New restaurant in Otavalo (G & M)
Julian and I had such an incredible meal at a new restaurant in Otavalo that I felt I just had to pass it on. This restaurant is called “G & M” and is located just a short walk away from the bus station. When leaving the bus station, take a right on Bolivar instead of walking up into town and the restaurant is located on your left, right before the roundabout with the statue of the three dancing indigenous. Directly across the street from the restaurant is a little shop that sells chocolate covered strawberries, etc.. The chef is a graduate of a culinary institute and she completely blew me away with her medley of spices and she obviously has great instinct about food. We ate there with some friends at their recommendation after they had discovered the place merely by chance. We were absolutely thrilled to find a place that is Ecuadorian owned, but offers something new and completely different from so many other places. I had a filet mignon (two small medallions wrapped in bacon with a touch of mushroom sauce) and it was some of the best beef I’ve tasted in Ecuador. Julian had garlic shrimp with a sauce that was to die for and absolutely the tastiest rice ever. She had mixed a creamy cheese sauce in with the rice. My friend had some fish with a mustard sauce that was also heavenly. She also offers beef cooked in a red wine sauce…I think that’s next on the list to try. The menu also includes quite a few rather sophisticated choices. And get this….the main course runs from $4.00 to $4.50. I cannot see how they can charge so little for such elegant fare. The restaurant is small and the food didn’t come quickly, but I think you’ll find it worth the wait…if you can stand the torture of the delicious smells coming out of the kitchen. This place is a gem of a find and I encourage other folks to stop by and give it a chance!
Warmest Regards,
Casandra McClellan