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“Nice place, good "gourmet Ecuadorian" and gin tonics ”
Review of URKO Cocina Local

URKO Cocina Local
Ranked #26 of 2,492 Restaurants in Quito
Certificate of Excellence
Price range: $30 - $75
Cuisines: Ecuadorean
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Dining options: Late Night, Reservations
Description: We use ingredients from our country, we gather them from different farming communities around all the regions of Ecuador. We cook ecuadorian food, using the flavors and elements that have been with us along our history, been part of our lives and we show them in a contemporary way that reflect the essence and origin of our products. We did research about our ancestral cultures and the diets used in the past, we adapted these products to modern cooking techniques. We are cooks with an ecuadorian identity that seek to connect our guests with our land, its products and its people. We live, cook and work with love, passion and social responsability
Reviewed July 13, 2016 via mobile

The place is super nice, the architecture it's really cool The ambience and the music, the service is very very good, food in general it's super tasty however for my personal tasty, the plates have way to little food this is why I mean gourmet so in general terms I'm not looking for like a huge plate but the minimal approach to the amount of food you receive for the price of the plate I believe it to be very expensive, if you have the dough def hit this place with a cool Ecuadorian modern fusion.

Date of visit: February 2016
Thank Miggss
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urko R, Gerente at URKO Cocina Local, responded to this reviewResponded July 28, 2016

Dear Miggss,
We appreciate for your comments, we are very happy that you enjoyed your time here.
Please feel free to come back anytime you decide.

Regards,
URKO Family

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Reviews (933)
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396 - 400 of 933 reviews

Reviewed July 13, 2016 via mobile

Urko uses only local organic ingredients and elevates dining to a new level. Coming from San Francisco, we experience great food but the level of dining here was on par with some of the best food experiences we have had ever. Not inexpensive but not over priced at all. Their unique approach to drinks is also very creative. Certainly not to be missed in Quito.

Date of visit: July 2016
Thank Marc S
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urko R, Gerente at URKO Cocina Local, responded to this reviewResponded July 28, 2016

Dear sarosi1,
Thank you very much for your comments, it's been a pleasure for us to have you here.
We always try to innovate in products and preparations with a lot of investigation and also being respectful.

Regards,
URKO Family

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Reviewed July 11, 2016 via mobile

Quito is not a city that comes to mind when I think of an Iron-Chef type experience. I was completely wrong. URKO is a gem of a find with a chef that not only greeted us but explained we could choose a casual setting and meal on the lower level or the tasting menu upstairs. The upstairs dining room was chic but empty in a Saturday night. That made me wonder if we had chosen a dud to celebrate 11 years of marriage. Wrong again. This menu was based on the abundance of tubers growing in the rich volcanic soil of Quito. The 6 savory courses did not disappoint. The first 3 courses were superb with the first a creamy chunk of avocado covered in crunchy yummy corn- cilantro goodness. Up second -the potato-cracker-paper a simple presentation of potato- like chips to educate the diner on these wonderful tubers. The surprise of a perfectly executed fried potato plank trout sushi was a wow. Pickled tuber slices with onion flower made for a nice tart change. The pork in the 6th course was perfection in every way from sauce to texture. The transition at course 7 was a merengue with herbal drips of cleansing greatness. The sweeter courses were unique but not the tasty mix of flavors the savory courses had been. The barley with coffee and herbs was breakfast like before a strange sweet potato and berry combo with a lemon snow highlight. Final course was a baklava like treat and the best of the sweet courses. The waiter was more than versed on the menu, helpful and great to have along this tuber ride. The tasting menu includes wine and cocktail tasting. The gin mixed drink was a surprising addition to lovely choices of wine that made the entire evening a delightful. As an added treat a special dessert was created for our 11th and it was beautiful and delicious. Anyone traveling or living in Quito must try URKO. Simply amazing detail and thoughtful chef along with a great team. So glad we chose this wonderful sure to celebrate.

Date of visit: July 2016
Thank LivingLovingItaly
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urko R, Gerente at URKO Cocina Local, responded to this reviewResponded July 12, 2016

Dear Donna c,
Thank you very much for this comment full of details, we simply love it!
Happy anniversary (again), we are glad we were part of such an important event in your life.
We'll continue improving for sure with all your recommendations.

Regards,
URKO Family

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Reviewed July 10, 2016

We made reservations in advance for their tasting menu, a ten course exploration of the offerings of the restaurant. We were assigned two bilingual servers who brought each course to us and spent a few minutes explaining what was in each one and it was a specialty of the house. I experienced a mild allergic reaction to one dish in the middle of the courses and had to excuse myself for a few minutes. The servers were very concerned about me and offered me an allergy pill to make it through the meal. I was better after a few minutes but I did appreciate their concern. The experience was enjoyable and I highly recommend trying it if you are a foodie (but I personally would skip the octopus next time!).

Date of visit: June 2016
Thank wyogaltoday
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urko R, Gerente at URKO Cocina Local, responded to this reviewResponded July 12, 2016

Dear wyogaltoday,
We are very happy to hear from you! Thank you for coming and writing!
Yes, come back, we'll avoid octopus for you :)

Regards,
URKO Family

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Reviewed July 7, 2016 via mobile

We decided to treat ourselves to the chef's tasting menu while visiting Quito recently. What a treat! The service was fantastic from the minute they opened the door for you. The menu is designed to take you on a tour of local cuisine from all over Ecuador, and comes complete with a passport :) Each of its 10 courses was extremely well thought out and beautifully creative in it plating. Our server explained each dish in detail with very good English.
While on the pricy side, you can understand why after you experience all the care, fine details, and hard work that goes into your meal. The owner's father even called us a cab, and waited with us until it arrived to ensure we were safe. Little touches like that make Urko a memorable place and one I would highly recommend.

Date of visit: July 2016
Thank I_heart_CREPES
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urko R, Gerente at URKO Cocina Local, responded to this reviewResponded July 12, 2016

Dear I_heart_CREPES,
THANK YOU! We are really glad that you enjoyed the experience we offer. It is very important for us to be sure about our guests security.
Please, anytime you decide come back. We'll be waiting for you

Regards,
URKO Family

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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