Just found my old Andalusia notes from 2022

Regional Dining Discussions Italy, Spain, Portugal
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Yes, dostroves,
Please go to Taberna Zurbarán as well. We did a trifecta with Shawn—Taberna Zurbarán, with its beautiful tiled interior and lovely, hidden garden terrace, then Salmedina for great fish, and the icing on the cake was Barra Baja for my husband’s birthday. She reserved three seats (out of 8?) at the bar in front of the open kitchen so we could watch the chef team (partners formerly of the Mercer) work their magic. I love, love this place! So please don’t miss it.

About Venta el Toro–it’s better for lunch, I think, as it’s quite hearty food (broken eggs with potatoes and ham or chorizo or morcilla on top…Andrés supposedly orders them with all of the above!!!) and stews so I wouldn’t want to do it at night.
You might go to Azotea Chiringuito for dinner instead.
Although this summer Venta el Toro opens for dinner because no one ventures out until after sunset in this July / Aug. heat for dining!
I don´t know Chiringuito La Azotea’s seasonal operating hours, when they close for the season…

In Vejer there’s a new place, Narea, that just came into my radar but haven’t yet tried. This combo came from Sanlúcar and trained at Can Roca, Ramón Freixa and the Triciclo group, so you might inquire about it.
Another fairly new spot in Vejer is El Muro that is also getting solid reviews. And for take out or charcuterie and wines, La Taberna del Lomo en Manteca.

https://www.narearestaurante.com

Thanks so much for your feedback about Lienzo, much appreciated.

tigerjohn,
I do have Forestera on my list and maybe we can fit it in. I now have decided on Fraula for our short tasting menu. But I have lots of time to redo my list again and again , like PedroPero! :sweat_smile:

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Ugh, I’m the worst I’m gonna change my name to Biestable cause of all the changes I’ve made :rofl: :sweat_smile:
But in my defence, I’ve procured a few reservations in Malaga, 2 dinners at Matiz(one tasting menu and one on my day of arrival, La Antxoeta(looks cute and their tasting menu is very reasonable, my food tour will be a lunch and a dinner at La Cosmopolita. Breakfasts will mostly be at the hotel because I have 1/2 board included. I’ll nail down my other meals soon. I gotta have at least one lunch on the beach(El Calẽno) and a sandwich at Mafalda.

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Yes…a month!! We had planned on nine nights but I took away two to visit Cuenca, where I’ve never been. Any recs there??

Napicol and Ca Pepica…both almost next each other, outside Valencia. Both on my “definite” list right now…are those places I ought to book months ahead?

With only seven nights, I already have Llisa Negra, Ca Peptic, and Napicol…plus Bar Central!!!
Here’s a big issue: rice dishes are for two. Partner does not like “anything with shells,” I accept all condolences here!!! In Lanzarote last May we had an incredibly great dry rice dish with pork (at SeBe…si, si!!). But I will not be condemned to miss out on all the great seafood rides…so imagine that I have to order one dish for myself…who knows maybe one place or two will consent to preparing a dish for one but I am not counting on that and I the end its not a huge problem except for the wallet…

Patapuerca looks great!! And Taberna la Camorra! Honestly you’ve done all my research for me!

What about those bars in the center like that sardine place…Angel, maybe???

We had a very interesting experience at Casa Jomi in Nazaret, years ago----chef/owner has passed, but it was quite an experience for salazones…

That trip, November-December only about two-plus weeks, seems fairly set except for Denia. big question is if we should take the extra time for ferry to Palma for 4-5 nights???

So glad we are all on board here…WHY does this site get so little traffic as compared to Chowhound? Do people not know about it??? Or maybe we just need aficionados like ourselves. It’s been great “talking” here, and we are just beginning…!!

AY, Maribel you are back!!!

The post above was written a few days ago and I had not posted it, so ignore.

So much great into here.!

NAREA, In Vejer?! I’ll have two weeks there this year so have time to put all your suggestions on my list for that area.

EL BARET!!! booked two nights (Wed and Friday) and will discuss others in Denia on appropriate thread.

Will do the same here or on “the travel site” about that ferry from Denia to Palma, which partner is very much not enthused about…

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La Antxoeta Art wasn’t on my radar but it looks really good, and the chef is a Eurotoque. I´ve put it on my list, and it gets a nice write up in the Macarfi guide.

Will be eager to read your feedback!

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Any thoughts on The Refectorium Malagueta?

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Erica,
as Ca Pepico and Napicol are not yet on the out of towner radar, it’s not necessary to book more than 2 weeks ahead. For a weekend you might want 2-4 weeks. Your spanish will come in handy as they don’t do online (or didn’t as recently as last year). I didn’t enjoy the non-seafood rices and dishes at Ca Pepico as much as their croquetas, seafood a la plancha and fried, and their seafood rices. Napicol does Paella Valenciana really well so you might hit that to eat with your partner.

Taberna Samorra is in the center like Tasca Angel (a place I like but i think both Patapuerca and Samorra offer a wider range of good dishes). Samorra also does rices booked ahead on weekends and you might be able to get a single portion.

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Gracias, Maribel. Took a brief look at both Fraula and Llienzo and both seem to have tasting menus only…these are two new names for me so will have to look further…

So happy you are back here…was beginning to worry a little…

I’ll let you catch up and then pepper you with more questions, although I think I am pretty set for Valencia and Denia…thanks to all of your input.

And thanks again to you input, I booked the Kaizen Don Ramon in Sevilla…will ask you later on about that but I did put in my request for a gemello for Matteo. from Maria Luisa in Jerez…his English is coming along in fits and starts so he gets a bit lonely…I hope they will let me adopt a “brother.”
Note to all others who already know I can get a bit off topics, not to mention “off the wall.”. Matteo is a furry bear given to solo guests at the stupendous hotel Palacio de Maria Luisa in Jerez. We bonded instantly and I was able to use my "enchufe " get him his immigration papers…waiting for his working papers for the USA.

Now that I have cemented my reputation as a little bit “eccentric!” let’s get on with Valencia, etc and sorry for the extreme detour here…

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@PedroPero,
The Refectorium that we visit every time we’re in town is the Refectorium Catedral. If we want to dine at the bar in the evening on seafood tapas, we arrive before they open at 8:30, as there will already be a small line of locals waiting for its opening. If we want to sit at a low table, we must reserve a few days in advance. It’s a large open space with no distinction between the dining area and the large wrap around bar.

The Refectorium Malagueta, with the same menu, close to the bullring, the original, has more “atmosphere” or a more inviting interior décor.

We also recently had a very satisfying casual dinner at the new location of Anyway Wine Bar, which is now behind Muelle Uno (not within) in a much larger space with outdoor terrace and views of the multi-colored Pompidou cube. And prices here are extremely reasonable. The menu is composed of wines (200), beautiful cheeses and charcuterie platters but also some more creative plates, like a ceviche of corvina with yucca and mango. Repsol guide recommended. Reservations advisable unless you’re content to sit on the outdoor terrace.

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29

@tigerjohn,
Do you know Bar Rausell and Bar Maipi? (the former has been taken over since we last visited by the chef couple of Fierro). Both classics, “de toda la vida”.

@erica1
Yes, Lienzo and Fraula have tasting menus only but short ones. We can only do them at lunch…never at night (well, except… we would have done one at Noor, but you remember how I bungled that rezzie).

For those who love ensaladilla, at Llisa Negra, Dacosta’s ensaladilla caramelizada is out of this world.

I wouldn’t take the time to ferry to Palma (and definitely not to Ibiza). I would go to Palma and the Sierra Tramuntana in early spring (the latter being far more pleasant, prettier, enchanting, especially if staying in a finca-like hotel than tourist-filled Palma for me).

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Maribel, haven’t been to Maipi but will try it next time. We have been to Rausell (probably before the Fierro people took it over). We found it to fine, very standard Valencian classics with fresh seafood dishes to be a bit better than everything else. But given the sometimes long waits and chaotic atmosphere, and the wealth of other options, we haven’t returned. Maybe with the new owners it will be improved.

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The Fierro people took over Maipi, not Rausell. They bought Maipi in July, according. to this press report.

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We’ve gone to Rausell for its esmorzaret.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zoe2CIurd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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@erica1
About Cuenca–
When the city was named Spanish Capital of Gastronomy for 2023 (Oviedo is the gastro capital this year), there were lots of gastro press articles about where to dine–
These are the following that appeared most often:

Casas Colgadas by Jesús Segura (the city’s leading chef), but a 95-euro tasting menu only, I’m afraid (and you must leave a deposit)

La Casa de la Sirena, also by Jesús Segura, more traditional with 50-euro and 35-euro tasting menus

Olea Comedor, a fav of Jesús Segura, minimalist décor, Asian fusion

La Ponderosa, another of his favs, for bar food, a solid “tapeo” (“one of Spain’s best bars”, he says), for perdiz escabechada, revueltos, morteruelo, a classic La Mancha dish, torreznos, chuletillas de cordero and mushrooms in season.

Romera Bistró, another of his favs and a la carte

5 Sentidos Fran Martínez, a Guía Peñín fav for its wine list

Raff San Pedro, a classic, installed in 16th century stables, considered one of the city’s best

Figón del Huécar, with pretty views

Posada San Jose (but we weren’t particularly impressed other than with the views, so quite skippable, I think)

Now, erica, off to do your homework!!

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Off to do my home work!!! Thank you for the Cuenca tips…
This week will try to book the IRYO from Chamartin to Cuenca.

Will put Palma off the table…I suppose a silly idea to take the ferry and only see Palma…wrong season, as well…thank you for your input on that! Partner was not enthused at all, so. happy to have that off the table for now.

So happy the you are back and in full form…will look forward to any tidbits you might share about your travels in past few weeks!!

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@erica1
More homework!

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Great, we will put it on our list and give Rausell another try.

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We have been to Casa Federico and Farallo way back in 2014. Both were very good. Any insights into the rest on the list?

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El Faralló is at the top of our list, as it´s receiving great reviews.

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Hi PedroPero,
A recent review of Refectorium Malagueta, as they’ve now added the province of Málaga to their guide. I concur with the rating.

Just to make those dining decisions a little harder! :sweat_smile:

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Thanks! :sweat_smile: :rofl: