A Peruvian Restaurant and Pisco Bar Is Heading to Northern Liberties

A Peruvian husband and wife are bringing the flavors of their homeland to the Schmidt’s Commons in Northern Liberties. Francisco Acevedo and Carmen Silva are opening Chalaco's Ceviche & Pisco Bar with partner Giovanni Delfino in what was formerly Bar Ferdinand, across from the Piazza at 1030 N. 2nd Street in Liberties Walk. Renovations are slated to start in the fall, with the restaurant opening early 2018.

Silva and Acevedo are originally from Callao, Peru, where the citizens are nicknamed Chalacos — hence, the name of their new venture. Under chef Jose Luis Herrera, Chalaco’s will be serving Peruvian-style seafood, with a focus on ceviches, and large plates like lomo saltado (a stir fry with marinated steak) and charbroiled chicken.

Now about that pisco bar: The Peruvian brandy will be the backbone of the venue’s cocktail program with several pisco cocktails on offer, including chilcanos and pisco sours. Peruvian and American beers will also be available.

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Chalaco’s will be 2,500 square feet with seats for 90 in a dining room, private event space, bar, and lounge.

Acevedo and Silva are also co-owners of five Lima’s Chicken restaurants in Maryland, which serve Peruvian-style charbroiled chicken. Delfino, also originally from Peru, is a restauranteur with a decade of experience in the industry.

“We wanted to celebrate our country’s cuisine and bring it to an even wider audience here in the United States,” Defino said in a release. “Philadelphia seemed like the perfect place due to the always expanding food scene.”

When it opens, Chalaco’s hours will likely be 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Urban Village Brewing Company joined the lineup at Schmidt’s Commons earlier this summer. Chalaco’s is one of four upcoming restaurants and bars going into the development. Details on the other three have not been revealed yet.