INÉS Restaurant: A Culinary Journey of Tradition and Innovation at ILLA Experience Hotel with Chef Juan Carlos Donoso | Travel Blog

Not all restaurants leave a lasting impression. Many are enjoyable in the moment, but few linger in the memory.

INÉS Restaurant is one of the few that lingers a bit longer. It’s inside ILLA Experience Hotel, in Quito’s Historic Center. In this exclusive interview, Chef Juan Carlos Donoso shares with us the key highlights that make the cuisine so special, each dish tells a story that goes beyond memory.

Table of contents

• The Personal Story Behind the Chef
  • The reason he loves what he does
• Gastronomy at INÉS Restaurant: Identity, Memory, and Creativity
  • The Signature Dish
• The Chef's Favorite Dish
• Wellness: Sensory Experience
• The Meaning of ILLA: A Home of Light and Connection
• A New Chapter: Innovation and Expansion
  • A More Casual Culinary Experience
• Project NESTS: Transforming Lives Through Gastronomy
• INÉS Restaurant Featured in SCAPE Magazine
• Exclusive Benefit for SCAPE Readers
• A Message for Travelers
• FAQs

Keep reading and let yourself be enchanted by every flavor!

The Personal Story Behind the Chef

At 38, Chef Juan Carlos Donoso runs and manages the INÉS Restaurant. Although he initially chose to pursue a career in medicine, he later realized that his true calling lay elsewhere.

His inspiration came from the kitchen, watching his grandmothers cook and witnessing the joy they took in it. “That magic became the foundation of my passion,” said the chef.

The reason he loves what he does

Today, cooking is more than a profession: it is his way of life. For Chef Donoso, creating and innovating dishes for travelers is an emotional and meaningful experience that allows him to share a part of Ecuador with every guest.

Gastronomy at INÉS Restaurant: Identity, Memory, and Creativity

Chef Donoso’s philosophy is rooted in taking traditional Ecuadorian recipes and transforming them into a contemporary culinary experience.

Each dish is designed to:

• Reflect the flavors of Ecuadorian grandmothers
• Preserve authentic ingredients and techniques
• Educate travelers through gastronomy
• Create an emotional connection with Ecuador

 

The Signature Dish

One of INÉS’s most signature dishes is the Galápagos fish known as “Brujo.”

This dish brings together the four regions of Ecuador. Among the most representative ingredients the chef mentioned are: 

• Galápagos fish
• Coconut-based risotto
• Black salt from Manabí

It is an example of how Ecuador’s diversity can be captured in a single dish.

The Chef's Favorite Dish

One of Chef Juan Carlos's most personal dishes is the traditional chili and cheese soup inspired by his grandmother.

Prepared with:

• Potatoes
• Cheese
• Butter
• Flour
• His grandmother's special touch

It shows how food can convey emotions, memories, and identity across generations.

Wellness: Sensory Experience

At INÉS Restaurant, wellness isn't just part of every dish. At INÉS Restaurant, well-being is at the heart of every dish, and we strive to offer the best experience to every guest

Cuisine that promotes well-being

• Fresh, locally sourced ingredients
• Balanced flavors rooted in tradition
• A mindful dining experience
• An emotional connection through food

Dining here becomes a moment of respite, allowing travelers to reconnect with themselves as they discover Ecuador through their palate.

The Meaning of ILLA: A Home of Light and Connection

For Chef Donoso, ILLA is more than just a workplace: it’s a home.

For him, ILLA means:

• Light
• Refuge
• A place to belong

It is a space that welcomed the restaurant from the very beginning and gave it the opportunity to introduce Ecuadorian cuisine to the world in a refined and exclusive setting.

“Being part of ILLA is a source of pride and responsibility, especially when it comes to sharing Ecuador with international travelers,” says the chef happily.

A New Chapter: Innovation and Expansion

The evolution of the ILLA Experience Hotel continues with new spaces designed to enhance the guest experience.

December: a new dining space

Located on the hotel’s highest terrace, December offers:

• A sophisticated yet much more relaxed atmosphere
• A refined menu featuring unique flavors
• A new perspective on Quito

 

A More Casual Culinary Experience

Chef Juan Carlos notes that this new space aims to break away from formality and create an environment featuring:

• Influences from French bistros
• Classic dishes such as onion soup
• Pork burgers with caramelized onions and portobello mushrooms

This evolution allows guests to enjoy a variety of culinary styles in a single space.

Project NESTS: Transforming Lives Through Gastronomy

NESTS is an initiative launched by ILLA Experience Hotel, aimed at creating opportunities for young people from different regions of Ecuador.

Through this program:

• Young talents leave their communities to gain new experiences
• They acquire professional culinary skills
• They receive compensation for their training

For Chef Donoso, this project is a way to give back what he received, by sharing the opportunities he himself was given at some point in his life.

INÉS Restaurant Featured in SCAPE Magazine

Being featured in SCAPE magazine is a great opportunity to showcase not only the restaurant, but also the hotel and Ecuador as a whole.

Chef Donoso believes that Ecuador has enormous potential, much of which remains to be discovered.

“I believe SCAPE magazine helps travelers realize that Ecuador offers much more than just the Galápagos Islands, highlighting its culture, cuisine, and hospitality.”

Exclusive Benefit for SCAPE Readers

As part of this collaboration, SCAPE readers can access:

• 2x1 on signature cocktails at the hotel

 

Don't miss out on this exclusive offer just for you!

A Message for Travelers

Enjoy the warmth of Ecuadorian hospitality and discover the richness of its flavors

“Living each experience to the fullest is essential: we don’t know what tomorrow holds, so we must live every moment as if it were our last.” he says. 

That’s why you should visit Ecuador, a destination brimming with experiences, flavors, and people ready to welcome you with open arms.

FAQs 

What makes INÉS Restaurant unique?

It combines traditional Ecuadorian recipes with a more current approach, without losing what makes them recognizable

How does INÉS incorporate wellness into its experience?

Through fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and a slower dining pace.

Where is INÉS Restaurant located?

Inside ILLA Experience Hotel in Quito’s Historic Center.

What is Chef Donoso’s signature dish?

The “Brujo” fish with coconut risotto and black salt, and his favorite dish is the chili cheese soup.

Are there special benefits for SCAPE readers?

Yes, a 2x1 promotion on signature cocktails.