Eboka

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Shawn

Updated August 2018

After years of working in the family business and attending the prestigious La Cónsula catering school, in 2012 Antonio Fernández opened the excellent wine bar and gourmet food shop Dom Vinos just up the road from his family’s popular Bar Nerva. Then in December 2016 Antonio moved to the centre of Málaga, just a stone’s throw from the Cathedral, and, with the help of new partners, he expanded his enterprise in both size and scope. Eboka is an attractive and comfortable wine bar and restaurant, the staff are well-trained (I’d expect no less) and, as Antonio joked, the kitchen is the same size as the whole of his beloved Dom Vinos. There is also a nice sidewalk terrace.

The wine list is crazy (in a good way), and if you are lucky enough to find Antonio at the helm, he will take you through a fabulous wine-pairing journey that is hard to beat. Favourite dishes included the mixed croquetas (all of them were delicious) and the tartare of Málaga sausage – outstanding. The presa Ibérica salad is also something I will go back for.

Delightful desserts are by local pastry chef María García ( Candy’s) and crazy good cocktails are creatively prepared by Jesús García Recaj.

Pedro de Toledo, 4
Málaga
Tel 952 12 46 71
€ € € €

Food 9 | Wine 10 | Service 9 | Ambiance 8

cava on the terrace

bar snack

mixed croquetas: garbanzos, ropa vieja and lomo Ibérico

salchichón de Málaga tartare

presa Ibérica salad with mango and fried cashews

rocket, avocado,octopus salad with emulsion of mustard & sea urchin

baby goat shoulder confit, cream of pumpkin, couscous

grilled abanico Ibérico with churrasco sauce

Antonio (second from right) with my friends

La Tana

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Shawn

Updated August 2018

I have to say that La Tana is my favourite wine bar in Granada, compact and cosy and festooned with traditional knick-knacks – shelves full of bottles of wine, with a couple of massive jeroboams on the bar, and lots of garlic, tomatoes, sausages hanging on the walls and from the ceiling.

As you’d expect, they have an excellent wine selection, including a local white wine I loved called Mencal (chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, moscatel), and staff are very helpful with recommending wines. The complimentary tapas are delicious, though the lovely subdued lighting means that most of my food pics never turn out here (they tend to be a smaller version of what’s available on the menu – see below). It’s always super busy, so best to get there early.

Rosario, 11
Granada
Tel 958 225 248
€ € €

Food 9 | Wine 10 | Service 9 | Ambiance 9

la tana (3)

la tana (4)

la tana avocado butifarra avocado on toast, butifarra

tomatoes with olive oil, sausage

la tana mencal Mencal from Granada

carne mechada with sundried tomatoes

the menu

la tana (1)

la tana window
la tana (2)

Updated August 2018

Dom Vinos

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Shawn

Dom Vinos is no more but you can find Antonio working his magic at Eboka

domvinos

Dom Vinos specialises in wine tastings and pairing menus, with an impressive listing of over 140 wines and premium spirits (the wine list changes monthly). But you can also just stop in for a few tapas – be sure to check out the daily specials. It’s also a good idea to call ahead to book in case there is a special event going on.

My first (quick) visit here was back in December 2012 with a friend visiting from New Zealand – our snacks were delish and we loved the casual ambiance and the attentive service. My second visit was a bit more “intense” and Antonio was very happy to set us up with a fab tasting menu paired with some pretty damn fine sherrys. I am always impressed by how passionate Antonio is about sharing his knowledge of food and wine and what a welcoming and generous host he is. Another Dom Vinos lunch with travel writer friend Andrew Forbes (who was also inspired to write about our experience) convinced me that this is a place with consistently excellent wine, food and service. These days a trip to Málaga isn’t complete without a visit to Dom Vinos.

Delightful desserts are by local pastry chef María García ( Candy’s) and crazy good cocktails are creatively prepared by Jesús García Recaj.