Casa Julián — Restaurant in Samborondón

What a pity! - quite honestly we did the reservation for this place just because of the reviews, but will never come back here because the only thing we enjoy was the amazing view of the place. This was a completely disappointment from the beginning to the end. Starting that we had a reservation for 10 they give us the biggest table that wasn’t necessary, since we couldn’t even talk to the other end if we don’t walk around it. So very bad idea. About the menu: we asked for a wine menu and they “are working on it” so they don’t have one so we took the server recommendation, was good but when we ordered the second bottle they didn’t have. So if you know is a table for 10 don’t offer what you don’t have in stock is just not right! Anyways, the food: my nephew is 7 so we ask the server if we can have a special order for him what they did, so BIG bravo for that extra step. I ordered the “tasting menu” the starters were good and innovative, what create a big expectation for the main course but I don’t think the chef was ever in one tasting menu before, the expectations were high but having 1 single shrimp as a main course is not even gourmet anymore and you can call me crazy but I had done plenty of tasting menu and never ever had the necessity to go eat somewhere else after my dinner (so I leave that to consider) another thing we didn’t enjoy was the HORRIBLE timing to bring the food. As a chef I can understand that all the kids are serve first, so they did to my nephew, but after that…. Was a completely disaster, my partner got his starter way before everyone else. Then we start getting our food one by one, so any chef should know that is not enjoyable to eat their meals in the wrong temperature. And as a courtesy is normal to wait for the others to start eating… well we had to screw our courtesy to eat our meals in the other they took them out. Very unpleasant. I give 2 stars because they have the best location but what we pay was not worth it. So the entire table agree not to go back here. Thanks for the unpleasant time Casa Julian. Next day we had dinner at our hotel and I would give 100 stars with service and food. And the price wasn’t shocking as CJ, and we were the same people. The live you learn...

40min to get our cocktails with an essentially empty dining room. We had to remind them we’d ordered drinks. Still one of our cocktails was prepared incorrectly and had to return it. It took about an hour to receive our appetizers as our waiter said there was a kitchen issue, though we suspect they never received the order. Our entrees were brought to us, and one was prepared rare when we’d asked for medium (steak was delicious/ the food was delicious) Our waiter asked us if we wanted more water and we said we were OK the way we were but still he went back and brought back from the bar two bottles of water. We just accepted them, since it seemed like at every turn what we were ordering had one blunder after another. We skipped dessert. Though we asked for our receipt and didn’t get one, other patrons were attended to instead. We ended up going to the host to check out. We unfortunately felt terrible about not tipping but this was a very unique experience where the service was equivalent to the amount we decided to not give. The food was exquisite but the waiting staff needs training/ work. I suspect this is not the waiters fault but rather his training. He didn’t know and had to physically show him on the menu where things were and what they...

This is a destination restaurant. A trip to Guayaquil and even to Ecuador is warranted. One of the top five restaurants I've ever experienced.

Inspired by local flavors, the cuisine is both classic and freshly unique. The ambiance of the restored early 19th Century mansion is lovely and not at all stuffy. Attention to detail in everything from drinks to dessert is world class.

The Jipijapa Ceviche is perfectly balanced and each bite of seafood is exquisite in preparation, taste and texture. The nod to local use of peanuts works remarkably well.

The Osso Bucco is truly extraordinary. Tender and flavorful as it should be, the brown sauce is brilliant. The handmade thin green pasta is precisely al dente in its own brilliant sauce with a seasoned egg yolk that is neither too hard nor soft by exactly as it should be.

The in-house-made flight of ice cream is truly extraordinary and features local fresh fruit and other beautifully presented flavors.The inclusion of a beet-flavored ice cream is a bold move and works surprisingly well.

Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy one of the best meals of a lifetime at...