Good news for those of you looking for decent food in Quito, which doesn't involve Guinea Pig or Maize Soup! In Avalon you will find some very high quality ingredients cooked in a way that you will recognise and understand, which may well come as a welcome relief!

The owner of this delightful restaurant is Henry Richardson, whose mother comes from a long line of Ecuadorian top chefs and his father´s family the same, but from Alabama. He will make you feel very welcome and might steer you towards a truly stunning Pangora Gratinada, which is a kind of Stone Crab Thermidor. Some readers may remember my description of the fresh crab salad off Krabi in Southern Thailand, believe me this dish is right up there! I could also have gone with Ceviche or Oysters but I really recommend this starter.

I was a bit unadventurous with the main course but tried some US Beef which was exactly what I was feeling like and which was delicious. There are many other grills of excellent quality meat. The fish is what this country is famous for so there is an excellent selection of that too.

As seemingly everywhere in Spanish speaking South America, the only half bottle of red is the Casillero del Diablo, which fortunately is very good. Incidently the name means Devil´s Lair, which the owner of Concha y Toro called his cellar to prevent his workers pinching his wine. It worked!

Avalon is easily the best restaurant in Quito; your meal will cost around US$60 a head, which is well worth it for the quality. Mention Dine Online and Charles Pelham and you are sure to get a warm welcome!

Charles Pelham, Quito, May 2002. 

AVALON, RESTAURANTE JARDIN, AV. ORELLANA, 278 y 12 de OCTUBRE, QUITO,
ECUADOR. TEL. 2229 993. 2509 875. 2509 879