Author Archives: Shawn

Vinería Cervantes

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vineria cervantes
Just one door over from the “mothership” El Tapeo de Cervantes, the new Vinería is pleasantly light and spacious, with large windows that open onto outdoor seating, and a small dining area at the back. The menu is pretty much the same as at El Tapeo, and there is the same great selection of wines too. The kitchen is open all day from 15.30 – midnight (basically it takes over when El Tapeo closes after lunch and then keeps going), which is especially good for visitors. Looking forward to visiting again soon.

Carcer 10
Tel 951 43 97 09
€ € €

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Food 7 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 8

vineria cervantes (3)

vineria cervantes (10)cured ham rolls with arugula and sheep cheese

vineria cervantes boqueronesboquerones al vinagre with salmorejo and guacamole

vineria cervantes gambasbattered prawns with cilantro alioli

vineria cervantes empanadasoxtail empanada with sofrito

vineria cervantes (2)

vineria cervantes (4)

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La Luz de Candela

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Updated September 2015
la luz candela

Located in the slightly oddly named “Two Sidewalks Street”, a short walk up from Plaza Merced, newly-opened La Luz de Candela (Candlelight) bills itself as a “slow food” restaurant offering a seasonal mediterranean cuisine. The setting is attractive and relaxed, neither traditional or modern, and the staff are super friendly and helpful.

The French-influenced menu is fairly modest, but does include an interesting selection of tapas, medias and raciones, and the food was very good. Also lovely wines by the glass. The atmosphere was still a bit quiet, but should pick up as it becomes better known. Get there first!

Dos Aceros, 18
Málaga
Tel 951 382 251 / 648 853 253
€ € €

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Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

luz candela (3)

luz candela (6)amuse bouche

luz candela lubinasea bass with fennel cream and saffron

luz candela turbotturbot and veggies with parsley butter

luz candela mollejaslamb sweetbreads, cream of asparagus, new potatoes

luz candela secretogrilled secreto Ibérico, roasted potatoes with thyme, peach chutney

luz candela osso bucoosso buco with mini scalloped potatoes

luz candela chocolatebitter chocolate and orange quenelles

luz candela teamthe Luz de Candela team

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luz candela (2)

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Updated September 2015

La Barra del Soho

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la barra soho (1)
I actually hate writing negative reviews, but here we go. Stopped in at this brand new bar in Málaga’s Soho barrio. Inside there are only four tables and three were pushed together with a reserved sign on it. The other had two women sitting at it. So I sat at the “bar” (actually a ledge running along the wall) and asked if I could move to the single table when the women left, and was told I could. I ordered a drink and a tapa from the surly barman and a few minutes later when the table became free I was told I couldn’t sit there because suddenly it was reserved too (though it stayed empty for the whole time I was there). Whatever.  I had a couple more tapas and went to the bar to pay. Surly barman turned out to be the owner, and when I told him it cost nothing to smile he got even surlier. Then when I told him the “service” at this establishment made me feel like not coming back he said… “then don’t come back”.  WTF?

So okay, I won’t go back. And I suggest you don’t bother either. Lots of other great places to eat in Málaga where the owners actually care about their clientelle.

Food was standard gastro-bar fare, by the way. Nothing special.

Tomás Heredia, 4
Málaga
Tel 656 42 02 55
€ € €

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Food 5 | Wine 6 | Service 1 | Ambiance 2

la barra soho (3)where I sat

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la barra soho (9)where I didn’t sit

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Óleo

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oleo
Óleo is the popular sushi and tapas fusion restaurant attached to the Contemporary Arts Centre in Málaga. The décor is light, open and modern, and includes “bench” seating for some of the tables, as well as an outside terrace. The tapas menu (also available as media raciones) is modest, but includes a good mix of traditional and more innovative dishes, and there are also salads, and meat and fish dishes in larger plates, as well as a range of sushi options, all of excellent quality. Our favourite dish was the jurel ceviche served with lime – a spectacular bite. Service was efficient and friendly, and it’s well worth stopping here as part of your visit to CAC.

Alemania s/n
Contemporary Arts Centre
Málaga
Tel 952 219 062
€ € € €

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Food 9 | Wine 9 | Service 9 | Ambiance 8

oleo (2)

oleo bravaspatatas bravas with spicy foam

oleo cevichejurel ceviche with lime

oleo prawn rollscrispy soy-marinated prawn rolls

oleo tempura makitempura tuna maki

oleo kebabgoat pinchito with ras el hanout and onion chutney

oleo viet rollsbaby goat Vietnamese roll

oleo (1)

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Sr Lobo Café

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Updated September 2015

sr lobo
Although basically a burger and sandwich bar, the recently opened Sr Lobo Cafe is a refreshing change: an independent where the quality of the food is exceptional, and the whole enterprise carried off with such humour and panache. Owner Victor and staff are friendly, welcoming and informative, and this is an important element of what makes this place tick.

The bar is light and open, and the tongue-in-cheek “graffiti” on various sections of the walls is well worth a read. The aforementioned burgers are all made with Retinto beef, a special breed of cow that is native to Cádiz, and are served with very good chips. And aside from the hearty sandwiches, there are salads and snacks such as hummus and nachos. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, be sure to check out the daily specials and lunchtime set menu. It’s a fun spot with a great vibe and has become a must-visit for me.

Somera 10
Málaga
Tel
€ € €

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Food 9 | Wine 8 | Service 9 | Ambiance 8

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sr lobo (9)give me the coffee and no one gets hurt

sr lobo victorowner Victor pouring wine

sr lobo tinto limona very generous tinto con limón

sr lobo croquetascroquetas de puchero

sr lobo kevin baconthe Kevin Bacon

sr lobo fetaLondon Burger with hummus, onion, apple, feta cheese

sr lobo picantePicante Pedante with guacamole, red pepper, cheddar and chillis

sr lobo chipotle

Chipotle Burger with crispy onions, tomato, cheddar

sr lobo burger burgerBurger Burger with bacon, cheese, onions and pickle

sr lobo cecina burgerMatadero with manchego cheese, cecina and special mayo

sr lobo bravaspatatas bravas with two sauces (spicy & mild)

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Updated September 2015

Café de Estraperlo

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Updated September 2017

On the edge of the artsy Soho barrio and a stone’s throw from the Plaza Marina and Málaga Port, this hip and cosy café-bar in a charming little square couldn’t be in a better location. And since construction was completed last year on the Roommate Valeria next door, the square and terraza are more inviting than ever. Open for breakfast, and then for charcuterie snacks and drinks afternoon and evening, along with cocktails, Café de Estraperlo has that perfect neighbourhood bar feel and it’s one of my favourite places to stop in for a glass of wine and a chat. Rumour has it that tapas may soon be happening. Meanwhile you can enjoy the relaxed vibe and also the local art on the walls, which changes on a regular basis.

Plaza Poeta Alfonso Canales 4
Málaga
Tel
€ € €

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Food 7 | Wine 9 | Service 9 | Ambiance 9

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cafe estraperlo (2)Beer O’clock!

estraperlo mark joseco-owners Mark & José

estraperlo (3)

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Updated September 2017

Cuchara de Palo

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ajonegro

Cuchara de Palo (formerly Ajonegro) is a bit of a walk out from the centre, but it is worth the effort. Located in the NH Hotel, it’s not the sort of place I’d normally be attracted to, but the setting is spacious and bright, with lots of natural light from the massive floor to ceiling windows. There is also a terrace, though it’s on a rather trafficky street.

The menu hasn’t changed much since it changed hands. You can find both tapas and raciones and it’s a nice mix of traditional and fusion (mostly Asian influences). Must tries include the beautiful artichoke “flowers”, which taste as gorgeous as they look, and we also liked the courgette “pasta” with watercress pesto and the grilled presa Ibérica. The wine list is interesting with lots of good options by the glass.

Service was a bit… weird… with the waiter first telling us we couldn’t drink the tap water because it came from the well (huh?) and that we’d have to order mineral water. We didn’t. Though perhaps he was just having a bad day because he seemed to warm up after awhile and get a bit chatty. But really… a smile goes a long way.

Avda Alcalde Álvaro Domecq, 10
Jerez de la Frontera
Tel 956 33 23 71
€ € € €

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Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 7

ajonegro bar

cuchara de palo (3)

cuchara de palo (2)

ajonegro artichokesgrilled artichoke flowers with olive oil

cuchara de palo cazoncazón (marinated small shark) in batter

ajonegro burgermini beef burger with bacon

ajonegro chickenpanko breaded chicken with guacamole

cuchara de palo calabacin pastacourgette “pasta” with pancetta, watercress pesto & parmesan

ajonegro prawnsking prawns in tempura with kimchee

cuchara de palo rib stripsstrips of pork ribs with shiitakes and bamboo shoot

cuchara de palo presagrilled presa Ibérica with chips

cuchara de palo (4)

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Albores

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Updated June 2016

alboresAlbores has more than doubled in size since my first visits, having expanded into the space next door. What used to be the entire restaurant is now a bar area with both low and high tables, and the new spacious dining area is stylish and comfortable. There is also an ample terrace on the pedestrianised street. And the location is also very good, just of the Plaza Arenal. The only thing that hasn’t kept up is the service. Head-set wearing staff are now less friendly and efficient than previously.

The menu, with daily specials, has also seemed to have suffered after the expansion in terms of quality and consistency, and tends to be hit and miss. The all-day kitchen makes it a popular spot for tourists, but it’s definitely not as good as it used to be.

Calle Consistorio 12
Jerez de la Frontera
All-day kitchen 13.00 – midnight
Tel 956 32 02 66
€ € € €

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Food 7 | Wine 8 | Service 5 | Ambiance 7

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albores grilled veggrilled veggies

albores puntillitaspuntillitas (small whole squid)

albores pulpo tempuraoctopus in tempura

albores calamarcalamares

albores croquetasprawn fritters

albores croquetasprawn and spinach croquetas with pistachio sauce

albores tuna ventrescagrilled tuna belly with creamy soy sauce and tomato jam

albores morcillacrispy grilled morcilla de Burgos

albores albondigasmeatballs and chips

albores keftakofte lamb kebab with yoghurt sauce

albores presapresa Ibérica a la plancha

albores carrilladacarrillada Ibérica

albores presa salmorejopresa Ibérica with salmorejo and jamón Ibérico

albores profiteralsprofiteroles

albores browniechocolate brownie

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Updated June 2016

Albalá

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Updated February 2018


A stylish modern restaurant with a small tapas bar area and covered terrace, located just down the road from the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art. Chef Israel Ramos has created a pleasant menu of contemporary tapas and raciones, accompanied by a very good wine list. Some favourites include the asparagus in tempura, tuna tartare with guacamole, and the secreto meatballs. Reservations recommended.

Conjunto Residencial Valdespino 6 /corner Divina Pastora
Jerez de la Frontera
Tel 956 34 64 88
€ € € €

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Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 8

albala (2)

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albala tortillitatortilla de camarones

albala croquetascroquetas de rabo de toro (oxtail)

albala asparagusasparagus in tempura with soy mayo

albala tacocochinita taco with chilli threads

tuna tartare with guacamole and tomato in lime

albala chili prawnschili prawns

albala albondigassecreto Ibérico meatballs with baby broadbeans and baby octopus

albala pulpo papadaconfit pork jowl with grilled octopus and artichokes

wild boar tenderloin

presa Ibérica with curried hummus

apple tart

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Updated February 2018

Casa Curro Montoya

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curro montoya
I first came here a couple of years ago for a quick couple of tapas and quite liked it; enough to come back and try it again when I was back in Carmona recently, and I’m glad I did. It is in many ways a fairly typical neighbourhood bar, with a little terrace outside, a cosy bar area inside, and a dining room upstairs in a kind of split-level arrangement, with lots of dark wood, deep reds and photos on every available wall surface. But two things really made it stand out from the crowd.

First was the genuinely warm welcome from owners Germán and Bernardi, ably assisted by barman Rafael. Germán, whose grandfather (Curro Montoya) was a famous flamenco singer, moved to Carmona from his home town of Lora del Rio thirteen years to wed Bernardi (born in Carmona) and open the bar. As Bernardi told us with pride, this bar is a story of love. All this contributed to a fun and friendly atmosphere that had us chatting to our hosts, as well as with other customers at the bar.

Second (of course) was the food. That we stayed for six tapas shared between two (we don’t usually eat that much at one sitting) is a tribute in itself, but a couple of tapas deserve special mention. The grilled artichokes with jamón and olive oil were one of the best bites I’ve had in recent memory, and the morcilla de Burgos (black pudding with rice) on little toasts, topped with tomato jam, was superb. Fab grilled meats too. I loved everything about this bar and hope to be back soon.

Santa Maria de Gracia 11
Carmona
Tel 954 196 027
€ € €

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Food 9 | Wine 8 | Service 9 | Ambiance 9

curro montoya (5)

curro montoya artichokes jamongrilled artichokes topped with jamón and drizzled with evoo

curro montoya mojamamojama (cured tuna) and manchego cheese on toast

curro montoya chocossuper crispy and tender chocos (cuttlefish)

curro montoya morcillagrilled morcilla de Burgos with goat cheese and tomato jam

curro montoya presagrilled presa Ibérica

curro montoya secretogrilled secreto Ibérico

curro montoya (16)co-owners Bernardi and Germán, and barman Rafael
(photo of Curro Montoya in the background)

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