La Canela, which translates to “Cinnamon”, was opened in winter of 2007 as a sister restaurant to La Flor de la Canela, our popular restaurant in Gaithersburg.
Having owned and operated la Flor de la Canela, which was aimed at a primarily Peruvian audience, for nearly 10 years, we felt it was time for us to open something a little more upscale In order to share our cuisine and culture with a broader audience, hence, the idea for La Canela was born. During the time we were looking for a space to lease, the Rockville Town Square was opening its first shops.
We were offered a spot on Gibbs Street, which at the time looked like a little more than a block of cement. Our intention was to build the restaurant as a replica of a traditional colonial house in Lima, adding to the ambiance and feeling of a family dining at home.
Our greatest wish is to share, with everyone who walks through our doors, a little piece of our beloved Perú.
