I really had been looking forward to re-visiting this place. Ever since our last visit a year ago I have corresponded a bit with the great waiter – Francisco Javier Doncel – in Spanish !!! – Unfortunately he had other duties this day – it would have been great to see him again – hasta luego Javier, see you hopefully next time.
We were spoiled with a clear blue sky and 26 degrees celcius.
A few shots from the restaurant and surroundings.
The location, as good as it gets
The beach below
Our table, front row tickets you may say…
Now the 5 star hotel looks like a hotel, where I could survive a few days without a problem, and I can only wish that I will one day be able to afford a stay here. Beside a gastronomic restaurant inside, the attration is the beach club, which has a buffet second to none. Everything is so fresh with an eye for detail and with a great presentation. Beside the cold buffet you have a barbeque where fish of all kinds and meat are prepared to your liking.
Great olives and roasted almonds and a bottle of Rueda…while the boys took a swim
Oscar where he likes to be the most
Emil preferred the slighly smaller version
Back to the other reason for our visit. The incredible lunch that was waiting for us. I greeted the chef, who at least seemed to remember me, and he was on his toes as soon as I – por favour – asked for a plate of Pata Negra and some grilled lenguados for the boys.
A proud chef
At your service…
Freshly cut pata negra.
What to choose…
The quality is really outstanding. I dont even know where to start, – only by saying that I only tried a fraction of it. The artichokes amazing, as the lobster and langoustines. The chef asked me if he could propose a little plate of something for us – I did not understand what he meant, but I was pretty confident we were gonna like it. And man did we like it. We loved it. Simply the most perfectly cooked langoustines of a kind. Grilled around 1 minute only, just enough to leave the colour – but still ever so moist and tender. Best plate I have had in a long long time. All you need is actully good produce and a chef who knows his techniques.
If that doesn´t make you happy…
Oscar loving his sole, not so much the spinach..
Round two from the buffet
This time I actually also tried the paella, which was very nice. I did not manage any grilled fish or meat – my belly was full. The kids had been looking forward to the desserts. As Oscar had informed us…Im going to have my favourite dessert again. Strawberries, raspberries and whipped cream. As it turned out the strawberries were the only flaw of the day, being a bit boring, tired…but the raspberries…have never tasted sweeter or better.
Oscar was a happy chappy
Emil opted for chocolate…
I do think that Emil had three rounds of desserts (!) These two, and two pieces more….
A look at the beach and the Jetty, and it was time to ask for the bill. After 4 hours in Paradise.
End of season, quiet beach
The bar is extended onto the jetty.
Conclusion:
Our visit this time was even better foodwise than last time. We were graced with the visit to our table by Uncle Rudi, previous director and co-founder of the hotel. He was celebrating the birthday of his wife at the table next to us and he came over to congratulate us on our choice of restaurant and me of my beautiful wife. What a nice person and gentleman he was. I bet he had a story or two to tell. Next time maybe Uncle Rudi.
The service is impecable, the settings pure holiday feeling with a classic luxury touch. I thank you again Torben for showing me this spot in the first place.
I shall re-post the great shot I took of our dear friend Javier last year
We missed Javier this time as I mentioned, but if money allows it Javier, please be sure to find us back next year.
My rating for this visit: Food 8p (10), service 5p (5), ambience 5p (5), 1 extra happiness point for a day in Paradise – Total Score 19p (20)
Food, Wine and Rock´n´roll 