Some Good Finds in Imbabura - Continually Updated - Atuntaqui, Ecuador
Atuntaqui, Ecuador
If the places are excellent, I give them a few stars.
The link below is a collection of my own recipes that I needed to come up with since moving to Ecuador from Southern Colorado, just to be able to enjoy some of our personal favorites, the way we enjoy them -- such as Carne Adobada, Stacked Enchiladas, and Green Chili, to name a few. I'm working on other recipes, as I think of them, for some of the foods that we miss having here. Guess I'm very much like my deceased sister Terry, who liked to write, cook, decorate, and like the rest of us -- eat good food!
http://cookingfoodsfromhomeinecuador.bl ogspot.com/
IBARRA
--Casa Oriente,
Jose Ledro y Atahualpa, Downtown Ibarra. This is an elegant and excellent Chinese Restaurant. The meals are very large and everything tasted fresh, from the Shrimp Apanada, the Chicken & Vegetables with a fresh ginger taste, the fried Corvina, the Chicken Agridulce (Sweet & Sour Chicken), and the Egg Rolls. The four of us agreed that we would definitely go there again..
--Naturaliza y Salue, Centro de Distribucion Autorizado for Nature's Sunshine Products. Calle Rocafuerte 7-95 y Pedro Moncayo. When you purchase a minimum of $100.00 (just a one-time purchase) you will receive a membership. Thereafter you are entitled to a substantial discount. We were quoted 30%. There are other distributors in the area, but we believe that they all buy from this location.
***--La Hacienda Cafe Delicatessen, Corner of Av. Sucre y Miguel Oviedo (same building as the tourist office, A very quaint and rustic espresso shop/restaurant. Our Americano and Cappuccino were excellent, as well as their Chocolate Mousse. The beef empanadas were also good. They sell other goodies to go with your coffee, plus they have a full menu, serving breakfast and lunch. Its a nice little place to relax and just hang out for a while.http://www.touribarra.gob.ec/inde x.php?option=com_content&view=artic le&id=188%3Ala-haciendacafe-delicat essen&catid=31%3Arestaurantes&I temid=119&lang=es
**--PC Tools, Juan Jose Flores y Av. Mariano Acosta 15-95
They fixed our Epson printer and had it running beautifully the same day. The guy knew what he was doing; he was honest and the price was fair.
Ch Farina, in the SuperMaxi Plaza, has an ongoing good lunch deal. For $3.99 we each got a chicken salad, an individual pizza (20 cm--equivalent to 2 slices) with our choice of 2 toppings-besides the cheese, a medium drink, and two small scoops of ice-cream with a bit of chocolate sauce & cherry on top. However, there is a list of things to choose from in each category -- From the Entrada list: You choose either the traditional salad, the chicken salad, the chicken wings (2), the garlic bread, or the minestrone. From the Platos Fuerte list: You then choose either the individual pizza, the beef lasagna (which looked good, btw), or a spaghetti dish with either the chicken or beef sauce, And then there's your choice of drink and dessert. A great deal for just $3.99 and the pizza is pretty good.
Besides that deal, they have a two for one medium pizza offer, which proved to be a good bargain on another day, as the two of us couldn't even touch the 2nd pizza, but had to bring it home.
--La Casa Del Congrejo
Sucre y Guerrero
A gringo friend highly recommended this seafood restaurant, and now I am. The plates all start at around $10.00 but can easily be split between two people. My friend and I split a meal two ways, and there was still plenty left over to take home to Fred. Maybe we just weren't hungry enough that day? Either way, go with an appetite. And the locals evidently love this restaurant as well, because it was busy! Musicians pop in at various times to entertain who make their living, apparently, from tips. Anyway, if you like seafood, this is a good one. The huge shrimp was delicious and so were the beans in a tasty sauce..Update: Fred and I went back and split the #6 -- The plate was loaded with large shrimp cooked 3 different ways, fried corvina, a small shrimp ceviche, plantains, and a side dish of beans and rice. Where in the States can you get a plate full of large shrimp for $12.00/person? --actually $6.00 since we split it.
***--Hong Kong Market, Fray Vacas Galindo y Mariano Acosta (Across from the Grand Aki) For imported Chinese goods, etc, such as good egg roll wraps (large and small), good wasabi, great chili oil, Hoisin sauce, an awesome imported hot chili salsa with peanuts, sushi wraps, etc. etc. We bought a very large (commercial) steel wok for $12.00 (I love it), they also have a commercial one with a single long handle for around $27.00. Although, they do sell small woks for the home use for around $12.00 also. Nice little store and Carlos (the owner) speaks English. Tel: 062604546. He opens up at 10:00 am.
--We like this spice shop, 1-36 Juan Francisco Cevallos y Obispo Ceasar Mosquera
This is where we buy our spices by the weight. We bought a half-pound of ground ginger for $2.50. Some spices may not be listed. They also sell nuts by the pound, like peanuts for $2.00/lb.
--A door or two down at 1-26 Juan Francisco Cevallos y Obispo Ceasar Mosquera is where we like to buy our milk because it is only pasteurized, but professionally packaged the same as all the rest, however, they also sell the ultra-pasteurized stuff in a separate refrigerator. We also buy a Kilo (2.2 lbs.) of butter for $5.00. Her peanuts by the pound are a little fresher and a good price as well.
Sour Cream: She also sells really thick cream (she labels it just crema de leche) in clear unmarked plastic bags (a liter or less). She claims it is fresher and unpasteurized. Most times it has the consistency of sour cream (crema de leche agria), as it is not pourable most times, just scoopable, so we have used it as sour cream in cooking - works great.
--and for those of you who love peanut butter: I read about a couple who decided not to move to Ecuador. One of their big deciding factors was how more expensive peanut butter is in this country. And two of our friends who love it, do not buy it for the same reason. The Schullo brand - 490 g jar - sells at SuperMaxi for just under $6.00, however, if you own a Champion Juicer, for instance, you can easily make your own, adding your own salt, and just about fill up that 490 g jar for $2.00. We do, ending up with the best peanut butter. Fred now eats it more than me, and he never ate peanut butter in the past.
(For almonds at $5.23 per pound, we go to the MI TIO store nearby at Av. Eugenio Espejo 4-70 y Teodoro Gomez, a block from the bus terminal, across the RR tracks ).
Wednesday/Thursday are seafood days at the Ibarra Market. Fresh shrimp, flounder, tilapia, etc., etc.. We like dealing with the lady at booth #375, but all vendors should clean and devein the shrimp, or clean and filet the fish for you free of charge.
And all the stores above are close together in the market area, real close to the Grand Aki.
FYI: we are extremely happy with the butchers at the markets. We usually buy from vendors who have refrigeration, although that does not mean we do not buy meat that is sitting out, because most of the meats and chickens do sit out once the vendors open for business. Not to mention, we've seen much of the chickens and meats arrive by the truckloads early, anyway. We just make sure we go early enough in the morning at around 8 or 9 am to guarantee freshness and have had absolutely no problems.
As far as ground beef is concerned, we much prefer to choose a cut of meat to our liking and have the butcher grind it fresh in front of us, rather than buy the ground beef at SuperMaxi or Grand Aki, etc.
--Cafe Excelso
In the bus terminal in Ibarra, at a small corner spot, we buy our coffee by the pound. (This is not a coffee shop). The coffee they sell is called Cafe' Excelso. A nice roast & very good. The price, as of now, is $5.50 per 450 g.
--La Parrilla del Tio Jessy
If you ever spot this restaurant -- try it! There are a couple in Ibarra, and at least one in Otavalo. Good place for grilled meats, chicken, sausages, and grilled burgers, etc.
***--Olor a Cafe
"La Casa de la Ibarrenidad"
Boliva y Flores Esq .
Tel: 06 2954505 -- The owner is Ginger, born in Montana, but raised in Ibarra. She speaks good English. This is a real nice coffee shop. The cheesecakes and pastries looked good. The Americano was made from a nice dark roast from the Galapagos. They have other coffees from Intag. Lots of books are on display. A nice place to hang out. It also has a higher-end restaurant, which has plenty of seating in the beautiful indoor courtyard -- meals are around $10.50.
--the Mora Syrup
In Ibarra, they make a Mora (Blackberry) Syrup that is delicious. Just a few blocks from the coffee shop Olor a Cafe (above), there is a building that literally looks like a large castle. In front of that building vendors are lined up selling the various syrups. PS: No preservatives.
--Helados Rosalia Suarez
Corner of José Joaquin de Olmedo y Miguel Oviedo
This is a famous ice cream shop(s) where you can watch ice cream made the traditional way. --This place was in a visiting friend's guide book, and kinda fun to see how they make it by hand, using a heavy brass pot (paila) they spin on ice.
--IMBAVET Clinica Veterinaria
Juan de la Roca 2-84 y Dario Egas Grijalva Esq. (Pilanqui)
Tel: (06) 2606 517 Cell: 0999 815 466
They also do dog grooming. The Vet speaks some English, however, his wife speaks it well. He's a good vet.
--Dr. Martha Chavez C.-- an OB/GYN--mentioning her because she speaks halfway decent English. In Clinica Ibarra, Heleodoro Ayala 1-10 y Jorge Davila Meza (Parque Chile)
However, I would really like to recommend this other doctor in Quito, his website is below:
http://www.gynemedicorp.com/gynemedicor ping/nosotros.html
ATUNTAQUI
****--Quesos de Montana Yanayacu, Santa Fe 5 C.C. - Finca Yanayacu, Atuntaqui
For real Swiss style cheeses and raw milk from Jersey cows.
Contact number: Patricia Hidrobo 0991920487 (she speaks English). You absolutely must call first for an appointment.
A cheese-maker from Switzerland stayed here for 6 months and taught the family how to make Swiss style cheeses. After he studied what the cows were eating, he then said, 'okay, these are the cheeses you can make.......' Well, their cheeses are quite excellent. Also, the Ecuadorians love this very soft cheese called Fresca, so the family asked the cheese-maker if they could craft that cheese as well. His response was - "that's not cheese!". We agree. However, in the end, he did come up with a formula for a nice Fresca cheese, better then any you'll find in the grocery stores or markets.
--El Molinete
Bolivar y Calle 2 de Marzo
A nice little restaurant and coffee shop. The only downside--they're only open in the evenings.They have a large commercial espresso machine. They make Frappucinos. I favor their milkshakes. We go there for the burgers (the Neapolitan) and fries --around $4.00. On Sundays only, they serve lasagna. They serve liquor and beer as well. One beer is a German import -- $7.00 for a small bottle. They also make their version of a Greek salad - no feta cheese, but plenty of some local cheese and lots of green olives that we've split to make a side salad.
--But for some fried chicken, everyone recommends Klippers. It's not greasy, in fact, I like it. Hey, for $1,89 you can get a rather large piece of chicken and lots of fries. There are four locations -- one in Cotacachi.
--for Ice cream
On the corner of Calle Espejo y General Entriquez
There are many ice cream shops in Atuntaqui but this place is one of our favorites. The chocolate ice cream is really good. We also think they serve the best fresh fruit salad covered with lots of cream, a little syrup, a scoop of your choice of ice cream, a wafer cookie, and, believe it or not, a lite shredded cheese that looks like coconut flakes--$1.50. It's refreshing, and makes a nice lite lunch too.
--El Polar
On Calle Amazones, one or two blocks from the park, on the right side. Their own hand-made ice cream is good and creamy. The Mora, the Chocolate with chocolate bits inside, as well as their soft-serve ice cream are muy bueno!
COTACACHI
****--Bhakti Restaurante Vegetariano Vegano, Av. 10 de Agosto y Tarqui, 1.5 blocks from San Francisco Park. Great food! The flavors are incredible and we walk out very full. Decided to try the Lunch of the Day instead of choosing from the menu -- awesome. It consisted of a large delicious bowl of lentil soup; mint tea; a baked and quite large & thick potato cake with vegetables, a side dish of cooked white pumpkin cubes with peas and red peppers; along with a large carrot & celery salad topped with steamed red beets. For dessert we ordered the apple tart. All of it was excellent, including the ginger sauce that came with our meal and tasted great in the lentil soup, and on the salad. The meal was $3.50 without the dessert and was a lot of food. They offer breakfast, different daily lunches, specials, natural products - like Tahini & more. www.bhaktivegan.blogspot.com (Google will translate this into English, if you wish).
--Finca Organica
Mostly every Thursday at about 2:00 pm this farm sells organic fruits and vegetables just outside of Cotacachi. English speaking. Get on their email list for what will be available each week.
--La Parrilla de Alberto, at the bus terminal, in the food court. Their drinks really are gringo-cold. We had a heck of a burger with fries for only $2.50.
**--Creaciones Gilmar (Leather Goods for J.W.)
Esmeraldas 12-22 y 9 de Octubre (Esmeraldas is off of "Leather" Street)
A family in Cotacachi makes leather bible covers, and lots of stuff for the ministry. Heard they sell to two companies in the States, but you can't beat the prices here. This place is in a residential area, so ring the bell.
--Solid Rock Cafe
"Leather Street", near bus terminal.
The food is good and so's the brewed coffee -- free refills. They have an American style breakfast. The cobblers, which they make from time to time, are excellent.
There are a number of gringo hangouts in Cotacachi that are good (Serendipity & Trebol), but we always seem to gravitate to this one.
**--Cafe Rio Intag
This is the coffee roaster in town. His drinks are very good. Expect some latte art, which is a good indication that the shot was pulled correctly, and the milk was steamed correctly as well. And yes, (LOL) we are coffee snobs, as we use to teach this stuff for a living. His cafe and roaster are pictured below. The coffee is advertised as organic, and he was trained to roast in Italy, where he also purchased his machine. However, we do prefer to get our coffee by the pound in Ibarra -- see above.
--Taco Bello (see below) serves a popular all-you-can-eat buffet on Fridays, from 3pm to 9pm at 10 de Agosto y Pedro Moncayo for $5.00.
OTAVALO
--Taco Bello
Bolivar y Mejia 5-23
This place was recommended by visiting friends from Durango, CO, so we tried it. Although the Mexican food is nowhere near as good as in the States, it's decent enough to come again. I got the enchiladas, Fred got the burrito (rice and beans included) and those meals included a plate of nachos--their version--along with a healthy portion of freshly made guacamole. Their tortilla chips are homemade and good. After Fred tasted my margarita he decided to order one himself -- and he never orders that drink! It was gringo-cold and just right. Then after our meals came, we were served a 2nd bowl of that good guacamole. A friendly place, and the entire bill came out to $12.50. --We went again and for four people the bill came out to $22.50 -- three of us had a margarita and one had a large beer. I happen to really like his margaritas.
--Pizzeria Oskar
Principal: Avenida Quito y Vincente Ramon Roco
Sucursal 1: Sucre (entre Morales y Salinas
This is a pizza chain, as there is one in Cotacachi and Atuntaqui also.
This place serves up very large individual slices of thin pizza, along with a small coke, starting at $1.25 per slice and up to $2.25 per slice, depending on the toppings. Pepperoni is $1.25, so is the mushroom. The crust was thin and crisp, (except when we got the supreme one day - a little soggy). Anyway, the pizza is a little different, it can have a slight sweetness to it, and worth the price.
--Cviche 593 (Ceviche 593)
Simon Bolivar y Jose Joaqquin Olmedo
A small, colorful & cute Cevicheria. The fried shrimp with it's dipping sauce was delicious. Our shrimp took a while to come out, but it was worth the wait. We're willing to go back and try their other seafood dishes.
A helpful website for restaurants and things to see:
http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-a merica/ecuador/andean-highlands/norther n-andes/