Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Review: Bodhi's Thai Lunch and Aquaponics Urban Farm of Cuenca, Ecuador


Review: Bodhi's Thai Lunch and Aquaponics Farm

VRBO Link:  B&B Hostel
Bodhi's email:  krollrealty@comcast.net 


We were invited by our new friends Jan and Leanne to try an amazing Thai lunch.  We looked over the menu and emailed our choices a week prior to having the meal.

Bodhi
As always, we were excited to try some cuisine from somewhere we had never experienced.  We printed off the directions and found a taxi.  As intimidating as the directions were, the directions were very easy to follow and within 10 minutes we had arrived at Bodhi's.  As we exited the taxi, we were greeted by Bodhi as he gathered fresh greens from his Aquaponics garden.  We walked around and toured the operation.  Fish growing in a pond, the water filtering into gardens where plants grew from the fishy water.  Then the water is cycled back into the fish pond as clean water.  The fish grow faster and taste better than normal pond raised fish.  The veggies also grow faster with the nutrient rich water.  They use no pesticides or other forms of fertilizer (if they did/were using the fish would die.)  It's a pretty cool set up and very tasty food.


On the Way into Bodhi's

Trout and Goldfish Farm

Aquaponics Farm

Aquaponics Farm
Aquaponics Farm

Aquaponics Farm

Aquaponics Farm
We chatted with the other guests and took our seats as our drinks were delivered. 

Patio Table

View From the Patio

View From the Patio

View From the Patio

All three of us asked for a lemonade.  Made with real LEMONS!!!  It was a light pink but very tasty.  This was a nice treat as lemons simply don’t exist here in Cuenca.  I look in all markets and mercados every time I head out with no joy.  The only criticism is our desire for a larger glass of lemonade.  About 6oz of lemonade for $1.00 was a little high (plus my small glass was only 3/4 full.)  However, the flavor was awesome!

Fresh Organic Salad From the Garden
Our first course came out and the salad was very tasty. The greens were very flavorful and the dressing was so good we bought a bottle of it later.
Chicken Satay with Cucumber Salad and Peanut Sauce
Next came Chicken Satay and it was very tasty as well. The peanut sauce was so good and it had just a hint of Thai chili's in it.  I remarked to the ladies that it would make a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Our friends are vegetarians and as we gushed over the flavors of the dish they asked Bodhi for some of the cucumber relish/salad and AMAZING peanut sauce.  Everyone remarked at just how tasty it was.  Taking a small bite of the cucumber relish, peanut sauce, and chicken made a flavorful dance in our mouths.  This dish was so good I couldn’t help but wonder if we could get more and have it as our main course.
Leanne and Jan's Spring Rolls

Our Spring Roll Sample
We were then surprised with a small tasting of the spring rolls, they were the other option as an appetizer.  They were served with a sweet chili sauce and they were also tasty and delightful. But we knew we made the right choice with the Chicken Satay.

Pad Thai with Chicken plus Peanut Sauce

Red Curry Beef *Beyond Hot :-)* with Turm. Rice
Our main course arrived a while later and I had the Red Curry Beef while the ladies had Pad Thai with chicken. Both were very tasty. The ladies asked the chef for more peanut sauce as the noodles were a bit dry. With the addition of the sauce the dish became elevated into a fabulous meal. The curry was good but I stayed jealous of the ladies meal. I enjoyed a lot of hot chili sauce and even managed to get some extra for my dish. It was pretty hot but not the hottest I have ever had. I do enjoy a VERY hot and spicy curry. It was nice that Bodhi provided the heat on the side so I could choose the level of heat I could endure. 

Homemade Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
Dessert was homemade ice cream and chocolate sauce. The sauce was homemade with dark chocolate and was bitter sweet. Very tasty when combined with the ice cream. The ice cream was almost like an ice milk and it was such a refreshing finale to an awesome meal.

Mama and Dan

Chatting Up a Storm and Having Fun :-)
We were there for close to four hours and it seemed like 15 minutes. Our conversation with not only the chef but the whole family and our new friends Jan and Leanne made the time fly. It was such an enjoyable experience that we vowed to return to try the brunch in a week or so. I personally can't wait to try the sourdough waffles. It's going to be so tasty!
 
The Kroll Family

Bodhi Striking a Pose

I asked and was taken into the kitchen while the meal was being prepared. A photo of the whole crew, Bodhi, his wife, mother, father, and even his kids all pitched in and made the meal so enjoyable.

Items for Sale

Kiddo's Artwork for Sale

Patio
After the meal we each sampled and bought three bottles of Bodhi's Coconut Cream and one bottle of Bodhi's Homemade Salad Dressing. I hope to become a friend not just a customer. Genuine people is the only way I can describe the whole family. All in all, this was a super experience that we would give 5 shamrocks.

More Beautiful Views
A View Toward Cuenca
Be aware, this is a place to go with good friends, relax, eat, talk, enjoy the view, and not worry about anything. If your in a hurry go to McDonalds. This experience is a multiple course meal that is just as much about the people you break bread with as well as the food you consume. If you enjoy food with some complexity...with layers of flavors...then this is the perfect place to go.

Note: Bodhi's also has a B&B Hostel http://www.vrbo.com/596753


Here is Bodhi's Thai Food Menu:

Chicken or vegetable Satay with peanut Sauce and Cucumber salad (4 pieces) a starter.............$8.00
Red Curry Beef with Vegetables .................................................................................................$10.00
Thai Spring Roles with Pork, Shrimp & vegetables or a vegetarian option a starter 4 pieces......$8.00
Turmeric Rice with Peas and onions.............................................................................................$2.50
Fresh Trout from our garden with Mango, green apple, cilantro, red onion salad………..........$10.00
Pad Thai noodles with either Chicken or Shrimp or vegetarian………………………….....….$10.00
Fresh Organic Salad from our Garden with our dressing..............................................................$3.50
Homemade Ice Cream with Homemade Chocolate sauce.............................................................$4.00
Beer (large sized)...........................................................................................................................$2.50
Wine (Red or White)......................................................................................................................$3.50
Vodka Lemonade………………………………………………………………………….….......$4.50
Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic)............................................................................................................$1.00
Strawberry Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic).........................................................................................$1.00

Combo Option #1: $19.00
  • Salad with Bodhi's Homemade Dressing
  • 1-piece of Chicken Satay
  • 1-Spring Roll
  • 1 Main Dish (either Red Curry Beef, Trout, or the Pad Thai)
  • Turmeric Rice included with the Red Curry Beef or Trout...not included with the Pad Thai
  • Homemade Ice-Cream with Dark Chocolate Sauce
  • Drink not included
Combo Option #2:  $15.00
  •  Salad with Bodhi's Homemade Dressing
  • 1-piece of Chicken Satay or 1-Spring Roll
  • 1 Main Dish (either Red Curry Beef, Trout, or the Pad Thai)
  • Homemade Ice-Cream with Dark Chocolate Sauce
  • Drink not included

    * Price's are subject to change. Please e-mail Bodhi to arrange for lunch, brunch, or to check for the current menus, and prices.

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