They've got the squid nailed down

It took nearly five years -- that's how long ago it opened -- to eat at the Peruvian restaurant Limon. When I tried to get reservations in the past, I was always told they'd be happy to seat me in three weeks. Somehow, our buddy Brent managed to snag us a table last night to celebrate Sparky's birthday.

We all loved the calamari. And Brent and I lapped up the Arroz con Mariscos (clams, scallops, mussels, shrimp and calamari cooked with saffron rice in a pepper shrimp sauce). On the other hand, Sparky wasn't so wild about his Pollo Latino (pan roasted chicken breast; truffle infused mushroom mashed potatoes with aji Amarillo jus).

The waiter was perfectly attentive and very sexy. Peruvian? No. I'd say Mexican. But the noise level was atrocious; next time, we won't sit on the mezzanine level. Last, an odd moment came when a guy -- one of the Castillo brothers, Martin, Antonio or Eduardo? -- came to our table after the entrees were served. He then described the dishes in great detail to the four of us. It was like a final sales pitch. We'd ordered these plates ourselves; why did we need a refresher course? Still, great food; we'll be back.

What: Limon. Where: 524 Valencia St. When: Open seven days; hours vary. How much: kind of pricey, Sparky says. All the entrees were in the $20s and up.