Traditional Bolivian Kitchen packs Surprises! Sancho Panza Bolivia!

A cascade of surprises! First is the name! Sancho Panza? A reference to Spanish literature? Hailing from Madrid Pablo Zarate has had great success in La Paz with Spanish Restaurante Sancho Panza. He now teams up with Bolivian Enrique Mendoza and Bolivian Chef, Cristian Vargas to launch Sancho Panza Cocina Boliviana. 

The menu is truly national in scope. Foods from the mountains, valleys and lowlands are featured in daily specials and coupled with an ample salad bar and buffet for all the sides you can eat. A wine list selected to complement the dishes purveyed, thrills the palate. And the list of national beer labels is as delightful as it is comprehensive. Chef Vargas attends to time-tested traditional recipes, uses only local ingredients and elevates it all to achieve a beautiful dining experience. The environment is well appointed. The service is attentive without being intrusive. And prices are very affordable. It's the perfect restauarant for the traveller who wants to enjoy local fare and, also, for the Bolivian who wants to savour dishes that grandmother lovingly prepared for the family.

Nestled amongst international hotels, the restaurant is situated nicely on the second floor of Hotel Las Brisas on Calle Illampu making it easy to find from all points in the city. Even though just new on the scene, Sancho Panza Cocina Boliviana is one of the finest traditional kitchens in the city!

And, by the way, count on the surprises!

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved. mickhuerta@gmail.com 
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food, Wine!

Dawn on Lake Titkaka

Sunday morning January 17th 2010, I am writing from the shores of Lake Titikaka. Taking in first light and cloud cover is truly facinating when next to the highest navigable lake in the world. The high altitude surely lends drama to the dawn. The lake sits at 3,812 m (12,500 ft) above sea level. By volume, it is also the largest lake in South America. Personally, these are the moments I live and travel for. I love getting to know the world´s high and low spots, all spots in between and the people who live there!

Travel has long been a source inspiration. An inspiration to be bigger then I was yesterday, have more patience with myself and the world. Travel is also evidence that I still have much work to do. A lifetime is required some companions might add. On the road I have been elevated, at other times irritated. The most recent example, of being both at the same time, has been staying at the Hotel Rosario del Lago. Truly a beautiful place. Stunning really! But they are expanding, adding suites with jacuzzis for future ultra posh travellers. The tap, tap, tap of the construction has been irksome; tap, tap all day - it stopped at 7:pm Saturday night. Sunday morning 8:30am, the tap, tapping began anew. With no option other than go down to breakfast, we joined other guests who were in disbelief that the tapping had begun so early, on Sunday! Management estimates completion around mid-June 2010. We all know constrution schedules; it always takes longer! Book accordingly!

The facility, staff and service are superlative. However, the tapping has driven us out. We´ll pay, leave early. There´s very good trekking to be had in the Andes so we´ll get on with it. And seek out a place a little quieter for a well deserved night´s rest at high altitude (without the tapping). Happy Landings!