With more than seven years of experience under its belt, Bertuchis can justify the claim of being one of the best Italian restaurants in Cuenca. Owner and chef, Nelson, spent 15 years in the U.S. as a restaurateur and returned to Ecuador with the experience necessary to open and run an establishment that appeals to both foreign and local tastes. I have never been disappointed with any of the meals I've had there. The quality is consistent, the recipes great and the service is good.

The menu is large and varied and I'll list a sampling of the offerings to give you an idea of what is available.

The "Entradas" include onion soup at $2.75, foccacia with three cheeses at $4.18 and frito mixto (calamari, corvina and camarones) at $6.65.  The champignones ala ajillo are almost soup-like and come with cheesy bread for dipping (see picture). The large salads cost from $4 to $6.  There are several Caesar salads as well as Caprese, Prosciutto and melon, and good old antipasto.

The main courses of chicken, seafood and meats range from $6.50 to $7.50 in price and come in very generous portions. You'll pay more for the BBQ Ribs, mar y terra (surf and turf) and langostinas, but these are expensive wherever you go.  Bertuchis also features "the usual suspects" such as salmon, steak, pork chops and churrasco in case you want something other than Italian.  

The main reason I go to Bertuchis is for their marvellous pastas. There are 44, yes forty-four, different pasta dishes. My faves are, camarones a la Putanesca (whore's pasta). No rude remarks please!  Pollo a la Ana Maria (named after Nelson's mom) is fettucine with a light tomato sauce, with olives and artichokes, served with a tender chicken breast the size of a turkey breast.  (See attached pic). Pastas are priced between $5.50 and $7.50.

There's a whole page of pizza dishes and dessert offerings. I dare you to go for dessert after your meal, as the helpings are generally large. Many dishes are enough for two.

Cocktails, wines, beers, coffees and juices are available.

Bertuchis can get particularly busy on weekends and some evenings, so plan accordingly.

Bertuchis is open Monday to Thursday, 12 noon to 10 p.m ., and Friday and Saturday to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon until 3 p.m. Located on Av. Unidad Nacional #30 and Padua (take Remigio Crespo to Unidad Nacional, turn left (south) at the Totems  roundabout and go about a kilometer; restaurant is on your right). Tel. 409-1265 and 288-9297.

From the ‘by the way department:’ There’s a new Italian restaurant in town called Mangiare. It’s attached to Posada del Angel at Calle Bolivar and Calle Estevez de Toral. Stay tuned for a full report.

Photo credit: Sumana