el mono berkeley

the team behind longtime el cerrito favorite peruvian restaurant el mono have opened a second location in berkeley.

the family-friendly peruvian restaurant has reanimated the corner space at 1300 fourth street at the western end of gilman street, formerly the gilman grill, near the new roundabout. the casual, airy dining room has been refreshed with festive south american art ("el mono" refers to the ancient nazca line geoglyph of a monkey found in southern peru), and features comfortable wooden tables and counter seating; a small outdoor patio provides additional tables.

el mono serves chef-owner (and peru native) daniela diaz's hearty plates of traditional peruvian comfort food for lunch and dinner – ceviche, lomo saltado, fried fish, plantains and cassava, peruvian rotisserie chicken, saucy stews, rice and pasta-based dishes. (diaz co-owns el mono with matt khadivian.) burgers, sandwiches, colorful, protein-rich salads and many vegetarian options are also on the menu. the restaurant's grand opening was on may 17. expect cocktails to come soon, once the spot's liquor license comes through.