About
ABOUT EL QUETZAL
After a 41 year absence from Ecuador, Joe (or José) Meza decided to return to see his home country. He traveled all over Ecuador, but when he arrived in Mindo he immediately fell in love. Mindo is a lush cloud forest currently holding the title of having more bird species than anywhere else in the world. Plant and animal life is very diverse. The rains ensure a plethora of orchids, butterflies, frogs, bromeliads and of course birds.
On Joe’s next visit to Mindo he brought his wife and daughter. He wanted them to see where he wanted to spend the rest of his life. They purchased a piece of land near the main square in Mindo, but far enough away from the pueblo that you only hear birds and the sound of the river flowing.
Having had a successful business for more than 30 years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, Joe couldn’t be happy without owning a struggling business. So he decided to start a restaurant AND live above the restaurant, thus fulfilling his lifelong dream of living in the same building where his business is! When Joe and the family are in the U.S., the rooms are now available to rent.
They built the restaurant in March
of 2008 and planted the ½ hectaire in tropical fruits and vegetables. They have
100 banana plants in five varieties, 100 coffee plants, cacao plants
(chocolate), peanuts, pineapple, naranjilla, papaya, pitahaya, maracuyá,
coconut, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, nabo cabbage, cabbage, tomatoes,
dried beans, fresh herbs and medicinal gardens, to name a few. They became
members of the Organic Association of Ecuador and maintain high standards for
organic foods. These foods are now being served in the restaurant.
Because of the demand in Mindo for
high-quality freshly roasted Ecuadorian coffee we have purchased a roaster and
are roasting fresh coffee weekly.
El Quetzal Online reviews at http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/ecuador/the-northern-coast-and-lowlands/mindo/mindo-restaurants/el-quetzal
