Location: Av Remigio Crespo 5-13 and Imbabura, Cuenca, Ecuador (there is also locale next to Supermaxi Las Americas)
Tel: 2883920 or 2819055
Hours of operation:
Call for hours
Services: Want an amazing pizza with fresh ingredients and an excellent selection of gelato? Look no further than La Fornace! Their pizzas are some of the best I've ever had (if you like spicy food try the Diabolo) and they use fresh, hand chopped ingredients. Decent service and the prices are pretty average.
Average Plate Price: An average pizza is $12-$14. Gelato runs around $1.50 - $2.00
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 4 stars
Bus Line:
Map:
View La Fornace in a larger map
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
La Herradura Grill Restaurant
Tel: 281-5477
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday - 12:00pm - 3:00pm
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday - 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday - 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Services: Some of the best barbecued meat in Cuenca. My favorite dish is the superlomo which is a large piece of tender beef served with barbecued green peppers and caramelized onions, a serving of baked new potatoes, and delicious dipping sauces. Their service, however, leaves a lot to be desired. They tend to be slow in answering questions and fulfilling the requests of customers. We placed an order to go and ate at home rather than eating in the restaurant.
Average Plate Price: The superlomo feeds 3-4 people and costs $21.50
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 3 stars
Bus Line: Line 16 (H. Del Rio - San Pedro)
Map:
View La Herradura Grill Restaurant in a larger map
Sándwiches de Pernil (Pork Sandwiches)
Hours of operation:
Monday - 9:00am - 8:30pm
Tuesday - 9:00am - 8:30pm
Wednesday - 9:00am - 8:30pm
Thursday - 9:00am - 8:30pm
Friday - 9:00am - 8:30pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
Services: Amazing pork sandwiches with homemade aji made by local Cuencanos. Accompany your
sandwich with a delicious and refreshing coconut juice. You don't want to miss out on trying this tasty Cuencano dish, and will probably even eat more than one! Average Plate Price: Sandwiches cost $1.20, coconut juice costs $0.50
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 4.5 stars (its a small family run place and they provide a very basic customer service, nothing above and beyond)
Bus Line: Line 20 (Cdla. Kennedy - Racar)
Map:
View Sándwiches de Pernil (Pork Sandwiches) in a larger map
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kookaburra Cafe and Accommodation
Tel: 284-0423
Email: kookaburracuenca@gmail.com
Find them online
Hours of operation:
Monday - 7:00am - 4:00pm
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - 7:00am - 4:00pm
Friday - 7:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday - 7:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday - 7:00am - 4:00pm
Services: From their website... "Kookaburra Cafe and Accommodation is a small B&B located in a beautifully renovated building in the heart of Cuenca's Historic Centre. Guests can expect to enjoy quiet nights in one of Kookaburra's two 'Mini Suites', and cheerfully busy days when customers begin to visit the Cafe from 7am to 4pm, Thursdays to Mondays. The Accommodation opens onto a small courtyard toward the rear of the building, away from the street-front Cafe and the bustle of busy Calle Larga." I lived in Australia for about a year and a half and walking in to the Kookaburra Cafe took me back to some of my favorite cafe moments in Australia. They have wonderful homemade muffins and desserts on the counter, hot coffee, freshly made veggie juice, breakfast and cafe favorites, and a friendly (homey) atmosphere. Their courtyard is perfect for sunny days and the inside is good for any day! Chris and Jen will always greet you with a smile and a warm welcome, and its an excellent place to meet other 
English-speaking expats. Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Average Plate Price: $1.50 - $3.00
Bus Line:
Line 3 (Eucaliptos - Sayausi)
Line 4 (Cdla. Alvarez - El Tejar)
Line 17 (Zhucay - Todos Santos)
Line 20 (Cdla. Kennedy - Racar)
Map:
View Kookaburra Cafe and Accommodation in a larger map
California Kitchen
Tel: 083111740
Email: calkitchen@hotmail.com
Find them online (their website will eventually be here)
Hours of operation:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 8:00am - 12:00pm (breakfast)
12:00pm - 4:00pm (lunch)
Wednesday - 8:00am - 12:00pm (breakfast)
12:00pm - 4:00pm (lunch)
Thursday - 8:00am - 12:00pm (breakfast)
12:00pm - 4:00pm (lunch)
6:00pm - 9:00pm (dinner)
Friday - 8:00am - 12:00pm (breakfast)
12:00pm - 4:00pm (lunch)
6:00pm - 9:00pm (dinner)
Saturday - 8:00am - 12:00pm (breakfast)
12:00pm - 4:00pm (lunch)
6:00pm - 9:00pm (dinner)
Sunday - Closed
Services: The California Kitchen is a family run business (they are originally from California) that offers excellent food and excellent service at a decent price. Their breakfast menu includes items like hash browns, biscuits and gravy, waffles, pancakes, juice, coffee etc. They offer weekly lunch specials for around $7.00 and weekly dinner specials for around $10.00. They offer free wi-fi in the dining area and will bring you a newspaper (in English or Spanish, depending on your preference) to read while you eat. A quality dining experience with wonderful service! If you haven't gone yet, go! Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Average Plate Price:
Breakfast - $5.00 to $6.00 (full meal and coffee)
Lunch - $7.00
Dinner - $10.00
Map:
View California Kitchen in a larger map
Saturday, October 16, 2010
El Nomad Cooking Classes
Tel: 090093695
Email: askme@elnomad.com
Find them online
Hours of operation:
Classes are held every Tuesday from 3:00 - 5:00.
Services: Every Tuesday learn to cook traditional Ecuadorian dishes in the El Nomad center! Classes are instructed in Spanish by Maestra Chelita, but a translator will be on hand to help those who need English instruction. Each class will end with enjoying the food you have learned to cook and a cup of Ecuadorian grown coffee (or tea if you perfer), and great conversation (an excellent opportunity for you to practice your Spanish!). A pdf with instructions in both English and Spanish will be emailed to you after each class so you have the recipes to work from.
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Map:
View El Nomad Cooking Classes in a larger map
Guia de Buses, Cuenca
Tel: 2821035
Find the office information online
Hours of operation:
Bus hours of operation vary per line. Starting on page 9 of the guide there are hours listed for every bus line in Cuenca. For hours of operation for iTur please call the number listed above.
Services: The Guia de Buses (or bus guide) has maps and hours for all 28 bus lines in Cuenca. The maps contain a blue line for "ida" (or, to) and a red line for "retorno" (or, return) and reference points so you have an idea of where you can catch the bus. The guide also contains a list of points of interest with bus lines that go to them.
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): N/A
Map (for iTur office):
View iTur Office (for bus guides) in a larger map
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bilingual Facilitators
Location: Urb. Las Pencas II, Calle Orquideas 3-25 y Casuarina, Cuenca, Ecuador
Tel: 090093695
Email: arturogarate@gmail.com
Find them online
Hours of operation:
They are available any hour, simply call or email and set up an appointment
Services: Their slogan is "We Help You Get It Done!" and that they do. They help English-speaking foreigners who move to Cuenca navigate the system. They can help you with anything from finding and renting an apartment, to translating a website, to finding and/or going to the doctor or dentist, to negotiating for and buying furniture, and much more! They will help with negotiations so you aren't overcharged, and steer you away from locales that want to take advantage of you because you are new in town or not from Ecuador.
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Map:
View Untitled in a larger map
Tel: 090093695
Email: arturogarate@gmail.com
Find them online
Hours of operation:
They are available any hour, simply call or email and set up an appointment
Services: Their slogan is "We Help You Get It Done!" and that they do. They help English-speaking foreigners who move to Cuenca navigate the system. They can help you with anything from finding and renting an apartment, to translating a website, to finding and/or going to the doctor or dentist, to negotiating for and buying furniture, and much more! They will help with negotiations so you aren't overcharged, and steer you away from locales that want to take advantage of you because you are new in town or not from Ecuador.
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Map:
View Untitled in a larger map
Helados La Tienda
Tel: 2807619
Find them on Facebook
Hours of operation:
Call for hours (but they always seem to be open)
Services: This is the BEST ice cream in Cuenca! It is family owned
and operated (I think the grandma still works there!), and they have been making and selling ice cream for years. Although they always have the same 13 flavors, you never tire of this ice cream! Priced at only $0.75 per ice cream, La Tienda can't be beat! (to see pictures of all of the ice cream flavors click on the picture of the ice cream to the left)Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars (there is almost always a line on the weekends, but don't let that scare you away, the have fast and efficient service)
Map:
View Helados La Tienda in a larger map
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Cikla
Tel: 2884809
Find them online
Hours of operation:
Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Services: Cikla Cuenca is your stop for outdoor gear. Although they specialize in bicycles (carrying brands like Globe and Specialized) and bike repair, they also carry brands of outdoor gear like Camelback, Tatoo, and Buff. Recently they have added two urban clothing lines, Cholomachine and Pomelo, as well. In addition to being a great place to buy bikes and outdoor gear, they are also very in tune with the local sports scene and can help get you connected with a sports group or provide you with information about upcoming sporting events.
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Map:
View Cikla - Cuenca in a larger map
View Cikla - Cuenca in a larger map
Bertuchis Pizza - Restaurant
Tel: 4091265/2889297
Hours of operation:
Call for hours
Services: Are you looking for a great plate of Italian food? Look no further! With fast and responsive service, delicious dishes, a variety of options, and decent prices, Bertuchis has been one of our best overall dining experiences in Cuenca in a long time.
Average Plate Price: $7.00Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Map:
View Bertuchis Pizza - Restaurant in a larger map
Monday, October 11, 2010
Morejon Motos Servicio Tecnico
Tel: 098484656
Find them on Facebook
Hours of operation:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm/3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Services: Morejon Motos works exclusively with motorcycles, but can work with any type of bike. Cristobal, the owner, is internationally trained (in Argentina and Canada) and offers excellent, bilingual, mechanic services. He is honest and won't overcharge you or fix things that don't need to be fixed. Cristobal can also help you find a motorcycle if you are looking to buy one.
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Map:
View Morejon Motos Servicio Tecnico in a larger map
Pixxel Impressiones
Location: Av. Unidad Nacional 2-73, Cuenca, EcuadorTel: 2 815 514
Find them on Facebook
Hours of operation:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm/3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Services: Pixxel can do any type of printing and publicity on your choice of material (from paper, to wood, to plastics, etc.). They have lucrative clientele including the Municipio de Cuenca, the Coliseo in Cuenca, Las Monjas restaurant, Cafe Moca, and they print the identification cards for the majority of the schools in Cuenca.
Customer Service Review (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
Map:
View Pixxel Location - Cuenca, Ecuador in a larger map
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