Chimborazo, the adorable new Ecuadorian restaurant at the far end of Central Avenue was dead empty when we stopped in for a late lunch (to be fair, it was smack in the middle of the lunch and dinner hour, so that could have been a factor). Ambient music that was a little too loud blared from the big screen TV, but it couldn’t disguise the unmistakable clatter of fresh food being prepped through the kitchen window.

As with any new, small restaurant that looks like it may still be building a clientele, best practice is to talk with your server, and if you can, your chef, about what to eat today. Our adorable waitress, who doted over our table like a mama bird suggested entrees of a coconut shrimp and a stirfried beef with papas fritas (french fried potatoes) and peppers.

Both dishes were excellently prepared, the shrimp just al dente in a comforting blanket of creamy tomato coconut sauce, perhaps not inspired, but not a damn thing wrong with it either. The stirfried beef was the winner of the two, tangy to the point of mouth-watering, in a craveable spice mixture that’s difficult to try and put one’s finger on. It came tossed with french fries (a strange looking presentation in these parts, but seen all over South America and even Spain). Both dishes were served with perfectly cooked rice and a big wedge of lime. You’ll have to ask for hot sauce (Ecuadorian food is not as heavily spicy as say, Mexican, and even hot sauces are on the milder side of the spectrum).

After our meal, the chef/ owner left the kitchen to stand by our table and chat, letting us know that his wine and beer license is on the way as well as a plan for Friday fish fries. Breakfast is a specialty, with a traditional meal of potato pancakes stuffed with onions and cheese, topped with a fried egg, and then peanut sauce. But don’t worry, they also serve buttermilk pancakes and regular old eggs how you like ‘em, if you’re dining with an unadventurous sort.

Overall, this was a sweet experience, and one I’d love to repeat. I recommend you do too.

Grade for this visit: B+

Chimborazo Ecuadorian Restaurant
2851 Central Ave., Mpls.
612.788.1328