Santa Espuma

Santa Espuma

The bar at Santa Espuma

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.

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

Restaurant, Bar Types:
Bar / Pub / Brewery

Prices: Mid-Range

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:Vegetarian dishes, tasting menu

Service Features:Private parties, phone ahead seating, large groups ok

Bar Features:Full bar, wine / beer, bring your own beer, no alcohol served

Regulations: Yes

Dress Code: Casual

Reservation: Not necessary

Park Options: Yes

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

By Tammy Portnoy

By trade, I am a writer/editor/journalist. I have a degree in Spanish and a degree in magazine journalism, from what calls itself the oldest...

Created: 25 Feb 2008

Updated: 25 Feb 2008

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