Ecuador Info
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Posts: 16
Home Country: ecuador
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 Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:55 am Post subject: FOOD & DINING IN ECUADOR / ECUADOR DINING GUIDE |
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FOOD & DINING IN ECUADOR
GENERAL
Ecuador is well known for its abundance of a wide variety of exotic fruits, excellent fish and seafood and the countless varieties of Andean potatoes. Ecuador has some very tasty and very strange combinations in their dishes. You can expects to find some lemon marinated shrimps, toasted corn on the cob, and a huge variety of pastries filled with all types of different stuff.
If you are an adventurous eater, then Ecuador is the place for you, you can taste some roasted cuy (guinea pig), tronquito (bull penis soup) or yaguarlocro (potato soup made with sprinklings of blood). But for those of you who prefer eating the usual familiar foods, Ecuador has plenty tasty familiars.
Ecuadorians have a regular diet of rice, potatoes, and meat (beef and chicken can be found anywhere but pork is only found in the sierra). Most dishes in Ecuador is complimented by a traditional hot sauce called Aji. You will find Aji on almost every food table in restaurants and homes, each with its own intensity of 'picante', so taste a bit before you smother your food with it. In addition to Aji, most dishes are accompanied by rice, a small salad and potatoes or patacones (squashed, fried green bananas).
If you are planning on cooking, Ecuador has an abundance of street markets and stalls in major towns that sell a good assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables. These markets also sell exotic spices, and fresh picked herbs to make sauces, infusions and remedies. If your taste buds are longing for something fancy, not to worry, the bigger cities have some world-class delis and specialty stores.
Some dishes you will most likely find in most restaurants are: seco de pollo (a stew made of chicken, accompanied by rice and avocado slices), lomo salteado (thin beef steaks smothered in onions and tomatoes), and seco de chivo (goat stew served with a load of rice). At street vendors you are likely to find Tortillas de maiz (thin corn pancakes) and choclo (barbecued Andean corn), they make great snacks at any time of the day.
Most Ecuadorians prefer beer, and in second place rum. You can find almost any imported beer brand in Ecuador as well as some pretty good local brewed ones.
PLACES TO DINE IN QUITO
Quito now offers every kind of international cuisine in the New City. If you are in the Old City, expect more traditional Ecuadorian fare. During the week, most restaurants open for lunch and dinner, but at weekends most restaurants are closed Sunday evenings, and some on Saturday evenings too.
La Cueva del Oso
Located in the Old City, this restaurant has an art deco interior and lovely courtyard.
Edificio Perez Pallares, Chile 1046 y Venezuela (near Plaza de la Independencia)
Tel: (02) 2572786.
La Chimenea
A carniovre’s heaven – the place to go for meat… particularly good steaks.
Diaz de Pineda 545 y Pedro Dorada (just south of Old City)
Tel: (02) 2264287.
El Pajonal
Excellent Ecuadorian food with live music on Friday and Saturday nights when the restaurant stays open till 0200.
Homero Salas Oe5-69 y El Altar (near the airport)
Tel: (02) 2449816.
La Guardia del Coyote
A Mexican restaurant with live music.
Avenida Eloy Alfar E25-94 y Portugal.
Tel: (02) 2467882.
Tianguez
A cafe with craft shop attached.
Plaza de San Francisco
Tel: (02) 2954326. |
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