Vibrant Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei fusion w/ inventive ceviches & cocktails. Great for groups & business lunches.
Willa Moore reviews Papa San, a Peruvian-Japanese spot in Hudson Yards, highlighting its pleasant ambiance for business lunches but mixed results with its fusion dishes.
Papa San, from the Llama Inn team, offers a vibrant exploration of Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine in a stylish, plant-filled setting. Reviewers praise its creative dishes, particularly the exceptional ceviches and innovative cocktails. While some fusion combinations may be hit-or-miss, the overall experience is noted for its enjoyable ambiance, making it a strong contender for business lunches or group gatherings.
Papa San serves Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine, with a strong emphasis on creative ceviches and innovative cocktails. Dishes like the fluke ceviche and eel pizza are frequently praised, while some fusion combinations, such as the blue crab maki, have received mixed feedback. The Cacio e Pepe Udon and Wagyu dishes are also popular highlights.
"Highly recommended dishes include the Cacio e Pepe Udon, Eel Pizza, Wagyu dishes, and various ceviches, particularly the fluke ceviche."
Customers generally have a positive experience, highlighting creative dishes and cocktails, though some find the fusion approach uneven. It's often recommended for its ambiance, especially for business lunches.
Important Note
Some reviewers felt the fusion approach could be unbalanced, and the location in Hudson Yards might not appeal to everyone for dinner, with some suggesting it's better suited for business lunches.
"The author pointed out that Papa san has cute and unique chopstick holders for every seat."
Positive"The commenter's friend is a line cook at Papa San, and they report that the food is very good."
Positive"Papa San is a Japanese Peruvian restaurant from the same people who previously owned Llama San and Llama Inn. This type of fusion cuisine is common in upscale restaurants, even in Lima."
Neutral"This commenter praised the drinks at Papa San and found the udon and wagyu dishes to be great, but considered other food items to be just 'meh'."
Positive"This user believes that Hudson Yards is an uncool neighborhood and that Papa San is excellent with great food and service at a reasonable price, despite the neighborhood's reputation."
Positive"This commenter celebrated their 10th anniversary at Papa San, finding each dish better than the last with fantastic service and vibes. They noted the price was high but acceptable for a special occasion."
Positive"This commenter declared Papa San their 'freaking favorite place'."
Positive"The commenter believes restaurants like Papa San don't fit the Hudson Yards neighborhood, as locals don't prioritize high-cost dining there after corporate hours. They note that nearby mom-and-pop restaurants are usually crowded."
Negative"The commenter expressed surprise that the restaurant was empty despite the hyped-sounding dishes and is now curious to try the udon noodles."
Neutral"The commenter found Papa San to be very good, although a bit pricey, noting that this is typical for the Llama restaurants and the area."
Positive"A brief comment stating 'good eats' regarding Papa San."
Positive"The commenter agrees that Papa San is a cool spot and very good, despite acknowledging it might be a bit pricey."
Positive"The commenter stated that the restaurant is located in Hudson Yards and is geared more towards corporate clients."
Neutral"The commenter described the location as a 'horrible location' in the base of an office building."
Negative"The commenter questioned if the eel pizza was intended to be a pizza or okonomiyaki, implying it didn't fit either category well."
Neutral"This commenter had a very disappointing experience during a birthday dinner due to extremely slow service, incorrect dish delivery (serving meat to a vegetarian), and a lack of apologies or compensation. They found the food looked cooler than it tasted and have not returned."
Negative"The commenter felt the menu was mediocre, with a fusion approach that felt like Japanese ingredients were simply added to non-Japanese dishes. They also found the Hudson Yards location inconvenient, as it's primarily an office area."
Negative"The commenter attributed the restaurant's lack of crowds to its bad location."
Negative"The commenter tried the eel pizza and found it was not to their taste, despite liking both eel and pizza individually."
Negative"The author questioned why Papa San wasn't packed, considering it's from the respected Llama Group and the meal was strong, even better than a previous experience at Llama Inn. The restaurant is located in an odd corner near Hudson Yards, which might contribute to its low foot traffic."
Positive
