Open: Las Viñas, Manhasset

Here are some early bites taken at Las Vinas, a stylish new Manhasset Peruvian restaurant:

Love the killer red sangria, especially with the restaurant’s warm freshly fried plantain chips. On the table is a trio of lively dips (cilantro-garlic, chimichurri and what our waiter describes as “Peruvian ranch dressing”). Dip the chip, eat the chip, go back for more. Repeat. Waiter, some more chips, please?

Chicken empanadas are savory but their interiors are dry. I like the arroz con mariscos, a Peruvian take on paella done with mussels, shrimp and calamari over yellow rice.  Rather than the traditional anticuchos made with marinated grilled beef hearts, the menu offers a choice of either skirt steak or chicken – fine but not the real deal.

Las Viñas is at 118 Plandome Rd., Manhasset

Empanadas at Las Viñas, Manhasset