La Canela

La Canela, which translates to Cinnamon, was opened in winter of 2007 as a sister restaurant to La Flor de la Canela, our popular restaurant in Gaithersburg. Having owned and operated la Flor de la Canela, which was aimed at a primarily Peruvian audience, for nearly 14 years, we felt it was time for us to open something a little more upscale In order to share our cuisine and culture with a broader audience, hence, the idea for La Canela was born. During the time we were looking for a space to lease, the Rockville Town Square was opening its first shops. We were offered a spot on Gibbs Street, which at the time looked like a little more than a block of cement. Our intention was to build the restaurant as a replica of a traditional colonial house in Lima, adding to the ambiance and feeling of a family dining at home. Our greatest wish is to share, with everyone who walks through our doors, a little piece of our beloved Per. The culinary story of Peru is a remarkable fusion of cultures and flavors, much like the culinary revolution which has been taking place here in the US over the last few decades. Today, modern American cuisine is influenced by every culture from Nepalese to Italian. Every culture which has immigrated, has contributed to some extent to what is known today as Modern American Cuisine. In Peru, the story is similar¦but over 500 years in the making. Every culture that immigrated brought their crops which had little trouble adapting in Peruvian soil due to the diverse microclimates of the country¦every root found a home. Here is a brief summary of the most important culinary contributions: The Incas and The potato -The Inca Empire developed an elaborate irrigation system which allowed them to domesticate thousands of grains, tubers and peppers which quickly became their staple. The most important contribution by the Incas to the world¦The Potato. The potato is native to the Andes and the Incas cultivated more than 1000 different types.