Tag Archives: restaurant

La Plaza

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la plaza
Part restaurant, part tapas bar, with a fabulous terrace for people watching in Plaza Merced. I’ve been meaning to come here for years and finally stopped in for a few tapas with a friend. Open for breakfast from 10am, with both bar and restaurant menus available from 1pm till 2am. There is also a daily set menu lunch.

Plaza de la Merced, 18
Málaga
Tel 952 36 98 78
€ € €

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Food 7 | Wine 7 | Service 7 | Ambiance 6

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la plaza (2)

la plaza falafelfalafel with cumin and honey yoghurt

la plaza ribstender pork ribs with Chinese spices

la plaza burgermini beef burger with brie & bacon

la plaza (5)

la plaza (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

luz candela (4)

luz candela (2)

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Updated September 2015

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)

cuchara de palo (1)

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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

albores (4)

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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

albores (1)

albores (5)

albores (3)

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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)

albala (13)

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

albala (3)

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Updated February 2018

Cunini

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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
€ € € €

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Food 6 | Wine 6 | Service 5 | Ambiance 7

cunini bar areabar area

cunini fritoscomplimentary fried hake

cunini croquetascomplimentary seafood croquetas

cunini gambas complimentary gambas from Motril

cunini gambahola!

cunini seafood displayfish and seafood display

cunini barthe bar

cunini diningdining area

cunini sign

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Alameda

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Updated August 2018

The Alameda is located just off Plaza del Carmen. The space is very contemporary split-level, with a bar downstairs and a dining area upstairs, with lots of wood and high ceilings and windows that makes it feel both spacious and comfortable. There’s also a small terrace.

Although we’ve been there a few times, we’ve only actually ordered food once (their fabulous oxtail burger with au-juice mayo). The rest of the photos here are their complimenary tapas that come with drinks, which I have to say are probably the best I’ve had in Granada. All-day kitchen from 12.00 pm – 1.00 am.

Escudo del Carmen corner of Rector Morato
Granada
Tel 958 221 507
Alameda Website
€ € €

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Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

alameda (2)

jamón serrano

alameda patecomplimentary blue cheese paté

squid ink croquetas (complimentary)

alameda croquetascomplimentary jamón croquetas

grilled pork belly (complimentary)

alameda tortillascomplimentary mini tortillas

complimentary menudo (tripe stew)

alameda burger bulloxtail burger with havarti cheese and au jus mayo

Alfonso cutting jamón

alameda (3)

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Updated August 2018

Blanco Enea

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blanco enea

Located in the Casa de Galicia, Blanco Enea is both a visual and gastronomic delight. The charming rustic chic “tavern” area on the main floor, and the somewhat more formal dining room upstairs, both have a minimalist style with cool white walls and “galician blue” trim throughout. A few white tables and chairs make up a small terrace out in the square. Owner and chef José María González Blanco was an affable host, taking us on a tour of the premises before we settled into our seats downstairs to sample the more casual tavern menu.

Basically, you want to eat here. I think the food can best be described as traditional Andalusian with a few Galician touches along with some tasty and innovative twists. Definite “must-haves” (and in my case, must-have-agains) are the croquetas of suckling pig & turnip greens (!!!), and the tender octopus “al feira” with a super-silky parmentier.

Also pending is a return visit in the evening to see the patio lit up with long strings of white fairy lights and try the dinner menu upstairs, with a window seat overlooking the square.

Plaza San Pedro 1
Córdoba
Tel 957 10 06 75
€ € € €

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Food 9 | Wine 9 | Service 9 | Ambiance 9

blanco enea bar (1)downstairs “taberna”

blanco enea bar (2)

blanco enea (2)

blanco enea croquetassuckling pig & turnip greens croquetas

blanco enea chocosmonster fried chocos with mojo de manzana

blanco enea (4)open kitchen facing the patio

blanco enea cochifritacochifrito with padrón peppers

blanco enea pulpopulpo a feira with silky parmentier

blanco enea (3)
blanco enea (1)

blanco enea dining (1)upstairs dining room

blanco enea dining (2)

blanco enea terraceterrace

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Casa Pepe de la Judería

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casa pepe

I can’t believe I am just writing up Casa Pepe for the first time. I’ve actually eaten here a few times in the dining room but it was early days on the blog and, looking back at the photos I took back then, I decided it was better to start fresh. This visit we just stopped in for a couple of (excellent) tapas and had a look around.

Casa Pepe is one of those traditional places which has become a part of the fabric of its locality, with a perfect position at the beginning of the main street leading into the Juderia from the Mezquita. It was founded in 1920 as La Taberna del Triunfo, but owes its name and fame to José Jiménez Aroca (popularly known as Pepe el de la Juderia), who took it over in 1930.

It has now expanded into seven small dining rooms in the traditional style of the building, one larger more modern room on the 2nd floor, and a large rooftop terrace with views of the belltower of the Mezquita. It’s fairly formal, with efficient uniformed waiters and good quality tableware, but still friendly, and reasonably priced. The cuisine is mainly traditional, from cold soups and fried berenjenas to roast meats, including an excellent shoulder of lamb as well as pork dishes. Some nice fish and seafood, too.

Calle del Romero, 1
Córdoba
Tel 957 200 744
Casa Pepe Website
€ € € €

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Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 7

casa pepe (1)tapas area

casa pepe (2)

casa pepe chocostender chocos with garlicky salsa verde

casa pepe cochifritoslow cooked suckling pig, fried with potatoes

casa pepe plateummm…

casa pepe (3)

casa pepe (5)

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La Posada del Caballo Andaluz

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caballo andaluz
Perhaps unfairly, the Caballo Andaluz, a relatively new establishment that’s the member of a small local chain (including nearby Puerta de Sevilla and La Viuda), is going to get a mixed review. The restaurant itself is a pleasant enough space, light and open with a central courtyard and a main dining area to one side, and another upstairs. Our one dish, a huge flamenquin, was very good, and came with a tasty mayonnaise that we ordered more of. If the rest of the menu is as good then this is is certainly up to scratch on the food (it certainly all looked good at neighbouring tables).

But. We arrived early and were seated in the patio area where there was a flamenco guitarist performing. He was actually quite good but I prefer to give my attention to the food and my companions. Also it gave the place a “tourist trap” feel, which was exacerbated when a coachload of elderly Spanish ladies arrived and completely filled the dining area next to us. Nothing against elderly ladies, who in this instance fitted right in with the general ambiance, but between the guitarist, 45 women all chatting at once and the (really loud!) caged singing canaries hanging from the rafters, it was all a bit too much, and we fled after eating our excellent flamenquín.

Bodega San Basilio, 16
Córdoba
Tel 957 290 374
€ € €

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Food 8 | Wine 7 | Service 7 | Ambiance 4

caballo andaluz guitaristflamenco guitarist in patio

caballo andaluz flamenquinflamenquín

caballo andaluz dining

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