El Tres is the newest venture of the Gorki Group, which has several differently-themed restaurants and bars in Málaga. El Tres is their “classic haute cuisine” spot and local chef Rosa Serrano has created a menu that blends Spanish, Basque and French influences.
The restaurant in smack in the centre of Málaga and is tastefully decorated with a small terrace outside. Aside from the regular menu there are a couple of tasting menus available, which seem to be good value for money. As I was with four serious foodie friends we opted to order several media raciones from the a la carte menu and share them (tapas style!). It was a fun way to try what appealed to us rather than sticking to a set tasting menu. My favourites were the smoked eel terrine, octopus & rabbit smoked rice, and crispy skin cochinillo.
Service was terrific and we enjoyed a few wines from the very well thought out list. It was an altogether lovely experience sharing great food with dear friends. Only downer was getting our bill and finding a 2.50€ PER PERSON “service charge”… 12.50€ for the five of us. What? When will restaurants get that they should factor in these fixed costs (napkins, table cloths… toilet paper?) and not tackily tack them on after the end of an already pricey meal. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Strachan 7
Málaga
Tel 952 223 364
€ € € € €
Food 9 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 7
amuse-bouche (can’t remember what it was…)
porra Antequera with jamón & chopped egg
smoked eel terrine with Williams pear compote
José Pariente verdejo
crispy cooked mixed veg with a velouté of creamy jamón
line-caught hake in salsa verde with clams and confit potatoes
monkfish wrapped in cured pork cheek with crab cream and artichokes
octopus & rabbit smoked rice
cochinillo with crispy skin and apple confit
Galician beef tartare prepared at our table, served with crispy veg & chips
squab with carrot purée and toasts topped with its livers
