Restaurante Arrieros

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Shawn

Updated February 2017

Linares de la Sierra, population 300, is about 90 minutes from Sevilla, deep in the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park, in the province of Huelva. It is an unlikely spot to find a michelin-star quality restaurant like Arrieros, run by partners Luismi López (chef) and Adela Órtiz (front of house). They offer seasonal menus based on local products, which happily includes lots of acorn-fed Ibérico pork from the nearby dehesa.

Restaurante Arrieros couldn’t be any more rustic and charming. The lovingly restored old building used to be the village bar, and it now comprises a series of small dining rooms and a small terrace. The Jabugo Menu is all about the pig and it really is a delight. It varies a bit from season to season, but you will usually find the pork liver marinated in fresh cilantro and olive oil, and the fabulous presa (pork shoulder) burger. There’s a nice selection of regional wines too.

There are really no set hours. Luismi and Adela will open when they get requests, so be sure to call ahead. And give yourself time to explore the village either before or after your meal.

Calle de los Arrieros, 2
Linares de la Sierra
Tel. 959 46 37 17
€ € € €

Food 9 | Wine 10 | Service 9 | Ambiance 9

arrieros (2)

arrieros (3)

arrieros cilantro liver pork liver marinated with cilantro and spring onions

arrieros presa carpacchio presa Ibérico carpaccio with foie shavings

melted goat cheese on toast, local honey and herbs

arrieros boletus, scrambled eggs, garlic oil, cilantro boletus mushrooms, scrambled eggs, garlic oil, cilantro

arrieros omato soup with cumin, mint, oregano, fig jam tomato soup with cumin, mint, oregano, fig jam

presa burger with peach jam

carrillada Ibérica

arrieros (13) cheesecake

arrieros (8)

arrieros luismi adela Luismi López & Adela Ortiz

arrieros (10)

Updated February 2017

La Plaza

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Shawn

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
€ € €

Food 7 | Wine 7 | Service 7 | Ambiance 6

la plaza (3)

la plaza (2)

la plaza falafel falafel with cumin and honey yoghurt

la plaza ribs tender pork ribs with Chinese spices

la plaza burger mini beef burger with brie & bacon

la plaza (5)

la plaza (4)

Vinería Cervantes

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Shawn

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
€ € €

Food 7 | Wine 8 | Service 7 | Ambiance 8

vineria cervantes (3)

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

vineria cervantes boquerones boquerones al vinagre with salmorejo and guacamole

vineria cervantes gambas battered prawns with cilantro alioli

vineria cervantes empanadas oxtail empanada with sofrito

vineria cervantes (2)

vineria cervantes (4)

La Luz de Candela

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Shawn

Updated September 2015

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
€ € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

luz candela (3)

luz candela (6) amuse bouche

luz candela lubina sea bass with fennel cream and saffron

luz candela turbot turbot and veggies with parsley butter

luz candela mollejas lamb sweetbreads, cream of asparagus, new potatoes

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

luz candela osso buco osso buco with mini scalloped potatoes

luz candela chocolate bitter chocolate and orange quenelles

luz candela team the Luz de Candela team

luz candela (4)

luz candela (2)

Updated September 2015

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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sr lobo (12)

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.