Fine Peruvian cuisine in Montclair | Our American Dream

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - Juan Placencia grew up in the kitchen. Born in Lima, Peru, he emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of one and half. Juan's family arrived in New Jersey 30 years ago. Over the years, they ran three smaller restaurants.  

A passion for cooking made him go to the Culinary Institute of America. He then worked in some of New York City's top restaurants. And in March 2010, he opened up Costanera in Montclair, home to some of North Jersey's most renowned restaurants. He took the family's authentic Peruvian secret recipes and gave them a twist of his own.

The Placencias have been very successful. A Latino family who packed up their life in a suitcase to followed what every immigrant wants to accomplish: the American dream.