Zazu restaurant, a Relais and Chateaux property, is probably one of Quito’s best fine dining experiences. We were pleasantly surprised how sleek and elegant the dining room was, as was the sophisticated clientele. Opened in 2007, it is now under Ecuadorian Chef Wilson Alpala, who trained in France. The establishment offers tasting menus as well as a la carte choices.
I tried a local stone crab with olive oil, and lime juice that was quite good if I didn’t know what Joe’s tasted like. The octopus dish was tender and done with a cilantro cream, toasted corn tortillas, lemon and chives. The prawns were large and sweet, served with a peanut salprieta, and a shrimp-plantain pot au feu. The ceviche, Ecuadorian style, was made with shrimp, calamari, octopus, onion, ahi Amarillo, lemon and sweet potatoes.

The chef showcased the best of Ecuadorian cuisine and the service was on par of any cosmopolitan city.

The wine cellar is a round, glass, 25 foot enclosed tower. The restaurant seats 70, which also has an upstairs, sexy patio, and a private dining room. We spent $116 for two for a gastronomic meal, which is cheap by North American standards. The tasting menu was $70 a person, also very reasonable.

This is a good bet for dining in Quito. You will be treated to a creative, contemporary Ecuadorian food, based on local ingredients, and Latin American influences. Chef Alpala works closely with farmers, grows vegetables in the restaurant’s greenhouses and selects his seafood from the nearby coast. Dining in a modern setting with quality ingredients and refined service. One of Quito’s top choices.

Recommend.

Happy dining,
Shanea

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