Quito & Vicinity - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 110

Sake , 2-2524-818, at Paul Rivet and Eduardo Whimper. It was

opened by the former sushi chef fromTanoshii, and has a great atmo-
sphere and tasty food.

Having grown up in southern California, I am, admittedly, a Mexi-
can-food snob. Therefore, I find that the options for goodMexican food
inQuito, and Ecuador in general, are somewhat lacking. A fewdecent
places have sprung up in the last few years, but most of them resem-
ble AmericanizedMexican-food establishments, or “Tex-Mex” joints.

El Sabor Mexicano , at Reina Victoria and 18 de Septiembre, is
fairly authentic, with good food and live mariachi bands on the week-
ends. Prices are moderate. Across the street is Tex-Mex ,

2-2552-
790, a less expensive, American-style restaurant. I could not bring
myself to eat there, although it looked fine. Try LaGuarida del Coy-
ote , Carrión 619 and Amazonas. It's moderately priced (around $10)
and has been around longer than the other Mexican restaurants. The
best Mexican food and margaritas are at Red Hot Chilli Peppers ,
on the corner of Foch and Juan León Mera. Try the sizzling chicken
fajitas or the tasty (but proportionately small) nachos while you're
reading many years worth of travelers' wisdom written all over the
walls. This is also the place to go for a big-screen American football
game. The restaurant is very small, however, and they're closed on
Sundays.

Outside town, near the entrance to El Mitad del Mundo,

Equinoccio , 2-2394-741, is a popular and relatively expensive res-

taurant that provides live music in addition to good food. Tour groups
visiting the equatorial monument often eat lunch here.

Entertainment,
Nightlife & Shopping

Nightspots
WhileQuito is no Río de Janeiro, there is plenty to do in the
evening, and you're unlikely to become bored very easily,
as long as you're willing to get out and about. Many of the
popular night spots are concentrated around the Mariscal
Sucre area.