When it is time to eat in Quito there are an incredible number of restaurant options in both New Town and Old Town. Here we will discuss two extremes, both in the Colonial area - and both very good.
Cafeteria "Emanuel"
Cafeteria Emanuel is small restaurant that serves up great breakfasts and lunches. It is the type place I have always called a really good "Hole in the Wall", which from me is a high compliment.
Menu on the Wall - What You See is What You Get
Full Breakfasts run from $1.50 to $2.00, including eggs, cheese toast, rice, meat, bread, coffee and fresh squeezed juice. A full lunch of Seco de Carne or Seco de Pollo (Stewed Meat or Stewed Chicken) is $2.00 and $2.50; this includes rice, salad, tomato, avocado and a coke. Seco is a typical Ecuadorian dish; the meat is stewed until tender in a sauce of vegetables and spices and served covered in the sauce.
Breakfast Underway at Emanuel
Cafateria Emanuel is located at the corner of Venezuela and Manabi. Propietario Wilson Morales will make you feel welcome.
Wilson Morales with a Gringo Who Looks Like He has had Enough Breakfast
Don Colon is a new upscale restaurant in the Historic center of Quito. It is located on Calle Espejo, a pedestrian street between Guayaquil and Flores. It is a roof top restaurant with an incredible panoramic view of Quito. It is in a large old building that has been completely renovated into shops and offices. A glass enclosed elevator takes you up to the restaurant. You can dine inside or out on the patio - either way you enjoy a great view of Colonial Quito.
The owner is, of course, Don Colon. He is originally from Ecuador but has spent most of his life the restaurant business in the US enjoying great success as both a chef and owner. He had always dreamed of returning to Ecuador someday to open a restaurant.
Don Colon and Dalynda
Every item in the menu has Colon's special gourmet touch. Dalynda and I had the lightly battered Calamari as a starter and a beaitiful sea bass entre - well prepared and well presented. We had a couple of Colon's special Pina Coladas, and wine with dinner. A beautiful meal in a beautiful restaurant overlooking a beautiful city - what more can I say. Well, I can say that it cost much less than a night out in the US at a standard TGI Friday's or Applebee's. And we had the pleasure of spending time with Don Colon himself.
Quito - A Great Place to Eat
From "Hole in the Wall" to "Gourmet Delight", to everything in between, Quito is a great place to eat out.
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