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Gourman: Salon Madame in Cuenca

Madame Lounge Room is one of the most beautiful and well-treated places in the country, with quite reasonable prices.

I had to write this column late at night, as soon as I arrived from the place. I felt the need, as a result of the gratifying experience that it caused in my group. In Cuenca, they recommended us to visit Madame Lounge Room, on the corner of Benigno Malo and Bolívar streets, in front of the park, adjacent to the cathedral, from whose balconies its beautiful illuminated domes could be seen.

On the second floor of a mixed construction from the late nineteenth century, stands a French-style house. At the beginning of the staircase that leads to their rooms, the host loudly shouts: “Gentlemen, ladies, welcome to Madame”, the one who was once the home of a wealthy foreign family who lived in the city at the beginning of the 20th century. Upon reaching the lobby, next to the piano, we are greeted and placed in one of the six interconnected rooms, with an exquisite decoration that has respected the style of the house, and of which, in fact, a large part is original.

An enviable display of antiques, paintings from the Quito school, embossed copper ceilings with different ornaments in each room playing with delicate and different tapestries on its walls and furniture, transport the visitor to the last days of the Belle Epoque.

We sat in the main lounge, facing a wonderfully structured floor-to-ceiling bar. Although the site has some modern touches, it couldn’t be said to be eclectic.. It is classic, but with certain elements that give it a fresh air.

I could taste several whiskies Interesting Single Malt, a 15 year old Singleton and a Glenmorangie Cash Finish Nectar. We were amazed at the details of the service; one of the few in the country that I could classify as excellence. Even the different ice cubes were perfect and suitable for the drinks we ordered.

This time I was frugal in my dinner: an aguachile and a salmon sandwich. Aguachile is a Mexican-style ceviche, with a touch of hot chili, shrimp cooked to the point and sea bass treated with citrus fruits, with a crunchy corn and slices of cucumber that gave it a fresh flavor and reduced the heat. Very good.

The salmon sandwich, generous, with a successful salad of romaine lettuce, heart of palm, croutons, cherri tomatoes and gooseberries in a fine balsamic reduction, topped with Parmesan. The only criticism I would make of the sandwich is the presence of cheese cheddar. Instead, other ingredients may be more helpful.

We finished the evening on one of the balconies, with a Portuguese herb bash. All the rooms of the house have balconies with their tables, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the heart of the city.

Without a doubt, without having an extraordinary gastronomy and, nevertheless, quite good according to what we taste, it is one of the most beautiful and best-treated places in the country, with quite reasonable prices.

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