich cheesy gravy and then the basmati rice before the dish started to feel too heavy and creamy for the portion size. The sauce would have more appreciated if it weren�t used in such lavish abundance - cream based and rich is good in small doses (with the exception of desserts). I don�t know what �Aji de Gallina� translates to for the life of me, but it was described on the menu as shredded chicken in walnut gravy sauce. The walnut flavor was subtle and I doubt I would have noticed it if I didn�t know beforehand.

I preferred the Seco de Carne con Frijoles (Fri, Sat, and Sunday only - $13.00) to the first entr�e. The simple stew featured two ample chunks of beef, stewed savory and fork tender in a deeply flavored broth, with the distinct flavor of cilantro, garlic and the barest hint of chili. The beans were cooked separately though blended right into the stew and spoonful of basmati rice with the gentle ease of a fork.

After lunch we pondered our fullness and bulging bellies, but alas, the desire for dessert wins every time. So we headed over to 21 Choices for the two best flavors of the day: girl scout thin mint and peanut m&m�s! It�s been a while since I�ve had such a fun lunch. The Claremont Colleges are so small that you often tire of seeing the same people all the time, so it�s always a good day when you meet someone who is actually interested in what they eat. As far as I�m concerned, if you like food and I like food, we�re bound to get along! Thanks, Amitha! :)

Inka Trails
1077 W. Foothill Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 626-4426