Loco Madre 'crazy mother' Peruvian restaurant opens its doors in Manly

Loco Madre swings open its doors tonight (Friday December 8), the Manly beachfront arrival named after owner Luke Cartwright's mother.

"It means crazy mother," he says. "My Mum broke her back but still insisted we have a family holiday hiking to Machu Picchu. We just fell in love with the flavour and colour of the food in Peru."

Peruvian head chef Antonio Saco is melding the food from his homeland with contemporary Los Angeles Mexican. Citrus-cured kingfish ceviche with Aji limo chilli, lime and pisco dressing is on the opening menu, alongside hand-torched scallops and Mexican fried chicken.

"There's a lemony, salty zing to the batter," Cartwright says.

The interior includes a mural of a whale "that transforms into an octopus".

Cartwright and his business partners have made a large play on the beachfront, snapping up neighbour Jellyfish in February and they also operate Beach Salt.

"Ed Cutcliffe from Little Marionette coffee has helped us a lot. He's also building a coffee cart clad in Australian hardwood we'll have out the front of the venues," Cartwright says.

Open daily 7am-11.30am; noon-9pm.

Shop 6/93-95 North Steyne, Manly, facebook.com/locomadremanly