We went for dinner when we were staying at the Nayara resort, and we really enjoyed the Japanese/Peruvian experience.
-We were originally seated on the outdoor deck, but it seemed more like a lounge than restaurant. The tables were low (seemed more set up for...cocktails than dinner). I also felt the lighting was a little too cold and harsh. I prefer warmer lighting—and I think it’s more flattering. So I requested to be moved inside, and they were more than happy to accommodate us.
-Inside, the decor was spectacular. It’s pretty small, but they did an amazing job with the space. There’s a gorgeous crystal chandelier centerpiece. The tables , chairs and barstools are all hand-painted in bright colors (mostly reds and blues). The tile mosaic floor is stunning.
-My companion ordered the cocktail that had mango purée in it. They originally said they were out of the mango, but when they saw he was disappointed, they made an extra effort to make it happen. This was so appreciated by us! And he ended up loving the cocktail! I tasted it too and thought it was delicious—I really enjoyed the coconut-covered rim!
-Orange and papaya marinated salmon nigiri were beautiful and very tasty. The one complaint is that the rice wasn’t perfect (a little dry).
-We tried two sushi rolls—one was more standard (a riff on spicy tuna) and one was very unusual (it had plantain and chicken). We actually really enjoyed both.
-We split the grilled yellowfin tuna which was well-prepared (a nice rare) and I think a steal at $16—some restaurants would charge double!
-Our server, Kaylor, was absolutely phenomenal. He was so nice and outgoing! He gave us great recommendations on the menu. And we ended up taking to him for a while and he gave us some fantastic advice about what to do on the rest of the trip. By the end of the meal, we felt we had made a new friend!More