I’ve been to Ajonegro twice now. First time was just over a year ago when I was attending a special sherry event and invited there for lunch (in a small group) by one of the bodegas. And it was fabulous! But of course I did wonder if it would be as good if I just went on my own without any “VIP treatment”. So on a recent visit to Jerez I stopped in with a friend to try some of their tapas, secretly pleased that the owner wasn’t there. But I needn’t have worried because we had very good service from one of the young waiters and the food was excellent. I’ve included photos of dishes from both visits below.
Ajoblanco is a bit of a walk out from the centre, but it is worth the effort. It’s a relatively new bar in a modern building across the avenue from the Sherry Park hotel. 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 has both tapas and raciones and is 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 I was particularly surprised by the chicharrones de Chiclana, with payoyo cheese and tomato pesto. A simply amazing combination. We also liked the marinated chicken in panko with guacamole, but the mini beefburger with bacon was pretty much just a mini-burger. The grilled presa Ibérica (not a tapa) is also excellent.
Avda Alcalde Álvaro Domecq, 10
Jerez de la Frontera
Tel 956 33 23 71
€ € € €
Food 9 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 9
chicharrones de Chiclana with payoyo Villaluenga and tomato pesto
artichoke flowers with lots of evoo
mini beef burger with bacon
panko breaded chicken with guacamole
fried potatoes with alioli
chorizo a la Riojana
king prawns in tempura
grilled presa Ibérica and chips
leche frita
Located in Spain’s only octagonal square, Arxiduna is made even more unique by its natural cave dining areas, which were once used as a Mozárabe church and have been declared a Heritage site by the Andalucía government. There are three such dining areas inside along with a cosy bar area, and a spacious terrace with lovely views out in the square.
the bar
porra with purple carrot crumble, olive oil foam, tomato
pringá “sabor a madre”
whack of mini burgers
boquerones in flaky pastry
BBQ’d pork ribs
chargrilled octopus with guacamole and oyster sauce
mackerel with pickled veg and tuna in dark chocolate
grilled sea bass with fresh grilled veg and berberecho sauce
moroccan chicken pastela with dried fruit and apple sauce
bocata de calamares on a squid ink bun with mustard alioli
chicken curry risotto with coconut milk and parmesan,
putaitas (abanico Ibérico) with peppers, mango and black garlic
grilled presa Ibérica with mojo picón
vanilla and chocolate coulantes with berries
open kitchen with charcoal grill
Team Arxiduna
one of the cave dining rooms
terrace view
“matrimonio” – Cantabrian anchovy and boquerón en vinagre
grilled hotdog with pear alioli and tomato jam
grilled mushrooms with jamón
avocado filled flamenquín
breaded rosada
grilled presa Ibérica
goat cheese with tomato jam
lomo a la sal with rosemary, poppyseeds, potato parmentier
spinach and pinenut croquetas
chorizo croquetas
croquetas de setas with beetroot mayo
breaded rabbit ribs
papas bravas
papas with payoyo cheese
battered fried fish
morcilla tartare with apple, served with mango-mustard sauce
salchichón burger with spicy tomato sauce
chorizo burger
lomo de orza on confit potatoes and toast
chorizo espeto with PX
frothy lemony foam dessert
drunken bizcocho
the recipe for almojábana
owner and chef Charo Carmona
two rondas of churros
mollete with (lots of!) serrano ham and tomato
the bar
secreto al ajillo – as disgusting as it looks
sizzling king prawns al ajillo – much better
stewed pluma Ibérica
churrasco a la parrilla
grilled chorizo criollo
secreto Ibérico
breaded secreto Ibérico
garlicky grilled presa Ibérica
albóndigas en salsa
stewed pork tongue
flamenquín
grilled paleta Ibérica
tender stewed abanico Ibérico in PX sauce
grilled presa Ibérica
Alfonso pouring beers
bar area
dining area
pig parts
Best. Beertaps. Ever.
amontillado and manzanilla fina
olorosos
amontillado fino
owner Pepe
venenciador
Cantabrian anchovy and jamón Iberico
chalkboard menu
Andreea, Soraya & Ana
entrance
open kitchen
jamón and setas croquetas
tuna tempura with tomato, parmesan & oregano sauce
chicharrones de Cádiz with cheese and sun-dried tomatoes
mixed green salad with tempura sardines, parmesan,
veggie tempura with soy mayo
wagyu burger
grilled beef platter
Santiago, Pejie, co-owneres Carmen & Victor, Carmen, Lourdes
window seat
dining area
Sunday diners
Over the years Cafe Royalty has become our official merienda (a kind of Spanish High Tea) stop for coffee, dessert and cocktails. The Royalty is certainly unique, describing itself as the only historically preserved grand romantic café in Andalucia, and with its ornate gilt plasterwork, painted ceilings and early 20th century furnishings it looks the part, and would not be out of place in Paris or Vienna.
apple strudel with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream
picatostes gaditanos – a house speciality
cava “benjamín”
Irish coffees
massive G & T