It is said that the best way to learn about a place is through its food. Chicagoans with a desire to visit Peru need to travel no farther than the River North neighborhood, where Tanta restaurant takes guests on a culinary tour of this culturally and geographically diverse South American country. Tanta, which means “bread” in Quechua, makes Peruvian cuisine approachable with knowledgeable, genuine, and attentive service to complement a menu of shareable plates, from bright, citrusy cebiche (ceviche) to skewered grilled meat and fish and seasonal cocktails anchored by Peru’s national spirit, pisco. The restaurant, which opened in August 2013, is a collaboration between Chef Gastón Acurio and VBD Group.