Dawn
on the Amazon
Captains Blog

The Dawn on the Amazon Café opens at 7:30am, Monday, February 1st, 2010

Ok, this is exciting for us. The Dawn on the Amazon Café opens tomorrow morning, Monday, Feb. 1st, at 7:30am.  After months of planning, and three weeks of practicing and refining our recipes, we are ready to break into the restaurant scene in Iquitos.

We occupy one of the best locations in Iquitos, on the quiet end of the boulevard with a beautiful view of the river. We have one of the best chefs in the upper Amazon to prepare the freshest ingredients for our home cooking. Every thing will be made from scratch. No store bought premixed canned sauces or boxed ingredients, no artificial flavorings or preservatives, no refined sugar or MSG.

Cooking from scratch takes a little longer. This is not fast food. This is delicious food. It is more like Grandma used to cook when the family got together. Simple orders such as soups, salads, pancakes, appetizers, etc. should be ready in 15 minutes, more complicated dishes should be served within 30 minutes or less from the time the order is made.

Today I feel very organized. I hope I still feel very organized this time tomorrow.

The Dawn on the Amazon Café opens at 7:30am, Monday, February 1st, 2010

Bill Grimes feels very organized today. That’s lucky for the Dawn on the Amazon Café

The Andy Metcalfe interview with Bill Grimes about the new Dawn on the Amazon Café

I was fortunate to be interviewed by Andy Metcalfe, founder of Holistic Local; Your Guide To Holistic Health, Green Living and Personal Growth. Below is part of the transcript from that interview.

Hi Bill, thanks for taking the time to talk with me today.

Hi Andy, Thanks for giving me this chance to chat about the new Dawn on the Amazon Café

Bill,  you’re well known in Iquitos for running tours and cruises on the
Amazon. What made you decide to open a cafe?

Dawn on the Amazon is popular for serving delicious meals accompanied by a different fresh squeezed tropical juice each meal on our tours and cruises. Our Chef Judy is undoubtedly one of the best cooks in Iquitos and the upper Amazon. We have been testing, tweaking, and refining our recipes for the past 5 years . We received such positive feedback from our guests, that I realized we were developing an important part of our business. We are planning to publish The Dawn on the Amazon Cookbook as well as open The Dawn on the Amazon Café. They are pieces of the same puzzle. When we put all the pieces together, the whole will  make a better business.

Three other reasons for opening the Dawn on the Amazon Café are location, location, location. We are located on the quiet end of the boulevard, with a beautiful view over looking the river, near the restored pre-rubber boom era chapel.

What will Dawn on the Amazon Cafe offer that’s different?

I identified a niche that no one in Iquitos is serving. I love frosty cold tropical fruit smoothies. We have the largest selection of natural ingredients for tropical fruit smoothies in the world right here in Iquitos. Smoothies are our specialty. We serve a dozen different combinations of tropical fruit juices and all natural ingredients. Right now my favorites are the Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and the Orange Pineapple Vanilla Froth but we are still experimenting so I could have different favorites tomorrow, and so could you.

I hear that you’re washing your fruit and vegetables three times in pure water.
Can you explain the reasoning for that.

We’ve been triple washing and rinsing our fruits and vegetables in purified water on our tours, cruises, and day trips for the past 5 years. The triple rinse in pure water has proven to be an effective system for preventing the “Inca’s revenge”; or in other words, travelers diarrhea and upset stomachs.

My promise to your readers, (and mine) is The Dawn on the Amazon Café will use purified water every step of the way from the market to your table, including for coffee, soup, ice, smoothies, and triple rinsed fruits and vegetables so you can be safe and sure with any of the items on our menu.

How did you choose the foods on the menu?

The Dawn on the Amazon Café will only serve what I consider to be the best food of it’s type in Iquitos. We won’t serve ceviche because I believe Arapaima Gigas has the best ceviche. We won’t serve pizza because I don’t think we can do it better than Antica. We can’t serve roast goat and tacu-tacu because Huaralino is the best. I’m confident all of the dishes we do serve are the most delicious of their style in Iquitos or I would not have them on the menu.

What menu items are you most excited about?

Besides the smoothies, I am most excited by the Sweet Iquitos Fire Baked Spicy Chicken Sandwich with Mango Salsa and the gourmet Inchicapi Soup with corn bread. Other fantastic foods are our cheese and veggie stuffed omelets, homemade pancakes, Twice baked stuffed Andean potatoes, and the Chef’s Choice, Steamed Fresh Fish Fillet. For a taste of home comfort food, The Dawn on the Amazon Café serves the best cheeseburger and french fries in town.

It all starts with the smoothies. Please meet us at the Dawn on the Amazon Café and share a smoothie with a friend.

The Andy Metcalfe Interview with Bill Grimes about the new Dawn on the Amazon Café.

Bill Grimes is president of Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises, and is getting The Dawn on the Amazon Café up and running, no later than February 1st.

More excitement about the new Dawn on the Amazon Café and Menu

You know me. I am a highly focused, type A, leader, Leo personality. As long as all this drive and determination is channeled in a positive direction it is not considered a disorder.  I’m positively focused on opening a new restaurant, and  juice, smoothie bar, that also serves beer and wine called The Dawn on the Amazon Café. That’s about all I think of. It’s most of what I work on. Maybe you will get tired of hearing about it. Maybe you are not interested in my new project to begin with. That’s  why yesterday I bought the domain name for www.dawnontheamazoncafe.com, and am starting a new web site and blog just about the Dawn on the Amazon Café. It will probably take over a week to get that web site up and running. I’ll let you know. In the mean time this is what you get here on the Captain’s blog, more Dawn on the Amazon Café news.

The tours and cruises business is good

First of all, business is good. Dawn on the Amazon I is in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve on a 7 day cruise with three nice young veterinarians. Dawncita is out on a day trip with two guests, complimentary bottle of champagne included, to the Butterfly Farm and the Bora Village, 7 guests are joining them for a half day trip at 1:00. We have several bookings in the next few months, and I am corresponding with several more potential guests. Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises doesn’t need a whole lot to step up to the next level. If I just had this Café opened and full of hungry, thirsty tourists I would be pretty proud of myself and my team. That’s for next week.

About the café, the menu, our preparation, the food, and my team

The awning for our sidewalk café

The awning frame installation was finished last night after dark, one week later than promised. The welders miscalculated a few things, and had to start over. They ended up making a very good installation, and Marmelita talked them down S/ 100 off the final price.

The awning material upholsterer is here now measuring the frame. He says he will finish three days from tomorrow. That would be Friday, January 29th. We will see. I have learned to doubt all estimates of time in Latin America. I’ll try to be patient. The material is an off white with blue trim that matches the building and our chairs. It will be attractive and practical for shade in the morning, rain protection when necessary, and make it obvious to tourists walking the boulevard that there is a café under the awning. I think we will wait until the awning is up before we open, unless that turns into two weeks. The extra few days will give us a chance to develop and improve our system.

Our simple system

Our system includes serving your meal within 30 minutes of when you place your order. This isn’t fast food. It’s home cooking from scratch. It takes longer but is fresher and better and our Chef Judy is a fabulous cook. Simple orders such as smoothies or soup, must be served within 15 minutes. I will be timing everything for the first couple of weeks, and we will make adjustments as we go. We will develop a simple system with my team of highly trained professionals, to make the work stream flow smoothly. I have the vision. I know how it should be. It will take a little time to implement and improve my system. Who am I kidding? Not you. We will always be tweaking our simple system to make it more efficient.

About the menu

Have you seen the menu? Click this link to The Dawn on the Amazon Café Menu. Note that everything on the menu is less than S/ 20 or $7.

Our signature dish, the Chef’s Choice steamed fresh fish fillet, with a salad, and your choice of the best rice ever, a twice baked stuffed Andean potato or a cup of soup, is only S/19.50 or $6.96.

The tropical fruit smoothies are addicting, so most of our combos include a smoothie with a discount. If you try one, you will want to come back for another. The baked chicken sandwich combo with your choice of smoothie is only S/ 18 or $6.43, the second highest price on the menu, but possibly the best return on investment. The fantastic sandwich by itself is only $4.82, and all of the choices of the large 16 oz. refreshing frosty smoothies are only $2.32.

Gourmet Inchicapi soup

Do you know about inchicapi soup? It’s the quintessential soup of Peruvian cuisine. There is no doubt in my mind that we serve the best Inchicapi Soup in Iquitos. Please give it a try and let me know if you agree.

Sacha Inchi Oil

Do you know about Sacha Inchi Oil? You will. The cold pressed Sacha Inchi oil is making big news for containing 45% Omega 3 fatty acid, 36% Omega 6, and 9% Omega 9. It grows here in the Amazon and it tastes great. We use it in our homemade dressing for all of our salads. Learn more from this article I wrote; Sacha Inchi Super Food, The Inca Nut.

I get to have the cake and eat it to

Once a week Marmelita enjoys making 2 or 3 Chocolate Pisco Cakes and a couple of Cinnamon Cream cakes. It’s one of her hobbies that she has turned into a thriving business. They sell out fast so if your lucky enough to get one you’ll be pretty happy. They are made with Peruvian ingredients, like pisco from Ica, and chocolate and cinnamon from the Amazon. We sell them for $1.25 a slice. The Cinnamon Cream cake goes great with our fresh brewed coffee. The Chocolate Pisco cake with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc tops a perfect meal. We pasteurize our own fresh whole milk with the cream floating on top. A cold glass of our milk fresh from the cow will make you want to eat two pieces of cake, at least it does me.

Doomed diet

I’m supposed to be on a diet, but I’m not doing so good. Opening a Café requires a lot of taste testing to get the recipe right. Those smoothies are addicting. I’m warning you now before it’s too late. I tested 4 new mixtures today. My favorite was the Orange, Pineapple Vanilla Froth. I like this new job.

No bush meat

One final thought; I made an ethical decision not to serve “bush meat” at the Dawn on the Amazon Café. My main business is providing tours and cruises to people wanting to see wildlife, not eat wildlife. You have to get two days away from Iquitos to see a large black caiman or a turtle, but you can still eat caiman nuggets in most of the popular tourist restaurants. If you want to eat “bush meat” go to those other places. Better yet, come to The Dawn on the Amazon Café and enjoy a good old fashioned cheese burger and french fries, or vegetarian steamed vegies on quinua and wash it down with a tropical smoothie. You’ll be glad you did.

More excitement about the new Dawn on the Amazon Café and menu.

Bill Grimes is feeling some pressure to make sure everything on the menu at The Dawn on the Amazon Café the best of it’s kind in Iquitos.

You are the first to see the Dawn on the Amazon Café Menu.

Welcome To The Dawn on the Amazon Café.

Our goal is to provide you with the freshest, highest quality, most delicious safe food and drink for a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a reasonable price. Our food, made fresh daily in our own kitchen, is free of artificial ingredients, MSG, and refined sugar.

My promise to you is we triple rinse all fruits and vegetables in purified water. Rinsed three times with purified water so you don’t have to worry, and so I don’t have to worry. The Dawn on the Amazon Café is the only restaurant in Iquitos that uses purified water every step of the way from the market to your table, including the coffee, soup, ice, and water. Combined with our excellent hygiene, you can enjoy the fruits and salads and every item on the menu with confidence.

We are proud to be serving the freshest, purest, fruit and vegetable juices, all-natural smoothies and world class fair-trade organic coffee in Iquitos.

Enjoy them in our casual California-Iquitos style sidewalk cafe, sitting under the shade awning overlooking the boulevard and river, or take-out our gourmet grab-n-go to your home or office. Call 600057 or 223730 to order in advance.

Drinking the freshest, purest tropical juice is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body in terms of hydration, nutrition and overall well-being.

Would you like to join the Dawn on the Amazon Explorers Club to receive a 10% discounts on all items on the menu, all Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises, and lots more benefits? Become a member today! Save money and have more fun.

Thanks for choosing The Dawn on the Amazon Café

Starter/Appetizer

(1) Mango Salsa, served with our hand made artisan chabata bread.  S/ 10.50 = $3.57

(2) Perfect Guacamole, served with our hand made artisan chabata bread.  S/ 10.50 = $3.57

(3) Salsa Criolla, served with our hand made artisan chabata bread.  S/ 10.50 = $3.57

(4) Perfect Garlic Bread, Best Olives, Cheese.  S/ 10.50 = $3.57

(5) Fried Won-Ton Spring Roll-ups.  S/ 10.50 = $3.57

Breakfast

Specialty Coffee

(6a) Fresh Brewed Roasted Peruvian Coffee, large, (two cups in one).  S/ 4 = $1.43.  With milk.  S/ 4.50 = $1.61

(6b) Fresh Brewed Organic, Fair Trade, World Class Coffee, small, (one cup).  S/ 4 = $1.43.  With milk.  S / 4.50 = $1.61

Iced Coffee, Iquitos Frappuccinnos

(6c) Iced Coffee, Iquitos Frappuccinno, strong chilled coffee, cold milk, ice cubes, first pressed brown sugar, blended; cool, delicious.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68

(6d) Iced  Coffee, Caramel Iquitos Frappuccinno,  strong chilled coffee, cold milk, double dollop of caramel sauce, ice cubes,  first pressed brown sugar, blended; cool, delicious.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68

(6e) Iced Coffee, Vanilla Iquitos Frappuccinno, strong chilled coffee, cold milk, vanilla, ice cubes, first pressed brown sugar, blended, cool, delicious.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68

(6f) Iced Coffee, Mocha Iquitos Frappuccinno, strong chilled coffee, cold milk, cocoa, chocolate, ice cubes, first pressed brown sugar, blended, cool delicious.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68

Full compliment of 16 oz. fresh juices and smoothies from the juice menu all day.

Juices

(7a) Orange Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7b) Limonada.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7c) Passion-Passion Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7d) Star Fruit Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7e) Camu-Camu Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7f) Mango-Mango Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7g) Pineapple Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

Smoothies

(7h) Melon Cream Dream, (Seasonal).  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7i) Banana Bliss.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7j) Peanut Butter Conspiracy.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7k) Mango Pineapple Orange.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7l) Orange Banana Pineapple.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7m) Orange Pineapple Vanilla Froth.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7n) Melon Pineapple Orange Honey.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(7o) Orange, Celery, Carrot, Apple.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

For an even more healthy experience, add 1 teaspoon of Maca or Cats Claw to any juice or smoothie for S/ 2 = $.71

(8) Stuffed Cheese and Vegetable Omelet, with our hand made artisan chabata bread, toasted.  S/16.50 = $5.90

(9) Pancakes, three light and fluffy pancakes with, real butter, honey and home-made tropical fruit syrup.  S/ 9.50 = $3.39

(10) The ELT Sandwich, a firm fried Egg plus Garden Goodness Sandwich on toasted chabata bread; a mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables and fresh cheese, dressed with three parts Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil, and one part fresh squeezed lime juice.  S/ 11.50 = $4.11

(11) The BLT Sandwich, Bacon plus Garden Goodness Sandwich on toasted chabata bread; a mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables and fresh cheese, dressed with three parts Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil and one part fresh squeezed lime juice.  S/ 14 = $5.00

(12) The BELT Sandwich, Bacon, firm fried egg plus Garden Goodness Sandwich on toasted chabata bread; a mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables and fresh cheese, dressed with either three parts Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil, and one part fresh squeezed lime juice.  S/ 15.50 = $5.54

(13) Super Spicy Bacon and Egg Breakfast Burrito With Gravy.  S/ 14.50 = $5.18

(14) Grannie’s Old Fashioned Home Fries with vegetables.  S/ 9.50 = $3.39

(15) Fruit Salad.  S/ 10 = $3.57

(16) Granola, or Cereal, a tropical fruit, and milk.   S/ 11 = $3.93

(17) Fresh ground peanut butter and tropical jelly sandwich.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

Gourmet Soups with Corn Bread

(18a) Holiday Corn and Potato Soup, a bowl of soup, a piece of corn bread or our hand made artisan chabata bread, and two olives, equals a meal. Our Peruvian vegetarian soup is a rich, delicious, milky mix of old fashioned corn, potatoes, peas, carrots, fresh basil and other special spices.  S/13.50 = $4.82

(18b) A cup of soup.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68, (no corn bread or olives)

(19a) Inchicapi Soup, a bowl of soup, with a piece of chicken, a piece of potato, and a piece of corn on the cob, a slice of corn bread, or our hand made artisan chabata bread, and two olives, equals a meal.  The essential Peruvian soup, made with ground peanuts, corn meal, rich chicken broth, chicken, potatoes, corn on the cob and special spices.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

(19b) A cup of soup.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68, (no corn bread or olives)

(20a) Healthy Chicken soup, simmered with fresh herbs, vegetables, and wheat berries, with a slice of corn bread, or our hand made artisan chabata bread, and two olives.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

(20b) a cup of soup.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68, (no corn bread or olives)

(21a) Vegetarian Quinoa soup, with a slice of corn bread, or our hand made artisan chabata bread, and two olives.  S/  13.50 = $4.82

(21b) a cup of soup.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68, (no corn bread or olives)

Crisp Fresh Salad

(22) Garden Salad, a small salad mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables dressed with three parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to one part lime juice, and a little salt and pepper.  S/ 7 = $2.50

(23) Garden Goddess Salad, a plate full of mixed seasonal fresh raw vegetables dressed with three parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to one part lime juice, and a little salt and pepper.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

Lunch

(24) The Cheese Burger, topped with mild red onion, tomato, lettuce and melted Edam cheese, on a hand made artisan chabata bread, baked in our oven till melted and golden brown.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

(25) Garden Goodness Sandwich, A mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables with fresh cheese, dressed with three parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to one part lime juice, with fresh cheese.  S/ 9.50 = $3.39

(26) Mex-Iquitos. Better than a fajita, with marinated beef tenderloin, guacamole and salsa criolla wrapped in a flour tortilla.  S/ 17.50 = $6.25

(27) Charred Chicken Fajita Fiesta with crisp fresh greens, chopped tomato, and a dollop of sour cream.  S/ 17.50 = $6.25

(28) Vegetarian Steamed Seasonal Vegetables On Quinoa; high protein, nutritious, super grain of the Incas.  S/ 9.50 = $3.39

Delicious Baked Chicken Sandwiches

(29) Sweet Iquitos Fire Baked Spicy Chicken Breast Sandwich, hot Rocoto pepper, sweet mango salsa, fresh pineapple, Rocoto hot sauce, cheese, on our hand made artisan Chabata bread, baked in our oven until golden brown.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

(30) Parmesan Baked Chicken Breast Sandwich; with homemade tomato, basil Italian sauce with Parmesan and fresh Peruvian cheese, on our hand made artisan Chabata bread, baked in our oven until golden brown.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

(31) Chef’s Choice, Steamed Fresh Fish Fillet; Salad and your choice of Twice Baked Stuffed Andean Potato, Best Rice Ever, or a Cup of Soup.  S/ 19.50 = $6.96

(32a) Italia-Iquitos Fresh Fusion, Better Than Marinara, on Fettuccini Pasta,  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

(32b) Italia-Iquitos, Salad, Garlic Bread, Olives Combo.  S/ 19.50 = $6.96

(33a) Stir Fried Sweet Snow Peas and Quail Eggs on Fried Rice.  S/ 15.50 = $5.54

(33b) Stir Fried Sweet Snow Peas and Quail Eggs on Fried Rice, with Fried Won-ton Spring Roll Ups Combo.  S/ 19.50 = $4.82

Individual Portions

(34) Andean French Fries.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(35) The Best Rice Ever; brown rice with toasted Brazil nuts.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(36) Brown Rice.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(37) White Rice.  S/ 4.50 = $1.60

(38) Twice Baked Stuffed Andean Potato, with mild roasted garlic, sour cream, butter, cheese, and green onions. S/ 5.50.  $1.96

(39) Sweet Potato.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(40) Boiled Andean Potato.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(41) Fried Rice.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(42) Bacon.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(43a) Guacamole.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(43b) Avocado and lime.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(44) Salsa Criolla.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(45) Mango Salsa.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(46) Garlic Bread.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(47) Olives.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96

(48) Corn Bread.  S/ 2.00 = $.71

(49a) 1 Chabata Bread, untoasted.   S/ 1.50 = $.54

(49b) A plate of toasted, buttered, sliced, chabata bread S/ 5.50 = $1.96

Dessert

(50) Chocolate Pisco Cake.  S/ 4 = $1.43

(51) Cinnamon Cream Cake.  S/ 4 = $1.43

(52) Pasteurized Whole Milk, right out of the cow to our pasteurizer to you. The only safe fresh milk in Iquitos.  S/ 4 = $1.43

Beer

(53) Small Cuzqueña, Iquiteña, or Pilsen, cold and frosty.  S/ 4 = $1.43

(54) Large Cuzqueña, cold and frosty.  S/ 6 = $2.14

(55) Large Cuzqueña de Trigo, (Wheat).  S/7 = $2.50

(56) Large Pilsen, Iquiteña, or Cristal, cold and frosty.  S/ 5 = $1.79

Wine

(57) Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009, Concha Y Toro Vineyard, Chile…Fresh intense aromas of peach, and tropical fruits. Perfect to share with fish, salad, soups, chicken, and vegetarian dishes.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

(58) Pinot Noir, Reserve 2008, Casillero del Diablo, Concha y Toro Vineyard, Chile, Fruity flavors of raspberries, with soft points of coffee and chocolate.  Versatile, goes well with meats, chicken, vegetarian dishes, cheese, and even fish.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82

Champagne

(59) Tabernero, per bottle.  S/ 26 = $9.29

Bottled Beverages

(60) Soda.  S/ 2 = $.71

(61) Bottled Water.  S/ 2.50 = $.89

(62) 7-Up or Guarana, 500 mil.  S/ 2.50 = $.89

Snacks

(63) Banana Chips.  S/ 1.50 = $.54

(64) Farina.  S/ 1.50 = $.54

(65) Cookies/Biscuits.  S/ 1 = $.36

Rainforest Herbal Products, Pure, Organic, Kosher, Fair Trade

(66a) Peruvian Jungle Chocolate Bar, 75% cocoa (Organic, Fair Trade Dark Chocolate).  S/ 12 = $4.29

(66b) Peruvian Jungle Chocolate Bar, 55% cocoa (organic, Fair Trade Chocolate).  S/ 12 = $4.29

(67a) Sun Dried Peruvian Olives (100 % Certified Organic, Kosher), 8 oz.  S/ 24 = $8

(67b) 100 Olives unpitted, S/ 50 = $17.88

(67c) 100 Olives, pitted, stuffed with pimentos,  S/ 50 = $17.88

(68) Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 liter bottle.  S/ 59.60   = $19.85

(69) Maca Powder, 9 oz.  S/ 25.30 = $8.45

(70) Coffee, Peruvian, Organic, Fair Trade, 1/2 Kilo.  S/ 57 = $19

Ayahuasca Diet Menu

We realize there is a large gray area of what is an acceptable diet from one Ayahuasca Center to another, and from one dieter to another. We are committed to accommodating the variety of diets and information into one menu. Everything on the menu will not be appropriate for everyone. Please pick and choose what is best for your situation based on the ingredients listed. Please don’t say, for instance, “I can’t believe he has basil and garlic in his pasta sauce.” If basil and garlic are not part of your diet, don’t order the pasta sauce. I think we can all agree that pork, fat, excess oil, pepper, and hot pepper, should be avoided before taking Ayahuasca.  This menu eliminates those ingredients from the recipes, and minimizes salt.

Full Compliment of 16 oz. fresh juices and smoothies. (No salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)Add honey,  S/ 2 = $.71

For an even more healthy experience, add 1 teaspoon of Maca or Cats Claw to any juice or smoothie.  S/ 2 = $.71

Juices

(70a) Orange Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70b) Limonada.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70c) Passion-Passion Fruit Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70d) Star Fruit Juice.  S/  6.50 = $2.32

(70f) Camu-Camu Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70g) Mango-Mango.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70h) Pineapple Juice.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

Smoothies

(70i) Mango, Pineapple, Orange.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70j) Orange, Banana, Pineapple.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70k) Orange, Pineapple, Vanilla Froth.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70l) Melon, Pineapple, Orange, Honey.  S/ 6.50 = $2.32

(70m) Orange, Celery, Carrot, Apple.  S/6.50 = $2.32

Breakfast

(71a) Fruit Salad.  S/ 10 = $3.57 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

(71b) Fruit Salad with Granola.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

(72) Pancakes, three light and fluffy pancakes with honey and home-made tropical fruit syrup.  S/ 9.50 = $3.39 (a tiny amount of salt, and oil, no pepper or dairy)

(73) Two boiled eggs.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

(74) Garden Goodness Sandwich, a mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables on our hand made artisan Chabata bread, dressed with only a squeeze of lime.  S/ 9 = $3.21 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

Soups

(75a) Healthy Chicken Soup, simmered with fresh herbs, vegetables, and wheat berries.  S/ 12.50 = $4.46 (No salt, pepper, sugar, dairy or oil)

(75b) a cup of soup.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68

(76a) Vegetarian Quinoa Soup.  S/ 12.50 = $4.46 (No salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

(76b) a cup of soup.  S/ 7.50 = $2.68

Crisp Fresh Salad

(77) Garden Salad, a small salad mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables, dressed with fresh squeezed lime juice, or if you prefer, left naked.  S/ 7 = $2.50 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

(78) Garden Goddess Salad, a plate full of mixed seasonal fresh raw vegetables, dressed with fresh squeezed lime juice, or if you prefer, left naked.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

Lunch

(74) Garden Goodness Sandwich, a mix of seasonal fresh raw vegetables dressed in fresh squeezed lime juice, or if you prefer, naked.  S/ 9 = $3.21 (No salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

(79) Charred Chicken Fajita Fiesta, with crisp greens chopped tomato, wrapped in flour tortillas.  S/ 17.50 = $6.25 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, tiny bit of olive oil)

(80) Simple Chicken Sandwich with mixed garden vegetables dressed in fresh squeezed lime juice, unless you order it plain.

(81) Vegetarian Steamed Seasonal Vegetables on Quinoa; super grain of the Incas.  S/ 9.50 = $3.39 (no salt, pepper, sugar, honey, dairy, raisins, or oil)

(82) Chef’s Choice, Steamed Fresh Fish Fillet, a salad, and your choice of boiled sweet potato, boiled Andean potato, brown rice, white rice, or a cup of soup.  S/ 19.50 = $6.96 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, or oil)

(83) Italian Vegetarian Basil Sauce on Fettuccini Pasta, contains a small amount of extra virgin olive oil.  S/ 13.50 = $4.82 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy)

Individual Portions

(84) Sweet Potatoes.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, oil)

(85) Boiled Andean Potatoes.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96 ( no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, oil)

(86) Brown Rice.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, oil)

(87) White Rice.  S/ 4.50 = $1.61 (no salt, pepper, sugar, dairy, oil)

(88) Avocado and Lime.  S/ 5.50 = $1.96 (no salt, pepper, sugar, oil)

(89) Farina.  S/ 1.50 = $.54 (no salt, pepper, sugar, oil)

We also provide the best run tours and cruises in Iquitos from the Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises office next door. Ask about our day trips. They are fun. You will like them. Including the complimentary bottle of Champagne. Relax! Let us take care of everything. Let’s celebrate!

Thanks for choosing The Dawn on the Amazon Café. The next time you are thirsty or hungry or just want to sit in a comfortable chair and sip a cold beer watching life on the boulevard go by, you will be welcome again.

The Dawn on the Amazon Café Menu. Did you read anything that sharpened your appetite?

Bill Grimes is a big fan of the Dawn on the Amazon Café.

Today Matt and I ate the best quarter pound hamburger, french fries and frosty juice in Iquitos at The Dawn on the Amazon Café.

This afternoon Matt and I agreed we ate the best burgers and fries in Iquitos. The ground beef was freshly ground from brisket, a little salt and pepper, a slice of Edam cheese melted, with a good fresh bun, a slice of tomato, onion, and a little lettuce, simple, no sauce, but ketchup, mustard, or mayo on the side. Matt and I used the ketchup on our fries. The juice was cantaloupe, blended with whole milk, blended with ice. Very good, sort of like a milk shake. Matt is a big eater and he said he was full afterward, so it must have been enough for a meal, a combo,…the Captain’s Combo.

We had near perfect weather in Iquitos all last week, and it continues today. Overcast with a breeze, around 80 degrees.

Did you read the Dawn on the Amazon Jungle Cabin, Llanchama Village post? I thought it was an interesting subject, fairly well written, but the next day I got an email from a young couple that had found the Jungle Cabin page on our web site and wanted to come, but asked for more information. I sent them to the blog article and have not heard back from them. Maybe they didn’t like the part about Farley Mowat eating rat guts to gain balanced nutrition…or were afraid I would apply that to their menu. Oh well, you never know. It’s a real adventure, in the jungle, not a pretend one.

It isn’t easy starting even a simple little café with a small menu, at least for the first time. On our cruises we never pay any attention to portion size or food expenses per portion. We only know how much we spend on the total groceries for the cruise and divide that per day per guest, but not per meal or dish. There is always more food than can be eaten. That is what we want.

For the Dawn on the Amazon Café, we need to know exactly what the portion size is, and it should be enough, but not too much. We need to know exactly what the expenses are, not only for that dish but for all of the miscellaneous items like wages, napkins, sauces, salad dressings, dish detergent, etc. to determine how much we need to charge to make a profit.

Fortunately it isn’t like starting over, we have great recipes, a great chef, and a system, but there is still a lot to figure out before we can make an interesting, compelling menu with the exact prices and deliver the best food in Iquitos to our guests tables, simply, easily, and quickly.

We don’t want to charge too much. We want you to feel comfortable coming here. I expect this will be an important piece of the puzzle to make Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises, and Dawn on the Amazon Explorers Club more successful.

I know why most people don’t call restaurants cafés. It is a real pain in the “fingers” on my keyboards to type the é. I wish I had kept track of how many é I have already typed and never even served a juice or bowl of soup yet.

We are planning on opening next Monday, January 25th. Our Chef Judy is working every day perfecting our portion size, presentation, speed of service, quality of food, and consistency. Every pot and pan, knife and cutting board, salt and pepper shaker, cup and glass, ice tray and pitcher, microwave and blender, and everything else, will be used several times before we open, so I think the objections to eating at a new restaurant will be avoided. We will be up to speed with everything clean and sanitary on the first day.

Marmelita and I have been thinking, and talking about this project for three or four months but we have only been actively working on it for three weeks, so next Monday will be a month. Most of our friends probably think it has been a slow process to get this far since they have been hearing about it for months. It seems like a long time to me also. I meant to open the first of the year but reality has a habit of getting in the way. Actively running three other business, our Peru vacation to Huaraz, Christmas, New Years and blogging were only part of the reality.

I do my best when I can focus on one project at a time and now I am focused on the Dawn on the Amazon Café. Marmelita and Chef Judy are on board. It is coming together. Today my Café crew received their graduation certificate from the Iquitos School of Restaurant Hygiene. The mountain of paperwork has been surmounted. The time for government officials is over. The time to prepare the best food in Iquitos is at hand.

Today Matt and I ate the best quarter pound hamburger, french fries and frosty juice in Iquitos at The Dawn on the Amazon Café.

Bill Grimes is eating great hamburgers and french fries at the Dawn on the Amazon Café.