Description: There are a number of superb quality restaurants within the La Mariscal district of Quito, but there is only one that I would be willing to eat at every single night. Granted, I might be English and our love for Indian food is well known, but I really was surprised at how authentic and tasty the food at Great Indian Restaurant is. It's not the same as Indian food in 'Old Blighty', but it's a very close second.
Great Indian Restaurant (or Grean Indian Restaurant if referring to their business cards!) is perfectly located smack bang in the centre of 'Gringo Landia' on Calle Jose Calama between Calle Juan Leon Mera and Avenida Amazonas, meaning a 5-minute walk maximum is needed from any accommodation in this district of Quito.
From my experience of eating in Quito this seems to be one of the few restaurants busy all through the day and when you see some of the tables full with members of the Quito Indian community, you get the impression the food has to be authentic. The restaurant has seating for a good 60 people inside with additional seating outside on Jose Calama, which is mainly used by those who enjoy starting their alcoholic drinking way before sunset. Even so, this is a perfect place for a quick afternoon beer, watching people go by, and at only $1 for a large bottle of Brahma beer, one could easily turn into several.
Once inside, out of the midday Quito heat, there is an ample menu to choose from, with all your traditional madras, rogan josh, masala, korma, and jalfrezi dishes at the ridiculous cheap prices of $2.50-$3.00 per dish, which comes complete with your choice of rice or naan. Personally I would recommend the lentil curry dish ($2.50), which is the best I have chosen there so far. For something a little less hot, the chicken korma (a little more expensive at $3.50) is full of aromatic coconut and almond flavours and can be eaten to the soothing sounds of Bollywood films, which always seem to be playing.
If you have a real hunger problem, then you will be pleased to hear that the restaurant also serves a wide selection of starters and desserts. Of the starters I can highly recommend the samosas and poppadoms that are both delicious and come with a variety of spicy sauces to help them slide down.
Due to the high number of diners, service can sometimes be a little on the slow side, but the quality of the food easily makes up for this and the portions are very impressive in their size. I really can't recommend this restaurant highly enough and when you consider the $5 you spend here for starter, main course, and a drink, it comes much cheaper than other restaurants in the area. Owned by Mr. Mahendra P. Patel and Jashiben M. Patel, more information can be obtained by calling the restaurant on either 2238269 or 094180183.
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