We had a free Sunday afternoon in Quito while waiting for our Avianca flight to Puerto Rico (by way of Bogota) and so decided to try brunch at the famous hotel Casa Gangotena. I am glad we did.
Our car dropped us off at the side entrance to the hotel due to ongoing construction in the Plaza San Francisco and we entered through a beautiful little side garden. The dust and commotion of the streets began melting away almost the moment we entered and we began anticipating our meal in earnest.
The garden entrance to the hotel Casa Gangotena. As soon as we entered, the dust and noise from the street seemed to melt away.
We were guided to a lovely dining area where the brunch buffet was ready and waiting. Noon is a little early for lunch in Ecuador so we had our choice of where to sit and selected a corner table. Our first impressions were of the beautiful room and the friendly, professional staff.
A partial view of the restaurant brunch area
Another view of the restaurant brunch area
Two of the restaurant tables
The windows were custom made by Cuenca-based stained glass artist Tonino
Appetizer plates were the first order of business. We elected to try the ceviche and two other, rather original dishes. One was grated beets and cabbage tossed in sesame oil. The second was a mix of haba beans, citrus (tangerine, possibly) supremes and lightly grilled peach. All were delicious. There was also a good selection of breads and fresh fruit as well.
Ceviche appetizer
Appetizers. Left: shredded beets and cabbage in sesame oil, right: haba beans with citrus supremes and grilled peaches
Just as we were getting serious about our appetizers, our complementary pink mimosas arrived.
A complementary pink mimosa
The buffet for the main course contained a number of interesting selections, which included fish, chicken in a light rosemary sauce and beef roasted with martiños, a wild Andean blueberry. The meat was tender with a mild blueberry flavor. A helpful staff member, fluent in English, stood behind the buffet to show us the various dishes and tell us about some of the native Ecuadoran foods. Standard breakfast items, such as pancakes, were also available.
Selections from the brunch main course buffet which included rice, bread, fish, chicken in a mild rosemary sauce and beef roasted with wild Andean blueberries (martiños)
We began chatting with chef Pablo as we surveyed the tempting dessert tray. After a few questions, he told us the desserts were not really his department and sent back to the kitchen for the pastry chef who came out and explained the various pastries to us. One got the impression that the staff had little to do except attend to us and answer our questions.
Pastry selection. Of the six pastries offered, I chose only four. No doubt you are marveling at my iron-willed self control!
Selection of pastries. Clockwise from the upper left: carrot cake with a caramel tuile, brownie with cream cheese icing, chocolate ganache covered with a light chocolate foam and a pastry with alternating layers of chocolate and coffee.
Our pleasant chat with chef Pablo continued and he suggested, as if the pastries were not enough, that we try the waffles.
Waffles Chef Pablo prepared for us. The waffles were so light and airy they nearly floated off the plate.
The waffles he prepared were so tempting that we could not resist trying them. They were covered with caramel and chocolate sauces as well as fresh and dried fruit and nuts. A perfect, if self indulgent, end to a very enjoyable brunch. I highly recommend you consider the brunch at hotel Casa Gangotena if you find yourself near the San Francisco Plaza in Quito on a Sunday. The food is very good, the service is terrific and, at about $39 per person, it is quite reasonably priced.
More information at Casa Gangotena can be found here at their website.
Some ideas for things to do while visiting Quito may be found at Quito.com.
Leave a Reply