A Mar

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Shawn

Restaurante A Mar was opened in 2017 by chef Julián Olivares (also owner of Albores), and specialises in traditional fish, rice and meat dishes, with a limited tapas menu. It’s quite spacious, with the typical division into a bar area, a dining room, and a small terrace on the pedestrian street outside. The decor includes a preserved section of the old wall, and features “hanging gardens”, and display cases for market fresh fish and big slabs of meat destined for the grill (apologies for absence of interior photos). The dishes were tried were quite good, though our monkfish carpaccio came still partially frozen (we were told it was supposed to be that way). The grilled octopus and fried squid were better. There’s a wide range of local wines, especially sherries.

Latorre 8
Tel 956 322 915
€ € € €

Food 6 | Wine 7 | Service 6 | Ambiance 7

ensaladilla de gambas

monkfish carpaccio

calamares fritos

grilled octopus with potato parmentier

La Moderna

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Shawn

La Moderna is more than just a bar, it’s a Jerez institution. Though the name is a bit of a misnomer as it’s a very typical, traditional style bar, full of bullfighting posters, and simple furnishings. It was founded some 80 years ago by the grandfather of current owners Atilano, Alfonso and Fernando Pacheco, and apparently little has changed in the intervening years, from the colour of the facade, to the bar and the old city wall, which is still extant in the interior of the bar.

Open from early in the morning for breakfast (a must try – the tostada con tomate, in this case a garlicky salmorejo-style topping) the bar attracts a varied local clientele, one of the things I love most about such places. A typical tapas menu of stews and fritos from around midday, make it a great refuelling stop.

Calle Larga 67
Jerez de la Frontera
Tel 956 321 379
€ € €

Food 6 | Wine 6 | Service 5 | Ambiance 7

breakfast! tostada con tomate

papas aliña

marinated pork liver with onions

ensaladilla with melva

tortillitas de bacalao

lagrimitas de pollo

pork meatballs in tomato sauce

cazón en adobo

Bocarambo

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Shawn

I had no idea this place even existed until some friends from Jerez took us here for lunch during the last Vinoble event. I was definitely impressed. The bar was opened some five years ago, with the conversion of a ground floor flat in a building owned by the family, and everything from the rustic modern decor, with a bar on one side, a little terrace outside, and the Andaluz patio dining room where we ate, to the service, encouraged a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying our meal. We also got a chance to chat with owner Manuel García Tubío as he made his way from table to table, making sure everyone was happy.

The menu is typical Andaluz – Jerezano, with lots of seafood, rice specialities, grilled meats, and an excellent tomato salad. Our friends insisted that we HAD to try the mushrooms with jamón, and well, so do you. I’d also say that the marinated pork liver with cilantro is a must-have. There’s also a good range of sherries (as you’d expect). Definitely recommended if you’re coming to Jerez.

Beato Juan Grande 9
Jerez de la Frontera
Tel 646 966 569
€ € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 7

dressed baby gem with anchovies

tomato salad with melva

spinach croquetas

marinated Ibérico pork liver with cilantro and onion

mushrooms with jamón

grilled secreto Ibérico

owner Manuel García Tubío

Tabanco Las Banderillas

Posted on July 17, 2016 by Shawn

Updated August 2018

Opened in 2012 by Fernando Lobato and Lucas Soto, Las Banderillas replaced an existing bar-restaurant of the same name. As well as sherry and vermouth from the barrel there are preserves and delicatessen products to eat on the premises or take away, and a good selection of hot tapas. In fact, it has more of a tapas bar than tabanco feel to it. It’s a fun and lively place to stop and is also excellent value for money. Don’t miss the house speciality rabo de toro (slow braised oxtail) and the sizzling gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns). And if you’re feeling a bit decadent, the fried pork ribs or the housemade chicharrones.

Service is a bit frenetic, but super friendly. There’s a good selection of wines, including some excellent sherries. This is my favourite place for traditional tapas in Jerez.