"Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez opened Mérito in 2018 in a narrow two-level space. It has quickly gained a cult following for its unique blend of Venezuelan and Peruvian influences. Some dishes feel more Venezuelan, like glazed pork belly with arepas, while others are purely Peruvian, such as raw razor clams with cushuro. The restaurant emphasizes the eclectic roots of the Barranco neighborhood, featuring original adobe walls and hand-painted tiles." - Nicholas Gill