From north to south along the western half of South America, Peru, Chile and Argentina share many of the same culinary influences, colonial and otherwise. A historical legacy leaves the neighboring countries with many of the same staples, such as rice, beans, plantains, and a penchant for rich, spicy flavors, but geography also colors the points where each nation's eats diverge. As might be expected in a region stretching nearly half a hemisphere, the signature dishes of each country put a unique stamp on the eating traditions of South American food, whether it is a classic gaucho steak from the highlands of Argentina or sea urchins culled from the waters off the Chilean coast.

Los Angeles' thriving Peruvian, Chilean and Argentinean communities provide scores of great restaurants across the city. Below are three to wet your appetite, which highlight some of the similarities and delicious differences within the region.

Peruvian: Los Balcones del Peru (323-871-9600, 1360 Vine St Los Angeles, 90028):

A sparse, intimate restaurant in the shadow of the Arclight, Los Balcones makes one of the best date restaurants in the city. The ceviches are unparalleled, mixing in shrimp, octopus and squid. You can get a good steak (try it chorillana style for some onion kick) but the fish dishes are the real highlight. There's the Peruvian style paella or the Cau-Cau de Mariscos, a collection of shellfish cooked with peas and potatoes. Excellent service makes this a can't-miss.

Argentinean: Gaucho Grill (gauchogrillrestaurant.com):

With seven locations in the Los Angeles area, Gaucho Grill could be called a chain restaurant but it delivers great steaks at very reasonable prices. The result is a place you probably wouldn't take a visiting Argentinean diplomat to, but makes a great spot for casual dining in L.A.'s hotspots while still delivering authentic Argentinean flavors. As the name implies, the grill is king here, so don't miss the big steak paired with a glass of hearty Argentinean red.

Chilean: Rincon Chileno (323-666-6075, 4354 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90029):

Operating for 35 years, this is the stalwart of Los Angeles' relatively small number of Chilean restaurants. Its reputation is widespread, so expect crowds on weekends. The empanadas are the signature item and your experience here won't be complete without them, but there is a wide variety of steak, chicken and seafood dishes. Another specialty is the Pastel de Choclo, a chicken, beef and olive filled cornmeal pie.

Written by: Chris Boyd