Category: miscellanea

All sorts of things.

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Quito’s Culinary Gems and the Unforgettable Casa Gangotena Experience

Cocina Mestiza food at the restaurant Casa Gangotena.

Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is a city flourishing with culinary wonders. Nestled high in the Andes, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a magnificent blend of traditional and modern cuisine that captivates the palate and the imagination. For travel enthusiasts, local diners, and foodies, Quito’s restaurant scene is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Among these gems, Casa Gangotena stands out with its unique “cocina mestiza,” a culinary approach that blends the rich flavors of Ecuadorian traditions with contemporary techniques. The restaurant at Casa Gangotena is a must-visit, the unforgettable dining experience it offers, and tips to make your visit memorable.

Casa Gangotena is one of the top ten Quito restaurants

Understanding “Cocina Mestiza” at Casa Gangotena

A visit to Casa Gangotena is an immersion into “cocina mestiza,” which translates to “mixed cuisine.” This culinary concept reinterprets traditional Ecuadorian dishes using fresh, local ingredients combined with modern culinary techniques. The result is a menu that tells the story of Ecuador’s diverse culture and heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary cuisine.

The Ambiance at Casa Gangotena

Located in the heart of Quito’s Old Town, Casa Gangotena combines historic charm with modern elegance. The restaurant occupies a beautifully restored colonial mansion, featuring a stunning rooftop terrace with panoramic views, a tranquil garden, and a sophisticated bar. Each space within Casa Gangotena is designed to offer a unique ambiance, making it an ideal setting for any occasion.

If you’re looking for panoramic views, the terrace on the third floor is perfect for enjoying tea, coffee, cocktails or wine while looking out over the iconic churches of the Centro Histórico. And if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, the walled garden is a serene sanctuary where you can relax and contemplate life among native trees and flowers.

Ambiance at the reataurant Casa Gangotena.

Exceptional Service and Hospitality

One of the hallmarks of Casa Gangotena is its commitment to providing exceptional service. From the moment you step through the door, you are greeted with warmth and professionalism. The staff ensures that every guest feels welcomed and taken care of, offering personalized attention that enhances the overall dining experience. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, the hospitality at Casa Gangotena makes you feel like part of a community.

Menu Highlights at Casa Gangotena

The menu of Restaurant Casa Gangotena offers a diverse selection of dishes that highlight Ecuadorian gastronomy. The cuisine is described as a fusion of ingredients from Ecuador’s varied ecosystems, including the Andes, Amazon, Pacific, and the Galápagos Islands. Their approach honors ancestral traditions while incorporating modern, avant-garde techniques.

Casa Gangotena offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, late night meals and drinks. They also offer a Tasting Menu called “An Ode to Ecuador”, which features a curated culinary journey through the country’s diverse landscapes and flavors, including dishes like octopus carpaccio, skirt steak, and duck magret.

Apart from regular meals or drinks, you can enjoy their version of a high tea, known as “Café Quiteño”.

In addition, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available throughout the menu.
This menu showcases a creative interpretation of Ecuador’s diverse ingredients and culinary heritage, with an emphasis on high-quality local products.

Appetizers

Start your meal with the Ecuadorian Empanadas, a trio of delights including morocho corn and pork, green plantain with shrimp, and fresh cheese-filled empanadas. Another must-try is the Locro Quiteño, a traditional potato soup adorned with avocado and pork rinds.

Main Courses

For the main course, the Gangotena-Style Hornado, featuring slow-roasted pork with potato patties and cheese, is a standout. Seafood lovers will enjoy the Bluefin Tuna with a Chulpi Corn Crust, accompanied by beets and taxo, a tropical fruit. The Serrano Duck with Apple Purée is another exquisite option, served with fennel confit and port demi-glace.

Ceviches

Casa Gangotena’s Manabita Ceviche is a coastal-style dish that combines fish, peanuts, avocado, and a tangy Manabita sauce, offering a refreshing and flavorful experience.

Desserts

Finish your meal with the Fine Aroma Chocolate dessert, a decadent treat paired with raspberry, cream cheese, and cacao nib caramel. The Papaya Heart with Tonka Bean, featuring coconut mousse and citrus flavors, is another delightful choice.

Friends enjoying food and drinks at the restaurant Casa Gangotena terraceñ

A Culinary Journey Worth Taking

In a city brimming with culinary treasures, Casa Gangotena stands out as a beacon of innovation and tradition. Its unique “cocina mestiza” offers a dining experience that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in Ecuadorian heritage. With exceptional service, a captivating ambiance, and a menu that delights the senses, Casa Gangotena is a must-visit for travel enthusiasts, local diners, and foodies alike. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this culinary gem—book your reservation today and discover the magic of Casa Gangotena.

Best Times to Visit for a Memorable Experience

The restaurant is busiest during weekends, so if you prefer a quieter dining experience, try visiting on a weekday. If you’re planning a special occasion, the VIP salon offers an intimate setting perfect for private gatherings.

Tips for Making a Reservation

Casa Gangotena is a popular dining destination, so it’s best to make a reservation in advance. You can easily book a table online through their website. Consider visiting during lunch or dinner to enjoy the full range of menu offerings. The rooftop terrace provides stunning views, making it a great choice for evening dining.
Feel free to read reviews from other diners and explore their website at Restaurante Casa Gangotena for more information and get ready for an unforgettable gastronomic adventure in Quito!

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Whey protein

Muscle helps with stability and balance. Are you looking to increase your muscle? Many try whey protein.

When it comes to building muscle, the most important part of the diet is protein. It is a building block of muscle tissue. If you want to build strong and lasting muscle, consider the benefits of whey protein.

Whey protein pros and con

Protein is one of the staples of a strong diet along with carbohydrates and fats. Eating them in the proper proportions will help you to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. As you get older, the body loses muscle mass. Building muscle becomes even more crucial for stability, longevity and proper body functioning.

Consider whey protein

Do you remember the Little Miss Muffet nursery rhyme? She sat on her tuffet eating curds and whey. Whey is produced when you are making cheese. It is the top layer that is separated out. This is a pure kind of protein that has many benefits to the body, especially for those who are trying to build muscle.

Now whey protein is not just for body builders. Muscle is important at all stages of life. To help muscles recover from a workout, whether cardio or a strength training routine, it needs protein for the repair and rebuild. Whey protein provides the most branched-chain amino acids for optimum return.

Well, you might be saying that protein is not hard to come by and you’d be right. Of all the nutrients in your diet, protein is the one that is most often not lacking. You find protein in many sources: meat, dairy, eggs, green leafy vegetables and seafood. But, the quality of protein is what differs. Animal protein contains a measure of fat as well as the protein.

What are some other benefits of whey? Think about how hard it is to lose weight. As you age, it doesn’t get any easier. Whey protein as a daily protein source can help with that.

Adding protein at every meal helps to balance your blood sugar. It eases those cravings for sweets and other unhealthy foods in the middle of the day. Your blood sugar is more even, just like eating complex carbs but without the added sugar intake. You can concentrate on eating healthier and getting the exercise you need to increase your weight loss.

Cons

There is a downside to just about everything. As far as whey protein goes, it may be the intake. The average intake is about 25 grams a day for the average athlete or person working out consistently who wants to lose weight and tone their muscles. Bodybuilders increase that six-fold to make great muscle gains in the least amount of time.

Consuming too much protein can cause problems with the liver. It will have a hard time breaking it down. If you use whey protein, use it wisely and compensate by lowering other protein sources in your diet.

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Vacuum sealers

Many people swear by vacuum sealers while others detest them to the utmost degree.

The question arises…

Are vacuum sealers worth it?

From the infomercials seen on TV, to the shelves of clearance items at your local general store, vacuum sealers are all over the place declaring their superiority over simple human packaging. Has the thought ever crossed your mind; “Are vacuum sealers really worth their high price and cheep looking design?” Well, if it has, you are in luck because we are going to take a look at what makes a good vacuum sealer and if they are really worth all of the hype.

Sealing mechanism

It doesn’t matter how much air a vacuum sealer can suck out of a package. If the mechanism used to seal the package does not work properly or leaves holes in the seal, you might as well have thrown your money into a fire. Some vacuum sealers have specialized bags that work specifically with the sealer to make sure the sealing mechanism doesn’t cause holes or tares.

The sealer works by slightly heating up the sides of the bag and pressing them together in order to melt the plastic to a point where no holes occur. Some sealers get too hot and end up burning through the plastic, creating possible entry points for air. When choosing a vacuum sealer, usually the ones with specifically designed bags work best because the plastic is composed of the exact make-up needed to prevent melting or holes.

Suction

Just like melted bags, a vacuum sealer is completely pointless if it doesn’t do what it says it will do; vacuum. Some of the sealers on the market today, either because they are poorly powered or do not have the best hardware, have extremely low amounts of suction for their intended use.

There is, of course, a flip side to this situation, which is a vacuum sealer with too much power behind the vacuum. When there is too much suction, the food inside the pouch can actually become crushed. Another problem with a lot of suction is that food can become partially dehydrated, which we discussed, leads to an increased chance for freezer burn. It is important to look for a vacuum sealer, which can control the amount of suction it puts on a piece of food as to not demolish it.

Worth it?

As many variables as vacuum sealers can have, it is not worth investing the money unless you do some serious research first and are willing to give up a few green ones in place of the Ziploc and straw method. If you have the time and patience, you could try numerous ones out to see if the work well, but you can get the same freezer results if you take the time to correctly package your foods.

In the end, it is eventually up to you alone whether you want to spend the money on the vacuum sealer, just remember to check for holes in your bags and also to initially freeze your bagged food to keep it from getting destroyed and helping to prevent freezer burn.

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Slim wine cooler

A wine cooler is a great product. It keeps your wine at the perfect drinking temperature, ready for dinner or unexpected guests. A small freestanding 12-bottle slim wine cooler is fantastic for apartments or smaller places due to its slim size.

With less than 11 inch width, it can fit almost anywhere, but amazingly can hold up to 12 bottles of wine. you will like the modern and stylish look of this modern wine coolers. Such an appliance would make a great addition to any kitchen or dining room.

These coolers usually come with lots of great features, such as slide-out chrome shelves, double pane glass door, control panel with an LED temperature display, adjustable thermostat, thermoelectric technology and soft interior lighting just to name a few. Wine coolers run quietly and are energy efficient. The slim cooler itself has one single temperature zone, which means that it is only meant to store one type of wine at a perfect temperature and it is usually not recommended to store sparkling wines, which should be chilled at lower temperatures. However, the thermoelectric technology does not produce disrupting vibrations. This means wine can age naturally as nothing will affect the sediment.

All in all, if you are a wine connoisseur who loves to enjoy a glass of perfectly cooled wine, a slim wine cooler would make a great investment. Such a cooler usually comes at a good price and, given their size, can easily be fitted even in the smallest space in your home.

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