Family-owned restaurant ‘Sol De Oro’ honors Peruvian culture and history

Family-owned restaurant ‘Sol De Oro’ honors Peruvian culture and history

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. —

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to shine a light on the people, cultures and businesses that help share the region.

‘Sol De Oro’ in Lake Placid, NY, is bringing Peruvian culture to the village.

It’s the only Hispanic restaurant in Lake Placid.

“We pretty much want to bring something new to the people and also want to bring our culture and explain to them the history of the Peruvian food, and where we actually come from,” said Christian Valdivia, part-owner of ‘Sol De Oro’.

The business is family-owned by the Valdivias, who were born in Peru.

“My mom makes the Peruvian dishes, only she’s the one that has the whole touch to it,” Christian said. “Mother’s hand is nothing better. It is really homemade food.”

‘Sol De Oro’ comes from the Incas, which is a Peruvian tribe. The name gives the restaurant one that’s rooted in history.

“The Incas used to hail the sun. So, we call it Sol De Oro, because that means the golden sun.”

The food is made with ingredients that come right from home.

“We bring our origin condiments and bring everything from Peru,” said Luis Valdivia, father and part-owner of ‘Sol De Oro’.

The Valdivias say they hope their space can provide a home away from home.

“Some of these people don’t have family members out here, and so we try to make them feel as much at home as they can,” Christian said. “We try to give them as much comfort in this as they can.”

They also want to provide a sign of hope for everyone who comes through the door.

“It brings in everybody. Brings some more joy, bring some more hope and brings in more diversity and everywhere so they could actually share what it is, not to only see the same thing always, and just move on and just keep going,” Christian said.