Fri June 13 - Sat June 21, 2008


Buffet $25 plus tax –Reservations requested

This is a dining extravaganza that can't be missed!
Dona Luz's third annual gastronomic celebration of Peruvian cuisine, music, and culture promises to be better than ever, with an enormous buffet and live music to get your toes tapping.

For over 15 years Dona Luz has been a casual family run restaurant, attracting a friendly mix of Toronto's Peruvian community and loyal neighbourhood foodies. Incan temples and scenes of traditional village life are proudly displayed amongst rustic artefacts from owner Luis Barretto's native Peru.

While sampling the best of authentic Peruvian cuisine, enjoy the evening's performance of traditional folk music. The tempo slowly builds, becoming more energetic as the evening progresses.

An impressive $25 all-you -can-eat buffet is offered for both lunch and dinner, with over 30 hot and cold dishes to choose from and a delectable array of fresh desserts. Your meal also includes a complimentary Pisco sour (a light brandy and lemon cocktail) or choice of soft drink.

Bring the whole family because the price is right and the food is amazing. Those under five years old eat for free and children 5-10 are only $9. Reservations are recommended during the festival, as this is an extremely popular event. To accommodate the crowds, table reservations are limited to two hours.

This nine-day Peruvian food festival will also help benefit the children of Mancora, a small fishing town on the Northern coast of Peru. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Para el Mundo, a non-profit organization that provides much needed resources for health, social services and education in the local community.

With such great variety and tempting choices, the well-stocked buffet will easily satisfy a range of tastes. Try a bit of everything - The buffet is completely replenished every half hour with new items to discover. Not sure where to begin? For a cold appetizer the Peruvian ceviche of marinated seafood is a perfect start. A zesty lemon sauce with a dash of spice enlivens this tender and delicious mix of shrimp, mussels, red snapper and calamari. Follow it up with a sampling of their eye-catching salads, made with colourful fresh vegetables and light dressings.

Hot appetizers from both land and sea make satisfying meals or perfect accompaniments to main dishes. Steamed mussels redolent of lemon and herbs vie for attention with Papa Rellena, fried yummy packages of creamy mashed potatoes with a crisp outside and spicy ground beef filling. The potato was first cultivated in Peru and has been a staple part of their culinary tradition for centuries. Try the simple fried root vegetables including potatoes, Cassava and plantain or perhaps Papa Huancayna, the national dish of Peru. Chilled Yukon Gold potatoes are covered in a velvety sauce made with South American feta cheese and mild chillies.

Whether your taste buds love mild temperatures or fiery heat there is something for every palate. Main dishes tend to be gently spiced but feel free to inch up the heat with Dona Luz's homemade hot sauce. Pile your plate with aromatic white or saffron rice and top with plump jumbo shrimp sautéed in a light garlic sauce or tender whole fish fillets.

Feeling the need for something meaty? Carnivores will love grilled T-bone steaks and slow cooked lamb and beef stews. Also of note is a Peruvian version of chicken satays. Whole chicken breasts are served with a mildly spiced sauce, packed with the flavours of roasted peanuts and chillies.

Desserts selections are too numerous to list, however of note are the fresh fruit salads, homemade pastries and Peruvian style doughnuts. These sweet ring-shaped fritters are made from pumpkin and sweet potato, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.

Come help support a great cause and celebrate the exceptional flavours of Peru.

It's a great cause, great buffet and great price! See you there!

Dona Luz

807 St. Clair Ave. West

(416) 652-7430