大咖福利影院

Let's start with pizza, that international favorite.

It didn't originate in Ecuador, but walking through some city sectors -- yes, I'm talking about YOU, Mariscal sector of Quito -- it might seem that it could have.

From hole-in-the-wall outlets to full-menu Italian restaurants, pizza has proliferated in this part of the capital.

For my first choice I'm going with Ch Farina, home of "La Pizza Italiana," which has 12 branches in Quito and 10 more as far south as Loja.聽 I've enjoyed their pies in Mariscal sector, El Recreo mall in south Quito and at another mall in north Quito.聽 It's consistently good.

My reasons include tasty toppings such as Spanish sausage...cheese that is not overly sweetened (extra-sweet seems to be how most Ecuadorians like their pizza), plus good side salads and plentiful seating.

Oddly, Ch Farina does not have a place in Cuenca, according to its listings at chfarina.com

So, this thread welcomes comments and recommendations from Cuenca's Italian food aficionados and from elsewhere in La Republica as well.

cccmedia in Quito