Chef Marcel Vizcarra is looking to expand his reach in the Jacksonville area with a potential third eatery in the area.
The restaurateur started to learn cooking from his mother’s side in Lima, Peru, before graduating from the city’s Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. The Llama Restaurant owner has brought the flavors of Peru to the Jacksonville area since he opened the restaurant at 415 Anastasia Boulevard in St. Augustine in 2016. Then, Vizcarra and his fiancé, Staci Cleveland, opened a three-bedroom, two-bath bed-and-breakfast at 21 Sidney St. Now Vizcarra appears to be working on a new, smaller restaurant, according to Jacksonville Daily Records.
While nothing is confirmed yet, JDR reports it could be as small as 500 square feet and could serve three-, five- and seven-course prix fixe menus to small groups of about ten customers. Vizcarra tells What Now Jacksonville this restaurant is still in the approval process from the Small Business Administration. Wherever this third restaurant lands, customers can expect something from the chef’s rich culinary history that involves a mixture of microclimates in Peru and influences from Asia, Africa, Italy, and Spain.
“From the moment you step foot into Llama, our goal is to immerse you in a fine dining experience that allows you to explore the rich culture, ingredients & tastes of my homeland, Peru,” Vizcarra says on his website. “We strive in taking your culinary experience beyond the four walls of our restaurant. Each dish is meticulously crafted using authentic ingredients that tells a story rich in Peruvian history and cultural influence. Our food doesn’t just fill your belly, it fills your soul and satisfies your curiosity for the unexpected. Relax, unwind, and explore. “
