La Trattoria da Gabriele

 

The coastal Chone River Estuary bioregion of Ecuador where we live, is no longer " new-to-us ." However  we continue to be excited like young pioneers with every new adventure, discovery, and pearl of cultural knowledge.

 


This past weekend on a daytrip to Montecristi we discovered La Trattoria da Gabriele,  a wonderful Italian restaurant perched on the hillside overlooking the mighty Pacific Ocean.

It has been designed full of character and charm, in harmony with it's ecological landscape. Constructed with wood, stones, and brick, and set in a beautiful flower garden.


 





 

In our small coastal community of Bahia de Caraquez our choices of ethnic cuisines are very limited, so we look forward, when traveling, to enjoying flavours and culinary dishes from other cuisines.   Italian cuisine is recognized throughout the world for  simplicity, variety and excellent quality.  Trattoria Da Gabriele with her family recipes  wishes to contribute in continuing to justifying this  fame.

Gabriele Setti , restaurant proprietor relocated to Ecuador as a young man 60 years ago.

 

He has been providing residents of Manta fine Italian cuisine from different restaurants throughout this period.  About four years ago he built and opened in the current location on the hillside of Montecristi.      

Trattoria's kitchen specializes in  authentic Italian dishes prepared based upon proprietary products such as pasta, sausages and vegetables, along with a variety of fish, seafood and cheeses.



The recipes are old family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation in the villages, cities and regions that until the end of the Renaissance were true states separated by borders and customs, each one with its own customs and folklore. These recipes have been improving since their use in great monastery kitchens  in the first millennium.   Further  enriched by Marco Polo who brought pasta from China, along with Asian spices to the Republic of Venice.  From the Americas came tropical fruits, tomatoes, cocoa, potatoes and corn.

For a peek at their menu please visit their website

The restaurant's motto    " Il piacere dell 'antico buon mangiare "  -   The pleasure of good old food



Location  Address   Calle Brisson Av Stanta Teresa

Hours of operation  from 12:30 p:m  to 12:30 a:m              

For reservations  telephone   (05) 2310350  or  (05) 2310875   or  9325779




We are experiencing growing numbers of coastal visitors leaving the area significantly disappointed with their experience and findings.  It seems many have either unrealistic expectations or have little appreciation of what living in a developing latin country is all about.

National police report that crime rates in much of Ecuador are falling but  rates are rising in coastal cities.  In an effort to combat this rising tide of crime Manta city council has just passed an ordinance prohibiting more than one rider on a motorcycle  when traveling city streets.

Manta police say that a number of murders, and hundreds of robberies have been committed recently by two men on a motorcycle, where one drives and the other fires a gun or jumps off to commit a robbery.

In a similar attempt to thwart increased crime Bahia council passed  motorcycle restriction ordiances about one year ago restricting parking in front of banks or major stores, lack of mufflers, and ridership  however after the first several weeks there is no longer any enforcement.

These increasing restrictions are significantly impacting many poor, innocent citizens who rely on motorcycles as their primary  transportation.  Will the motorcycle be taken away if there is a child or wife riding with the driver ?  How are these people expected to get around ?

A frightening statistic which is  causing the government to fund a $ 2 million dollar crime investigation unit in Manta: Of  the over 680 murders in our province ( Manabi ) last year not a single one has been resolved  !!!