Jackson Heights (Queens) is not only the largest concentration of Ecuadorians in NYC, but in the entire country. Take a walk up 37th Avenue or Roosevelt Avenue between 85th - 95th Street and you will see a vibrant array of Ecuadorian businesses and a slew of restaurants. I have eaten easily at a dozen of them and to they all produce good food, but in selecting one restaurant it would be La Puntilla. I find the food very very good, and the atmosphere is relaxed and colorful, it just feels "right" to me. La Puntilla which is named after the resort town in Ecuador just recently celebrated it's seventh year. It is owned and operated by the affable Francesco, who despite his warmth and hospitality is camera shy. That's okay, I still love the place!

Ecuador for such a small country (size of Wyoming) has a staggering diversity of landscapes, much of it breathtaking. Mountains, volcanoes, beaches, Amazon jungle, desert, savannas. Because of this wide range of land-type their cuisine is varies as well, reflecting the food of "the mountains," (heavily meat oriented) and "the coast" (seafood and shellfish). The above dish is Ceveiche Mixto it is not only the National Dish of Ecuador, but they have an official National Day to celebrate it, on June 28th. This is my favorite Ecuadorian dish as well. For those of you that have had Peruvian ceveiche, the Ecuadorian version is different in that they cook the fish before it is marinated with lime juice. It is more soup based and not as spicy as Peruvian ceveiche as well. The fish they use is usually Picudo and the dish contains shrimp, black mussels, red onion and lots of lime juice. 

You guessed it . . . this is what "mountain food" looks like.  This dish called Llapingacho, it one of the very most popular of the "Typico" mountain region dishes.  The dish includes; stuffed fried potato with cheese, two fried eggs and large chunks of pork chunks. Llapingacho is certainly not the best selection for those watching calories (the portion is HUGE), but it packs a lot of flavor if you are in a big-time hungry mood.

The waitresses Elizabeth on the left and Yokasta, both very kind and fun-loving adding to the comfortable home-like atmosphere at La Puntilla. The decor is a tad on the spartan side and an eclectic mix. The paintings include a Mediterranean sea-side, another with hanging trees, a tribal woman with a bow and arrow, an African mask, and a sculpted flower design. The walls are soothing in a soft peach color as are the table clothes. Seating is about 60, and the TV fluctuates between a heated soccer match to a heated Latin Soap Opera.

Caldo de Gallina (Hen Soup) I ordered a "small" and the bowl that came out was "large," typical of the very ample portions which are served up at La Puntilla. And, the "hen" was not a scattering of hen pieces in the soup, but instead, a large substantial juicy portion of the hen. The soup was very good! Ecuador is noted for their broad array of heart-warming soups, and La Puntilla is a wonderful place to try them. Some of the most popular include: "Caldo De Bala Rellena (stuffed plantain dumpling soup), "Caldo De Bagre (codfish soup), Caldo De Salchicha (sausage soup) Caldo De Pata (cow feet soup) Caldo De Marinera (seafood soup).

And on Saturday evenings, the restaurant is filled with the lovely crooning of the singer Jose Onlando. He is very popular and has been singing at La Puntilla for sometime. 

Spanish language lesson - "Hello" (Hola) "Thank you" (Gracias) "Delicious" (Delisioso)

Interesting fact about Ecuador -

Address -    91-17 37th Avenue  (718) 424 - 3836