Mix, match Chinese, South American dishes with Chifa's lunch special

May 31, 5:05 PMPhiladelphia Cheap Eats ExaminerRobert DiGiacomo

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The dramatic dining room at Chifa

At Philadelphia's Chifa -- acclaimed chef Jose Garces' high-concept marriage of Chinese and South American cuisine -- those delicious little plates can add up quickly to a hefty bill. The new restaurant's $18 two-course lunch special offers an affordable way to sample the boldest concept yet from Garces (of Amada, Tinto, Distrito fame); Chifa recently earned a three-bell review from Philadelphia Inquirer critic Craig LaBan.

The Hiram Bingham Express (named after the explorer who discovered the "lost city" of Machu Picchu in 1912) includes a choice of nine first courses and eight second courses, as well as a nonalcoholic beverage.

During a recent lunch, I started with the cool and flavorful Peruvian ceviche (white sea bass in an emulsion of rocoto, a type of pepper found in Peru and Bolivia), followed by the hot and spicy beef noodle bowl (chile short ribs with sesame seeds, cilantro and bok choy).

My lunch partner stayed south of the border with her choices, opting for the Hiramasa ceviche (yellowtail kingfish in a ginger, pineapple, orange and yellow mustard emulsion) and finishing with the arepa sandwich (a nice crunchy/creamy combo of crispy cornmeal bread and a chicken salad with avocado and tomato.)

For dessert (not included, but worth the $8), we shared the hazelnut mocha, a dreamy combination of semisweet chocolate ganache, espresso granita and crunchy hazelnut brittle, topped with housemade sweet cream ice cream.

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