Chez Wong (Santa Catalina e/Enrique León García, Lima) – ceviche fans passing through Lima will likely be drawn to this modest restaurant, which is actually the home kitchen of its famed chef (and owner) Javier Wong. Even the sea urchin ceviche is said to be delicious. Wok-cooked dishes are also served there. Warning to first […]
Cerro Santa Ana (northern end of Malecón Simón Bolívar, Guayaquil) – for those passing through the coastal city of Guayaquil, this historic district is hard not to notice. The colorful wooden houses that dot this hilly area make this one of the prettiest parts of this city. If you come across cannons while visiting this […]
Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana (Av. 6 de Diciembre, Quito) — this institution (founded in 1944) is dedicated to the promotion, dissemination and preservation of multiculturalism in the country. It has within its facilities various museums, libraries, a radio & television station, a publishing house, a film library, conference rooms and temporary exhibition galleries. See […]
Mall del Sol (Av. Joaquín Orrantia y Constitución, Guayaquil) – opened in 1997, this was Guayaquil’s first major shopping center. It currently boasts nearly 300 retailers, a food court, as well as a nine-screen multiplex theater.
Centro Comercial Iñaquito (Av. Amazonas #36-152 y Naciones Unidas, Quito) – located within a financial district in the northern part of Quito, this shopping center has over 150 retailers (both regional and international brands – from Bulova to Fossil), along with a multiplex movie theater, and restaurants & fast food eateries (ranging from Tony Roma’s […]
Centro Comercial el Bosque (Av. Del Parque y Alonso de Torres, Quito) – located toward the westernmost part of Quito, this mall (opened in 1982) has over 400 retailers (mostly regional). El Bosque mall is known for holding various promotional events (especially during the holidays), in order to maintain its competitiveness against other Quito-area shopping […]
Centro Comercial el Condado (Av. Mariscal Sucre, Av. John F. Kennedy, Quito) – located in the northernmost part of Quito, this shopping mall was opened in 2007 and now has some 180 retailers (mainly local & regional brands – along with some international ones, like Adidas, Casio, Converse, Lee, and Puma). There’s also an “iStore” […]
Tierra Mia (Av. Rodrigo de Chavez OE4 -18 y Av. Mariscal Sucre, Quito) – located in the south Quito district of La Mascota, this nightspot often books live Latin music acts (from Salsa to folkloric artists), and caters to a more mature crowd (30 and over).
Siete (República 476 y Pradera, Av. de la República Quito) – originally known as “Blues”, this venue plays electronic dance and House music (which tend to appeal to Ecuador’s upper & middle class college student types). Crowds come here as late as 3:00 am (making this one of the few “after hours” nightspots in Quito).
Central Restaurante (Santa Isabel 376, Miraflores, Lima) – this restaurant, launched by famed Lima chef and restaurant owner Virgilio Martínez, serves a variety of dishes (using both local and international ingredients – including vegetables, herbs & spices grown at the restaurant’s very own garden), with a menu that changes six times a year. Such ingredients […]