Ecuador Restaurant

A group of friends decided to try this restaurant out since we are experts in busting down Ecuadorian cuisine. (Living there two years sure did the trick!) If you are into ambiance and superficiality this place ain't for you; stick to the downtown area. However, if you are crazy about warm patacones, large, affordable- platos fuertes, friendly staff (and customers) and BYOB, then this is where you need to be when you are craving Ecuadorian food. My caldo de bolas was amazing! My only regret was not ordering Inca Kola :D
So go enjoy the food, interact with the people and who knows? A dance party may break out! ¡Buen provecho!

If you're craving authentic Ecuadorian food combined with its splendid hospitality as well as culture, this is the place to go!    As described  in the prior post by my companera, Theresa,  our group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (Ecuador, '07-'09) were craving some serious Ecuadorian food.  The restaurant exceeded all of our expectations, which you can imagine would be high, living- and integrating in Ecuadorian culture for 2 years. The menu catered to all regions of Ecuador (e.g., Costa, Sierra, Oriente), serving Ecuadorian food which typically is a rarity to find in the U.S., such as choclo, guatita, humitas, llapingachos, patacones, among others.  The serving portion was identical to what you find in the local eateries of Ecuador - bastante.

What added more to the experience, was the ambiance of the restaurant and hospitality of the owner, workers, as well as gente eating at the restaurant.  As per typical Peace Corps mentality, our group quickly began to chat with others at the restaurant, sharing our experiences as well as better understanding those of our hosts.  All of these converstaions was with an eclectic blend of latin music in the background, setting the stage for a post-dinner dance party in the restaurant.  Our group, along with others in the restaurant danced to classical Ecuadorian songs, such as "Mi lindo Ecuador" and "Caraguay".  Needless to say, this was a memorable night for all of us who cherished our Ecuadorian experience as Peace Corps Volunteers.

Thanks again, Ecuador Restaurant!  Fabulous food, people, and culture!

Had I not been to Ecuador Restaurant for a party, I probably would have walked right past it.  That would have been a HUGE mistake!

When we arrived the staff was so nice and friendly.  It's BYOB and they brought out glasses right away and got drinks for those non-alcoholics in the group.  

First up, appetizers.  Like I said, I was there with a party.  We each ordered a different appetizer.  I had the Bolon De Verde (plantain with pork skin).  It was basically mashed plantains formed into a log with bits of crispy thick cut pork rinds in it.  If it had a sauce, a mojo, salsa, something, it would have been wonderful but alone, it was too dry!  The highlight of appetizers were the Papa Rellena (stuffed potato with meat) and the Ayacas ( tamale with chicken).  Both were amazingly flavorful and so good that I could have ordered two as my main dish and been satisfied.  

For dinner We did the same thing.  I ordered the Seco de chivo (Goat Stew).  OMG!  It was amazing.  Flavorful sauce that coated this tender goat served on the bone.  I just wanted to pick it up and suck on it.  The plantains were nicely cooked and the yellow rice a perfect combo.  I brought half of it home and had it for breakfast the next day.  I couldn't even wait for lunchtime to have it!  Some other highlights were the Llapingacho which is a weird combination of steak, a fried egg and a peanut sauce that surprisingly work well together.  A few people ordered it and loved it.  The Arroz con Mariscos was stuffed to the brim with Sea Food!  Usually when something is described to have shrimp and muscles and crab and scallops and everything else under the sea in it, you get maybe two of everything.  Not with this dish.  There was tons of seafood.    The Pescado Frito was amazing as well. I'm a sucker for a whole fried fish, but this one came with these picked onions on top and those along with the crispy plantains was so tasty.  The fish itself was moist and flaky.  

Hmmm... This makes me want to go back right now.  If you haven't been, Good!  Stay away!  It's mine!