Ricardo Zarate Opening Paiche April 2

Peruvian chef Ricardo Zarate will be opening the doors to his much anticipated izakaya-like restaurant Paiche on April 2, serving up "Peruvian izakaya cuisine" starting at 11:30 a.m. in California's Marina del Rey.

As we previously reported, Paiche won't be a cevicheria, as Zarate had originally predicted, but will serve Japanese-inspired Peruvian small plates.

"It's going to have a very strong accent on seafood but with a Japanese flair," Zarate told The Daily Meal's video producer Ali Rosen. "Many people know — or I don't know if many people know! — that in Peru we have a lot of Japanese influence in the cuisine."

According to a press release, the design and menu are all inspired by the ocean, especially since the name, Paiche, comes from the name for a prehistoric Amazonian fish. 

And even though the official opening is April 2, Zarate's team has announced a lottery to get in before doors officially open; those who want to be first should email lottery@paichela.com with their name, party size, and phone number by 8 p.m. on March 26. Winners chosen from a random drawing will get first dibs on tables before the opening, although the dinner prices won't be any different.