The long-awaited time has arrived for an award-winning restaurant to open its flagship business in Connecticut.
Coracora will open Wednesday, Dec. 10 in West Hartford’s upscale Blue Back Square, with a soft opening through the beginning of January 2026.
The restaurant will offer a full menu with limited seating for dinner Wednesdays through Fridays from 5. through 11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 51 Isham Road. The restaurant is also open at 162 Shield St., West Hartford.
The award winning Cora Cora restaurant will open its flagship restaurant in West Hartford next week on a limited basis for now. (Bread & Beast Photography)
“We are beyond thrilled to share our dream and Peruvian culture and gastronomy with the community that has been so supportive of us,” Grecia Ludena, co-owner of Coracora, said in a statement.
“Our flagship location is a multi-sensorial experience that represents different elements of Peru, of who we are, and we hope that our dedication and passion for hospitality is felt by our guests at every turn.”
The food menu will feature items that Coracora is known for while also adding new items with influences from throughout Peru.
Described as classic Peruvian with a Coracora twist, this includes new dishes such as croquetas de Ají de Gallina (croquettes of shredded chicken with a classic yellow chili pepper sauce), arroz con pato (a deeply aromatic and refined version of the northern Peruvian classic), seco de tira con tacu tacu (slow-braised short rib paired with a golden, crispy combination of rice and beans), and yuquitas a la huancaína (tender yuca bites served with their signature huancaína sauce). They also offer vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Dedicated to guests as they are their own family, a statement from the company says, the business is “intentional about the high-quality ingredients they choose, investing in high-quality, clean proteins that are hormone-free, free-range, and without unnecessary chemicals.”
They also genuine key ingredients such as ajíes, spices like cinnamon, and specialty corn varieties from Peru to keep their flavors authentic.
“This next step in Coracora’s journey is defined, in part, by our evolution,” Macarena Ludena, chef and co-owner of Coracora, said in the statement. “Our commitment to sharing creativity and new inspirations while honoring our traditions and roots is central to this next phase, and we are looking forward to introducing a new spin on Peruvian cuisine in the Connecticut dining scene.”
The award winning Cora Cora restaurant will open its flagship restaurant in West Hartford next week on a limited basis for now. (Bread & Beast Photography)
At the new location there will be a full bar area for guests to enjoy. The owners enlisted consulting firm Tres Tigres and worked directly with renowned Peruvian beverage consultant and mixologist Luis Flores, according to the company.
A restaurant representative said Coracora and Flores worked together to develop a bar menu that is modern, fun, and culturally grounded. Their wine list is “intentional and pairing-driven,” according to the business.
The nearly 6,000-square-foot space has a private dining area, 190 indoor seats, and a 41-seat outdoor seasonal patio.
Custom design highlights at the new restaurant include, according to the business:
A Nazca Lines wall mural: An ode to the Unesco World Heritage site in Peru, it is a series of giant geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert of Peru, created by the ancient Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE and still exists today.
A macrame wall divider and pendant chandeliers: representing Peru’s Andes mountain range and a nod to Peru’s macrame artistry for which it is known, respectively
A colorful pendant chandelier takes the form of the Inca Cross, the Chakana, and represents the Andean Cosmos with its array of colors exemplified by the fine woven string elements.
A black and white charcoal mural by L.A.-based Peruvian artist Rudolph Castro relating a story of food culture, farming, craft, culinary arts, and the evolution to the family table as a place where all come together to share stories and enjoy the cornucopia of what nature’s land offers.
The award winning Cora Cora restaurant will open its flagship restaurant in West Hartford next week on a limited basis for now. (Bread & Beast Photography)
Coracora was named Restaurant of the Year in Hartford in 2023 by the Connecticut Restaurant Association at their annual Crazies award gala.
The restaurant has also received recognition as a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant 2024 and 2022, finalist in the same category in 2023, and Semifinalist for Best Chef – New England 2022 (Chef Macarena Ludena).
Coracora has also been formally recognized by the government of Peru for its dedication to furthering Peruvian culture through gastronomy.