I didn’t know much about this Latin-inspired restaurant, but I was excited to try Amaru since it was a new, highly-rated restaurant in Wicker Park. 

First of all, the decor and atmosphere are extremely stylish and comfortable. Unique touches and thoughtful design, with a warm, welcoming, cozy vibe. 

As far as the food and drinks, I started the night with a Pisco Sour and wasn’t overly impressed, but our server quickly replaced my drink with the recommended Sangria, which was excellent. It was a little bit of a different take on Sangria, not being overly sweet, and it paired deliciously with the food we ate. 

The table began with the yuca fries with mojo verde as a starter, which were extremely tasty! The texture is a little more “solid” than a potato, but with a potato-like flavor and consistency. 

For my main dish, I ordered the Frita Cubana, which was essentially a burger and was delicious, though essentially a pretty safe choice.

Espresso Tres Leches was the table favorite for a dessert choice and was the perfect way to cap off the meal.

I enjoyed the vibe and food at Amaru and would definitely come back again with a small group! I appreciated Amaru’s take on a variety of Latin American dishes, and can’t wait to explore more of the menu.