Santa Espuma

Location:
Whymper N29-02 and Orellana
Northern Quito - the "New Town", Quito, Ecuador

Restaurant, Bar Types:
Bar / Pub / Brewery

By Tammy Portnoy

In Ecuador it is appropriate when ordering beer to assume that it'll be a national, light lager. However, at Santa Espuma feel free to throw around beer terminology like Porter, Golden Ale, Scottish Ale and Pale Ale when ordering your libation.

While studying in Australia, Andrés Proaño picked up a home beer brewing kit at the grocery store. Then he continued his beer-ducation and received a masters in brewing. Now back in Quito, Proaño works days as an investment banker and nights working quality control at his microbrewery. Keep an eye out for the sharply dressed man in the Elvis Costello glasses, he'll be happy to answer any questions or just to say, "Hey."

Get to Santa Espuma early enough in the day to snag the hottest seat in the house, literally, on the couches next to the fireplace. Go with a group of friends and sit in the front for a view of Quito through a window on one side and a view of the brewing system through a window on another side.

This microbrewery, which opened in the fall of '07, joins the ranks of many yuppie establishments along Whymper near Seis de Diciembre. All the staff speaks English, it is clean, bright, posher than most microbreweries in the States and there's even toothpaste in the bathroom if your teeth are feeling grimy. Don't expect typical pub fare, the food has a classy look, even platters of sausages are arranged smartly with bowls of sauces and salads. The Cesar salad comes with real anchovies and many menu items have a beer ingredient.

So, when a light, national Ecuadorian lager isn't quenching that thirst, go for a scrumptious Golden Ale. Or keep a look out, because Proaño will soon be coming out with a fifth beer. Maybe it will be a Trappist or Hefeweizen...

Tuesday- Saturday 1 p.m.-12 a.m.

Sunday 1 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Prices:
Lunch: Mid-Range
Dinner: Mid-Range

Credit cards accepted
checks, Visa, MasterCard/Eurocard, bank debit cards

Price Description: beer

$3.25 pint

$2 1/2 pint

appeteizers

$3.20 for specialty french fries to $11 for a platter (for 4) of munich sausages, german sausages, house cream porter sauce and german salad

main dishes

about $4 for personal pizzas, salads and hamburgers

about $8-12 for chicken or beef dishes

Atmosphere: Fireplace, nice view

Menu Features:<br/>Vegetarian dishes, tasting menu

Service Features:<br/>Private parties, phone ahead seating, large groups ok

Bar Features:<br/>Wine / beer, beer tasting, brewery

Regulations: Smoking section

Dress Code: Casual

Reservation: Accepted

Park Options: Own parking lot

Contact Information:
Phone: 3238244 or 3238687
E-mail: santaespuma(at)remove-this.uio.satnet.net
URL: www.restaurantes.com.ec/santaespuma
Reservation URL: quito.restaurantes.com.ec/r_carta.php

Traveler Reviews of

No Large Groups

Rating: 50%

Santa Espuma is great, they have good food, good beers and it is a nice atmosphere. But, the service was really poor. We were in a group of almost 20 and it took us way over an hour to get our first beers. Then, they were really confused when we tried using coupons. Instead of being nice or apologizing, the waitress blamed how long everything was taking on us. By the time the wonderful manager came out, everyone was already really annoyed.

By V!VA User from U.S.A., Mar 07, 2008

Great Beer!!!!

Rating: 100%

I did enjoy too much the beer and the food is great...This is what Quit was needing a beautiful place located in a great zone, with nice people, nice food and the best of it...The best beer in Ecuador!!

By V!VA User from colorado, May 08, 2008