X LO ALTO RESTAURANTE — Restaurant in San Juan

Review of X LO ALTO RESTAURANT

As a Quito native now living in New Jersey, I don’t typically write reviews, but my experience at X LO ALTO RESTAURANTE compelled me to share. This restaurant truly offers a culinary journey through Ecuador with its incredible mix of coastal and Sierra dishes.

Ambiance The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, filled with cultural elements that transport you back to Ecuador. It’s a perfect setting for anyone looking to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

Food The flavors here are nothing short of extraordinary.

Coastal Dishes: The ceviche stands out with its fresh ingredients and zesty marinade bursting with flavor. The seafood stew is rich and satisfying, a real testament to the coastal cuisine.

Sierra Dishes: The hornado was perfectly cooked, with crispy skin and tender meat, served alongside delicious llapingachos that brought back memories of home. The locro de papa was a comforting starter that warmed my heart.

Each dish was a delightful reminder of the diverse culinary heritage of Ecuador, and I can honestly say it's the best taste I've had in a long time.

Service: The staff at X LO ALTO were friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed while also sharing insights about the dishes.

Overall Experience: X LO ALTO RESTAURANTE is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Ecuadorian flavors. The combination of unique dishes and the warmth of the staff made my dining experience unforgettable. I can’t wait to...

Ecuadorian Flavors, Elevated (but Needs Some Refinement)

Español abajo

This restaurant offers a promising take on Ecuadorian high cuisine, showcasing creative dishes inspired by traditional flavors with a modern twist. We visited for a birthday dinner, hoping for a special and relaxed experience, and while the ambiance was lovely, the food unfortunately didn't quite live up to our expectations. The menu is certainly intriguing, highlighting the chef's innovative approach to classic Ecuadorian fare. I opted for the Yagua Tripa, a traditional potato soup known for its thick consistency. While the tripas (guts) themselves were exceptionally well-prepared and flavorful, the soup itself was surprisingly thin and lacked the rich depth I was expecting. It felt like a key element of the dish was missing. My wife's ribs, on the other hand, were a standout – truly premium quality. They were served with a bollo, a pairing that seemed unconventional at first, but ultimately proved to be a delicious and harmonious combination. The surprising synergy between the ribs and the bollo was a highlight of the meal. For dessert, we shared the cheesecake, which was absolutely fantastic. The distinct flavors of maduro (ripe plantain) and salprieta (a local seasoning) created a unique and memorable dessert experience. While the restaurant clearly has a vision and some real culinary talent (as evidenced by the ribs and the cheesecake), the execution of certain dishes, like the Yagua Tripa, needs some refinement to truly elevate the dining experience. With a bit more attention to detail and consistency, this restaurant has the potential to be a true gem of Ecuadorian high cuisine.

Sabores Ecuatorianos, Elevados (pero Necesita Algunos Refinamientos) Este restaurante ofrece una propuesta prometedora de alta cocina ecuatoriana, mostrando platos creativos inspirados en sabores tradicionales con un toque moderno. Fuimos para una cena de cumpleaños, esperando una experiencia especial y relajada, y aunque el ambiente era encantador, la comida desafortunadamente no cumplió del todo con nuestras expectativas. La carta es sin duda intrigante, destacando el enfoque innovador del chef hacia la comida ecuatoriana clásica. Yo opté por la Yagua Tripa, una sopa de patatas tradicional conocida por su consistencia espesa. Si bien las tripas en sí estaban excepcionalmente bien preparadas y sabrosas, la sopa en sí era sorprendentemente ligera y carecía de la rica profundidad que esperaba. Sentí que faltaba un elemento clave del plato. Las costillas de mi esposa, por otro lado, fueron excepcionales, de una calidad verdaderamente superior. Se sirvieron con un bollo, una combinación que al principio parecía poco convencional, pero que finalmente resultó ser una combinación deliciosa y armoniosa. La sorprendente sinergia entre las costillas y el bollo fue un punto culminante de la comida. Para el postre, compartimos la tarta de queso, que fue absolutamente fantástica. Los sabores distintos del maduro (plátano maduro) y la salprieta (un condimento local) crearon una experiencia de postre única y memorable. Si bien el restaurante claramente tiene una visión y un verdadero talento culinario (como lo demuestran las costillas y la tarta de queso), la ejecución de ciertos platos, como la Yagua Tripa, necesita algunos refinamientos para elevar verdaderamente la experiencia gastronómica. Con un poco más de atención al detalle y consistencia, este restaurante tiene el potencial de ser una verdadera joya de la alta cocina...

WOW! I’m not sure where to begin, but Etnia was one of the best dining experiences of my life (and I don’t say this lightly, having been to over 40 countries and some of the best restaurants in the world) . The service: firstly, I was wandering aimlessly outside and couldn’t quite figure out how to get in.. the owner must have spotted me because he came out to help. They had just opened and I had the whole place to myself. The waitress was so attentive, and did a great job of explaining what each course was, as well as making me some delicious cocktails. Everybody was so kind and welcoming to a Canadian with mediocre Spanish. ;)

The food: I did the 6 course tasting menu and was completely blown away. Everything was not only incredibly delicious but absolutely gorgeous. Delicious Art.

The location: tucked away on a steep street with the most incredible view. The restaurant itself Is so quaint and the view is unmatched.

To Summarize: if you are in Quito, you HAVE to eat here. You will not be disappointed. (I got lucky because it was a Monday midday, but considering it is a small restaurant, I would suggest a...