Restaurants in Cuenca, Ecuador - RESTORANTE VECCHIA MODENA - A "Don't Miss" Experience!!

Restaurante Salumeria Vecchia Modena

A Place to Enjoy Savory Wines and Italian Delicacies -

and it's right around the corner from us!

Address:  JUAN JARAMILLO 8-21 Y LUIS CORDERO
07-282-5105

UPDATE:  MASSIMO HAS MOVED!!  
He will be reopening SOON!!!
The new address is:

Luis Cordero 5-65 y Honorato Vasquez

If you've been to our place to eat, you know that Bo and I like to cook delicious gourmet foods.  We also like to eat out, but not just anywhere.  Sometimes friends or acquaintances will recommend a place to us.  If we know they are excellent cooks, we'll trust their recommendation. Only then is it usually a hit!  Those of you who are "great" cooks know what I'm talkin' about. You just can't eat any ol' place.  It's gotta be GREAT!

There are a million dining places to explore in Cuenca.  Some have great atmospheres and not-so-good meals.  Some have delicious food, but the place may not be quite on a par with cleanliness.  I always check out the bathroom to see if it is an establishment that is paying attention to detail in the hygiene department.  Then there are the places I've experienced where the food, service, atmosphere, and hygiene department are all a big "zero."  Hey, you've experienced that too, haven't you?  It's a place that you would NEVER recommend nor return to.  

Because we don't eat every meal or even half our meals outside of home, for us to dine out is to look for the package experience.  Great food, attentive service, classy atmosphere, and friendly personable owner and staff.  Living in the heart of El Centro gives us daily opportunities to peek in various restaurants as we walk the street and continue to get acquainted with our neighborhood.  There are many popular restaurants that have closed in our almost two years here, yet new ones are always popping up and enticing us in.  We'll usually go in to talk to the owner or staff, check out the menu for the type of cuisine and PRICES, scope out the atmosphere and look for cleanliness, and then make our decision whether we'll sit and order now or return at a later date to see what kind of dining experience we end up with.

The other day, I dined with a friend at a local popular and often advertised restaurant in El Centro.  I was eager to experience a new place for almuerzo.  We entered a courtyard that was quaint and lovely, but the food prices high and portions surprisingly small.  We both left hungry and disappointed.  As for the service and customer care - I give it a big ZERO.  Because the owner knew it was our first time experience (I told her so she could impress us), she FINALLY returned to ask us "how was it."  In honesty, I complimented her that the food was good (between us - not great), but the portions extremely and surprisingly small.  Her response?  "Well, that's how we do it here," and she scurried away. Do ya think I'll go back there to eat?  NOT!

Bo had been telling me about a small new restaurant on Juan Jaramillo, right around the corner from our place where he had recently purchases some delicious cheeses and sausage, and where he also had lunch with friends.  Yesterday was my time to experience "Ristorante Salumeria Vecchia Modena" - and our few hours dining there and getting to know the Chef and Owner, Massimo, his wife Alicia, and a visiting chef friend of theirs, Luca, was fun and a "delicious" experience.  We had stopped in earlier for Bo to introduce me to Massimo, and we left with our purchase of three different Italian cheeses.  I kept looking around and was impressed by the colorful and classy decor, I enjoyed seeing his tables full of ex-pats who had already discovered this quaint place (he's only been open a few months), and I quickly made a silent decision that I would be back with Bo in the very near future to enjoy some good wine and authentic Italian food.  

We continued on our way to do errands and visit friends in El Centro.  Well, wouldn't you know - Bo left his umbrella at Massimo's - so we had to stop back in on the way home to pick it up.  It was now early evening, and Bo asked me if I'd like to sit and have a glass of wine and a bite to eat.  We sat and began to be pampered by Massimo as he poured two glasses of Chianti and served us delicious warm Tigelle bread baked fresh and filled with his creative concoction of Roma tomato, Italian cheese, sweet onion, and a "to die for" homemade sweet relish.  I could have eaten a dozen of these little treats, but I'm watching my girlish figure.  As Bo and I dined and sipped our fine dry Chianti, we learned all about how Massimo ended up in Cuenca, Ecuador to open his restaurant so he could share his savory Italian cuisine with those looking for an authentic Italian experience.

We went home happy and full.  Late in the evening Bo served me a bowl of his homemade White Bean Soup with savory chunks of real Italian Sausage (purchased earlier at Massimo's Restaurant).  It was so delicious I almost had a second bowl.  If you haven't been to Ristorante Vecchia Modena, you should!  You will enjoy meeting this kind and smiling Chef and have a wonderful dining experience.  Tell Chef Massimo that "Bo and Linda" sent you. You won't be disappointed.

Pictures Tell the Story 

The minute I entered Ristorante Vecchia Modena I loved it.  

The vibrant colors, lush thriving plants, and classy atmosphere and decor wooed me in.

Of course, the first thing I want to see is "what are they serving?" and "What are their prices?"

When it's a package deal I'm happy to pay - delicious food, friendly attentive service, classy atmosphere - and clean.

 Massimo knows good wine and was running a special this weekend on his Chianti.

 You can buy fine cheeses (Mozzarella, Parmigiano, Fontina, and Scamorza, Pecorino, Feta, Chevre, Cottage, and more), homemade Italian sausage, Salsa Picante (Relish), Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy, and when excellent cuts are available - Lomo Fino (Tenderloin).  Massimo purposes to sell only the finest!

 Ahhh, Bo's delicious White Bean & Sausage Soup.  I must say, it's the best sausage I've had in a looooooong time -  since we left the USA.

 There are many delectables to choose from at Massimo's restaurant - Like jars of Roasted Peppers with Eggplant.......

 ........homemade muffins......

.......or homemade butter crust apple pie.

 He uses fresh ingredients and everything is cooked in his well-stocked kitchen.  We had the privilege of going behind the curtain to see how he cooks some of his fabulous creations.

A Tigelle bread mold

 The Tigelle bread was freshly made, warm, soft, and filled with an amazing homemade relish spooned on top of sliced Roma Tomato, thinly sliced sweet onion, and an Aji Italian cheese.  

Bet you can't eat just one!!!!  Bo and I couldn't..... 

They were so amazingly delicious that Bo and I bought 30 of these little breads and all the inner ingredients to make these for a pot luck we would be attending the following evening.

Soon-to-be Roasted Red Peppers.

Ingredients are ready for a simmering homemade Italian sauce.

So, stop by and check out this tiny classy gem of a restaurant.  Introduce yourself to Chef Massimo 

and be ready for a memorable and delicious experience.  

Tell him that Bo and Linda's Blog post wooed you in!!!

Cheers!!!

RESTAURANTS IN CUENCA ECUADOR - Todos Santos Church and Restaurant in Cuenca - THE BEST OF THE BEST!

 TODOS SANTOS CHURCH AND RESTAURANT IN CUENCA - A Don't Miss!

Some of Todos Santos Restaurant's Remarkable Chefs

Bo and I LOVE to cook!  We cook and eat most of our meals at home because we like to eat healthy, want to stay within our monthly Cuenca budget, and also because, since we know GOOD food, we're pretty picky about finding restaurants that we consider fabulous and reasonably priced.

Of course we could go out to eat every day here because many of the restaurants charge $2 to $5 for a full course delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  However, we like to go out occasionally and find that special restaurant we want to frequent because it's a treat, a celebration, an experience, and a great meal for a great price.  Yes, we do sometimes meet friends at a restaurant for a meal, or we sit down for a simple mid-day meal because we've been out and about doing errands and we're too tired to fix anything at home.  Yet, on a regular daily basis, we are home enjoying the fresh meats, fruits and vegetables from our neighborhood "mercado" which are then transformed into fabulous healthy meals, mostly prepared by my Chef Bo.

Platanos, carrots, and camote (a sweet potato) are in the three-tier basket.  Chard, red and green peppers, avacados, red onions, cucumbers, fresh pungent basil (what a find for 50 cents) leafy lettuce.  Wooden bowl abundant with local fruits including mangos, oranges, apples, papaya, and bananas.  All this produce for $11.50.  En Serio!!!! 

One of our favorite places to dine is at Todos Santos Restaurant on Calle Larga.  It is located in a 16th Century Convent, and the food is absolutely fabulous! Recently we went there with friends for lunch.  I asked the head chef, Mauricio, if I could come and do a photo shoot for my blog.  He immediately said, "Yes," with the offer to take Bo and me on a private tour of the restaurant, organic gardens, and church grounds.  We met Mauricio the following day before the restaurant opened, and what a fun time it was photographing this kind and friendly chef and one of the most amazing historical buildings in Cuenca.  Mauricio explained a lot of the history as he took Bo and me on our own personal guided tour.  It was another fabulous "behind-the-curtain" experience I will cherish, which I love about living in Cuenca.

So join us through my lens and then plan on stopping by to meet Chef Mauricio and enjoy experiencing his artistic organic cooking.  It will be a memorable meal in a quaint and historic atmosphere which you are sure to enjoy and will never forget!

PICTURES TELL THE STORY.....

Chef Mauricio Bernal has his own special place in the garden area where he like to go and "chill" before or after a long day of meeting, greeting, and serving the public.  His passion for his restaurant and its location was evident as he proudly showed us around this beautifully restored historic building.

Cobbled floors, antique pieces, and original woodwork grace the entrance with a rustic and historic feel.  The original building was built in the 1500's.  Though recently renovated, it boasts an old-world historic ambiance with many original features intact.

A huge double wooden door leading to a cafe-bakery is open to the public daily.  Their fresh on-sight oven-baked breads and delicious pastries are absolutely worth the trip.

 

The daily breads and sweets are.......

...... freshly baked in this over 100 year old historic wood-fired oven.  The master baker uses long wooden paddles to turn the breads for an even browning.

The public can purchase these delectables Tuesdays thru Saturdays from one of the only five charitable nuns living on the premises.  Apparently, there used to be 100 nuns living here.

Chef Mauricio took us through one of the many quaint dining rooms, and we climbed over the plants that barricade this staircase.......

.......walked down a little rustic hallway.......

......into a tiny room where, in the past, a newly received nun would be called to isolate herself for a year from the things of the world (yikes, no texting or internet).  This was her time to pray and be sure she wanted to continue her life strictly devoted to her religious faith.  Yes, this is where she slept - on that thin little mat on the floor.  Ouch! 

It was time to go down and tour the lush and grand organic garden from where all of Todos Santos' fruits and vegetables are harvested.  Mauricio's salads, vegetable dishes, and desserts are always organic, freshly prepared and so delicious!  The fabulous Tomebamba River runs parallel to this abundant landscape.

We walked along beautiful tiers of stone pathways adorned with cascading plants......

.....enjoying a fabulous view of this historic city!

The leafy lettuce were abundant and thriving.

Delicious plump berries.....

.....and more!  We witnessed a wonderful array of fruits!

We sampled one of many black walnuts ripe for the harvest.

The day was sunny and warm - perfect weather for a colorful fragrant organic garden tour!

Every few steps there would be another variety of juicy fruit or colorful ripe vegetable.

Some areas were ready for planting another rotation crop.

The lush grounds are planted, weeded and harvested by one of several gardeners.

As we circled around.....

.....the rustic garden grounds......

.....Mauricio explained to us that the nuns use some of the restaurant and bakery proceeds to help support this school adjacent to the Convent-restaurant.  They also support the poor.

We watched the children come out of the building for their daily recess time.  Children in Ecuador wear uniforms to school, and each school has it's specific uniform colors. 

It was time to head back to the restaurant, but difficult to pull myself away from the beautiful church grounds and this amazing sky and view overlooking the city.

Back at the restaurant, special cakes were being created by......

.....one of Todos Santos' master bakers.

A paper is formed into a cone and filled with a sweet fruit syrup.....

.....then squeezed onto the center of each cookie.

Five different fruit flavors were pressed while we enjoyed watching this antiquated process.

While the master baker decorated his pastries and cookies, this student chef prepped vegetables and greens for the soon-to-arrive lunch crowd.

All from that abundant organic garden!

Finally, the tour is over and Mauricio heads downstairs to the elegant dining area.....

.....to check on the table settings and ambiance and give it his final approval!

Todos Santos is located at Calle Larga 5-19 y Mariano Cueva.  

They opened October 1st, after a two-year renovation.  Go early and Mauricio will take you by the hand and show you around, explain the history, and seat you for an elegant and memorable meal.  On your way out, stop at the bakery to take home some of the delicious and unique breads and sweets. 

You can order a tasty and reasonably priced elegant lunch (above) in the day time. I had "Seco de Chivo" - goat that is slow-cooked for 12 hours overnight!  It was melt-in-my-mouth delicious and tasted like the most tender steak ever!   Buen Provecho!