Cardó

Quito, Ecuador

Argentinian chef Adrián Escardo seeks inspiration from both his Latin American and European roots at Cardó, a bistro-style restaurant located in a multi-mezzanine hung dining space in Quito. Spread across multiple levels, with exposed brick walls splashed with colourful daubs of paint, the restaurant opened a week before the city was put under lockdown during the pandemic. After two months of takeaway-only service Cardó reopened – and has been on the up ever since. Whipping up dishes to the motto, cocina con fondo – literally, “profound cooking” – Escardo rethinks Mediterranean classics using Ecuador’s cornucopian larder. Dishes on the a la carte menu include the likes of duck confit taquitos, sous vide pancetta with chimichurri, prawns and palm spaghetti, and a much-lauded pistachio crême brûlée. Mixologist Ignacio Maggio helms the bar, offering a sharply curated selection of first-class cocktails, while the wine cellar boasts 2,000 bottles from both New and Old-World vineyards.

Key Information

• Average price per person $60
• Tasting menu from $85
• Lunch and dinner: Mon – Sun
• 593 98 623 4711
• Visit Cardó's Website

Location

Av. La Coruña N31-70, Gonzalez Suarez, Quito, 170135