This post is my first endeavor in trying to bring you food I love, that was created in someone else's kitchen. I do love to cook though, and I hope to bring you more ideas for what to create in your kitchen, because one of my favourite parts of traveling is learning new recipes!
Snapshot
Quito is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. Nestled in a valley several thousand feet above sea level it's a mountain paradise with magnificent vistas of green hills and snow capped volcanoes. The valley's geography forces the city's sprawl exclusively northward and southward, so the city seems to stretch on forever.
Flavours
Quito is rich with comfort food staples like empanadas and stews, as well as refreshing dishes like shrimp ceviche (often served with popcorn) and a sweet and spicy sauce called Aji Tamarillo (I've seen it referred to as Aji Amarillo) which brings a perfect addition of flavor to many already savoury dishes. The tamarillo fruit is referred to as a "tree tomato" (no, seriously) in English, and brings a uniquely tart, but characteristically fruity, addition to the spice from the aji peppers. There's a great recipe for this sauce on Laylita's Recipes, which I highly recommend in general if you want to make delicious Ecuadorian dishes in your kitchen at home.
Restaurants
La Floresta; Along Restaurant Strip of Av. Isabela Catolicà
Order the Fish: Ceviche, Sea Bass; Pork; Lamb Stew.
Casa Nuestra specializes in traditional Ecuadorian fare. While it was quiet when were got there for late lunch on a Tuesday, it seems to be frequented by several tourists and tour groups alike. This may or may not deter you, but the quality and taste of the food make it worth it. We both had meat stews, and speak of the fish on recommendation. The waiters and staff were very kind, and they have both an English menu and English speaking staff. The prices were similar to what you'd pay in the US, which we noticed to be the trend throughout Ecuador. It was a great introduction for us into Ecuadorian cooking, especially the soul warming stews that seem to be prevalent in the cuisine.
Miskay
In Plaza Foch
Come for the Drinks and Apps- Vino Hervido, Canelazo; Ceviche; Empanadas
Miskay is highly recommended on Trip Advisor (I know, blamphemy), and you can easily see why since the area, the food and the staff are all a lot of fun. The restaurant is visible from the main square, Plaza Foch, but you actually need to walk around the north side of the building and go up a few sets of stairs to get to the restaurant. Once you get in, you're greeted by lively decor and a colourful atmosphere. We ordered some appetizers, empanadas and ceviche, which were both trio variations, and a great way to try different flavours. The drinks were really what made this place great. The Vino Hervido is a South American take on mulled wine - it's wine infused with cloves, cinnamon and citrus. While it's served warmed in a warm climate, it's surprisingly refreshing. Next in line was the Canelazo, also spiced with cinnamon, it uses juice from the naranjilla fruit to make a sweet, summery and refreshing drink. The fruity flavors are both delicious and a great coverup for how strong of a drink it actually is. We had such a great time, and got along so well with the staff that by the end of the night they had gifted us special pins for good luck!
URKO
La Floresta; Along Restaurant Strip of Av. Isabela Catolicàn La Floresta,
Come for whatever the kitchen is serving This has to be one of the best, most reasonably priced gastronomic restaurants I've been to ever. The restaurant prides itself on modern takes on classic ingredients, and seemed to make a concerted effort to source local and fresh produce and ingredients. Everything we ate here was above and beyond savoury and delicious. The food was created to contrast salty with sweet, crunchy with smooth, and it was hard to believe how creative the chefs got with typical ingredients like beef and avocado. The restaurant offers à la carte menu, as well as 6 course prix fixe on weekdays, and a 12 course prix fixe on Thursday through Sunday. The drink pairings are also miles above average with cocktails and mix drinks that were designed to go with your meals. I have not a single bad thing to say about URKO. The staff were polite, helpful, and the ambience was sophisticated but welcoming. I would have eaten here every day if I hadn't found it on our last night in town.
Cafe del Fraile
In Old Town
Come for Lamb Stew, Ceviche, Potato Soup, Tomato Soup, Empanadas Well located with something on the menu for everyone, this warm cafe in a beautifully architected atrium is a great place to stop when you're inevitably exploring the old town on your trip to Quito. All the food was very homey - stews, soups, empanadas - and very well done. It was a bit pricey, but given the quality of the food in a area filled with tourist traps, I'd say it was worth it. Also worthwhile to stop here for the clean bathrooms and enjoyable balcony seating.
Where to Stay
I stayed in the areas of Benalcazar, at the Sheraton, and La Colon, at the Swisshotel, with most of the excursions accessible within 45 minutes of our hotel. Both were lovely, clean, and had very helpful staff. The Swisshotel was a more central location, and I would recommend it to others visiting with the intent of exploring the city on foot. The Sheraton had a great view and fantastic food in the hotel, but we needed to take a car everywhere, which wasn't that bad because there's a slew of for hire cars out in the front roundabout waiting to take guests to their destinations.