Sr Lobo Café

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Shawn

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
€ € €

Food 9 | Wine 8 | Service 9 | Ambiance 8

sr lobo (4)

sr lobo (3)

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

sr lobo victor owner Victor pouring wine

sr lobo tinto limon a very generous tinto con limón

sr lobo croquetas croquetas de puchero

sr lobo kevin bacon the Kevin Bacon

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

sr lobo picante Picante Pedante with guacamole, red pepper, cheddar and chillis

sr lobo chipotle

Chipotle Burger with crispy onions, tomato, cheddar

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

sr lobo cecina burger Matadero with manchego cheese, cecina and special mayo

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

sr lobo (16)

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Cuchara de Palo

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Shawn

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
€ € € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 7

ajonegro bar

cuchara de palo (3)

cuchara de palo (2)

ajonegro artichokes grilled artichoke flowers with olive oil

cuchara de palo cazon cazón (marinated small shark) in batter

ajonegro burger mini beef burger with bacon

ajonegro chicken panko breaded chicken with guacamole

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

ajonegro prawns king prawns in tempura with kimchee

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

cuchara de palo presa grilled presa Ibérica with chips

cuchara de palo (4)

cuchara de palo (1)

Albores

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Shawn

Updated June 2016

albores Albores 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
€ € € €

Food 7 | Wine 8 | Service 5 | Ambiance 7

albores (4)

albores (2)

albores grilled veg grilled veggies

albores puntillitas puntillitas (small whole squid)

albores pulpo tempura octopus in tempura

albores calamar calamares

albores croquetas prawn fritters

albores croquetas prawn and spinach croquetas with pistachio sauce

albores tuna ventresca grilled tuna belly with creamy soy sauce and tomato jam

albores morcilla crispy grilled morcilla de Burgos

albores albondigas meatballs and chips

albores kefta kofte lamb kebab with yoghurt sauce

albores presa presa Ibérica a la plancha

albores carrillada carrillada Ibérica

albores presa salmorejo presa Ibérica with salmorejo and jamón Ibérico

albores profiterals profiteroles

albores brownie chocolate brownie

albores (1)

albores (5)

albores (3)

Updated June 2016

Albalá

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Shawn

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
€ € € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 8

albala (2)

albala (13)

albala tortillita tortilla de camarones

albala croquetas croquetas de rabo de toro (oxtail)

albala asparagus asparagus in tempura with soy mayo

albala taco cochinita taco with chilli threads

tuna tartare with guacamole and tomato in lime

albala chili prawns chili prawns

albala albondigas secreto Ibérico meatballs with baby broadbeans and baby octopus

albala pulpo papada confit pork jowl with grilled octopus and artichokes

wild boar tenderloin

presa Ibérica with curried hummus

apple tart

albala (3)

albala (10)

albala (14)

Updated February 2018

KGB

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Shawn

Updated August 2015

kgb

KGB is just off Calle Larios, in the same spot where michelin super-star chef Dani García first started off the gourmet tapas scene in Málaga with La Moraga, and later Manzanilla. Up until recently run by Cordobés michelin-star chef Kisko García, KGB continues to offer fusion gourmet tapas with an every-changing selection of internationally-influenced dishes. New management will continue to spy-out new influences.

The menu hasn’t changed much, just a few tweaks here and there. Missing is the bulltail burger, served with a killer “au jus” mayonnaise, but it can still be found across the street at Wendy Gamba (also run by the KGB group). Favourites here include the innovative takes on patatas bravas and flamenquín, and the glazed pork rib taco.

The decor is modern, with clean lines and plenty of light from the big windows, contrasting nicely with views of the old traditional street outside. It’s busy and buzzy, so be sure to get there early to grab a spot at the bar.

Fresca 12
Málaga
Tel. 952 226 851
€€€€

Food 7 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 7

kgb (2)

kgb (3)

kgb botani Botani

“gastrobar estado puro” inspired patatas bravas

kgb mackerel blow-torched mackerel with soy, lime and herbs

kgb prawns king prawns in bric pastry with mint

croquetas de puchero

Ibérico stuffed chipirón (squid)

kgb (10) pork cheek burger with mayo and gorgonzola cheese

kgb cochinillo cochinillo onna bun with curry sauce and rocket

Iberian “pizza”

flamenquin flamenquín

kgb ribs glazed ribs with cabbage and avocado cream

kgb (1)

kgb (4)
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Updated August 2015

Saint Germain

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Shawn

Updated August 2018

Just off the Gran Vía near the Cathedral, Saint Germain is the kind of place I might have walked right by (and probably have done on previous visits to Granada) if not for the guidance of long-time resident, composer-musician and bon vivant John @benzo8. Noteworthy for its original tapas and extensive selection of wines, Saint Germain is also the only Proust-themed bar I have ever been to. There are photos, framed texts and other memorabilia pertaining to the famed French novelist on practically every surface that isn’t occupied by wine. Which is everywhere else. Wine bottles on the bar, in buckets, inside cabinets, on wall shelves, even caged inside a “chicken coop”.

It’s a cosy dimly-lit place with two small bar sections inside and a little sidewalk terrace. We mostly stuck with the complimentary tapas, though on one occasion ordered a house speciality, their own herbed beef saladilla, which is outstanding. Owner Juanjo is a whiz with sauces and his tapas are as interesting and innovative as they are delicious. Just go and leave yourself in the staff’s very capable hands when it comes to food and wine recommendations – you won’t be disappointed. Clearly popular with the locals, it fills up fast so try to get there early if you can. Fabulous wines, delicious tapas, wonderful ambiance – and excellent value for money.

Postigo Velutti 4
Granada
Tel 958 20 00 37
€ € €

Food 8 | Wine 9 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

saint germain (7)

saint germain (8) wine cabinet

saint germain chilled wines wine on the bar

saint germain salmorejo complimentary garlicky salmorejo

potato salad and tripe with garbanzos (complimentary)

saint germain pate complimentary housemade chunky paté

saint germain fishy piggy complimenary delicious spicy fishy stuff on toast… and a piggy cracker

saint germain tapa 1 complimentary mystery tapa 1

saint germain tapa 2 complimentary mystery tapa 2

crusty hot toasted saladilla filled with herbed beef, manchego, jamón

saint germain wines recommendations from our barman

saint germain tom Tom!

saint germain wines (2) wine on the wall

saint germain caged wines wine in chicken-coop style cages

saint germain (6)

Updated August 2018

Mercado de San Agustín

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Shawn

san-agustin [photo by Alfredo Aguilar]

The Mercado de San Agustin is Granada’s principal central food market near the Cathedral. Like a lot of such markets, it has suffered (sadly) a decline in its core business, but has recently begun to re-invent itself. The original 1970s market building (before that San Agustín was an outdoor street market) has been given a major facelift, and a new gourmet section with a number of bars – run by San Agustín Gourmet – have been added to the traditional food stalls.

Unlike many similar places that have opened around Spain, calling themselves markets when they are actually gourmet food courts, San Agustín still functions as a provisions market. In some cases you can purchase fresh items from a stall and have them prepared at one of the new bars, which we did, ordering 300 grams of secreto Ibérico from Conchita the butcher (3€) and for another 3€ Tendido Gourmet grilled it and brought it to our table. But speaking of “tables” this is probably the main negative about the new set up, as there aren’t many places to sit. We were there early on a Wednesday afternoon and had no trouble finding a tall table – handily just outside the Vinoteca – but one of us had to stay there to guard our spot while another went out in search of food. I imagine it would get a bit frustrating trying to do this when the place is packed and the bars and food stalls are all busy. If you just want fried fish and seafood, Bajo de Guía has its own small bar area, though it’s standing room only. For the rest, it’s all take-away and then take your chance finding somewhere to eat either inside the market or outside on the terrace. But overall, a pleasant space to either shop or stop for a beer and a snack.

Plaza San Agustín
Granada
Tel 958 278 279
Mercado San Agustín Website
€ € € €

Food 7 | Wine 8 | Service 6 | Ambiance 7

san agustin (2) san agustin (1) cones of camarones

san agustin (4) san agustin (3) takeaway paella

san agustin (6) san agustin (7) pinchos

san agustin (8) san agustin (9) san agustin (13) puntillitas (baby squid)
san agustin (14) tortillita de camarones

san agustin (15) croquetas de puchero

san agustin (16) grilled secreto Ibérico

san agustin tendido cooking our secreto at Tendido

san agustin (11) san agustin (10) carabineros

san agustin (12)

san agustin (17) conchas finas

san agustin (5)

Cunini

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Shawn

cunini

One of Granada’s best known fish and seafood bars (actually a bar in front, and a restaurant in the back, with a terrace outside), Cunini is appropriately located behind the cathedral and Plaza Bib Rambla in the old fish market square. It’s been an institution in Granada as long as anyone can remember, and the bar area in particularly is almost always packed and noisy.

We stopped in late after a bit of a tapeo around town and sampled a couple of the complimentary tapas (lukewarm soggy hake and some “okay” croquetas) so when we ordered a final round of drinks I asked the waiter if we could have something a bit nicer. We were promptly brought a big dish of ensaladilla rusa which was promptly taken away again when I said I couldn’t eat mayonnaise (lies, lies…). But then we were pleasantly surprised by the arrival of some fresh tasty prawns from nearby Motril. So, while we weren’t impressed overall, I think Cunini deserves another visit to try out some of the dishes from the menu.

Plaza Pescadería, 14
Tel 958 267 587
€ € € €

Food 6 | Wine 6 | Service 5 | Ambiance 7

cunini bar area bar area

cunini fritos complimentary fried hake

cunini croquetas complimentary seafood croquetas

cunini gambas complimentary gambas from Motril

cunini gamba hola!

cunini seafood display fish and seafood display

cunini bar the bar

cunini dining dining area

cunini sign

La Cosmopolita

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Shawn

Updated August 2015

Opened in October 2010 and run by chef Daniel Carnero, La Cosmopolita is just off the calle Granada in the centre of Málaga. The decor is fresh and fun, with a twist on traditional. As are the tapas, which have become more inventive each year (though there are fewer tapas these days, and they are only available at the bar and selected outdoor tables). The food is very good – past favourites include the bulltail meatballs and the “pan de cristal” options (long chapata-style bread scooped out and filled with meat or cheese and then toasted). I also really like the croquetas (not something I say often) and the bacalao fritters.

Another innovation is the seasonal specials menu, usually a new one each month, and this is really worth checking out. The grilled bone marrow with prawn tartare and artichokes with pork jowl we tried were especially stunning. Also ask for recommendations from the terrific wine list.

José Denis Belgrano 3
Málaga
tel. 952 215 827
Open: 8.30 – midnight
(kitchen open 13.00 – 16.30 / 20.00 – midnight)
La Cosmopolita Website
€ € € €

Food 9 | Wine 10 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

cosmopolita dani