Cañota, Barcelona: a Review

Please note that this is a review of the tapas-bar cum restaurant on Carrer de Lleida, whose full name is Casa de Tapes Cañota, but is known simply as Cañota.

Staying at the Crowne Plaza - Fira Center (sic) for a few days, whilst my principal carer attended a Pharma conference, I was trapped in the hotel until the evening of our third day. On the evening of our fourth, we strolled the hundred metres or so to Cañota. We were attracted by the Italian-style topiary giving some privacy from the roads to the pavement terrace. Obviously we opted for sitting outside: we were tourists not locals and there were pretty fairy-lights!

 [Image description: seated at table, consuming our main course, with US American fellow diners.]

We were greeted by extremely friendly staff. Our main waiter came from Sardinia, but we were able to communicate in our shared Castillian Spanish and English too.

  

 [Image description: a couple of images taken from the menu,

including Dani Carnero, one of the chefs, and Tina the cow!]

We were handed the most fun menus I have ever come across, which, because we could not help ourselves giggle and laugh, took us an age to read through. Whilst attempting to make our decisions we ordered G&Ts as an aperitivo. At €8.80 these were pricier than most bars and even on the beach. Nonetheless, they are not British measures, rather a small pail of the refreshing nectar.

My chum ordered Iberian ham croquettes (€3.60 for two) along with toast, pan tostado, (€1.70) which came with tomato to rub into the bread for his starter (top image above) and I the octopus, pulpo a feria, (€11.60) (bottom image above). No complaints. Everything was happily eaten. The octopus had been perfectly prepared, so no rubberiness.

Caring carer chose the cod omelette, tortilla de bacalao, (€11.00) for his mains (top image above). I opted for the cajita fritos, a small box of deep-fried fish & seafood (bottom image above). This course was not accompanied by wine due to us both still sipping our way through the enormous G&Ts. The top image demonstrates that my companion ate every last morsel. After it was taken I finished scoffing my delightful and delicious sea-harvest.

Surprisingly, despite being quite sated at this point, our affable waiter persuaded us to both have a dessert. Rico, has a huge crush on crema catalana (€6.60) and given we were in Catalonia he decided he ought to try the genuine article made by Catalonians (top image above). It was large enough to probably feed a family of four, but nothing was left on the plate. I opted for an artisanal tea ice-cream (€2.20) (bottom image above), which was both tasty and refreshing, by which I was rather surprised.

The total bill came to €72.70 (June 2017 prices), so with gratuity came to €80 or €40 per head for a three-course meal with drink. For the quality, quantity, atmosphere and service, this was a truly excellent repast.

We definitely recommend Cañota. Also we strongly recommend you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Viva Lola, Málaga: a Review

Having completed our list of shopping chores at El Corte Inglés, the main store just west of the casco (old city centre), we went up to the top floor to visit the Gourmet Experience. Here one can purchases beverages and foodstuffs from across the globe, from delicacies to locally sourced products. Furthermore, there are several eateries: some are parts of chains; others are independents.

[Image description: my companion with just some of our shopping

with Viva Lola's signage in the background]

Málaga being a port-city and a fishing-port as well, I of course wanted to sample the harvest from the sea. A new sea-food restaurant has recently opened, named Viva Lola. It is part of the Los Mellizos group of restaurants.

We selected our own table and were glad to sit down in extremely comfortable, ice grey coloured, Vitra Eames chairs. I find sitting due to my disabilities to be be extremely uncomfortable if not outright painful. These seats had plenty of lumber support and sufficient give to let me relax long enough to dine.

[Image description: the writer toasting with his wine; behind kitchen & bar staff at work]

Almost immediately a waiter was over and took our drinks orders. We were hot and did not yet know what we intended to eat, so selected rosado/rosé, a large glass of a fine wine cost an unbelievably low €3,10 (for city-centre prices). The waiter then brought over the menus for us to peruse.

[Image description:the menu and a chef's appetiser of a chunk of fresh tuna

atop a bed of chopped tomato on a mini bruschetta]

My dining companion & fellow shopper oohed and ahhed at the offerings. I, of course, ever mindful of my food allergy, kept an open-mind as to what I might be permitted to sample. We were hoping to try the whitebait, but Paul (the maître d'-manager) said when he had been to the fish-market that morning, they had not been good enough. So, instead we chose the special board of the day (left image below), pata de pulpo con mojo picón which would be octopus tentacle with a piquant sauce & lime (right image below).

It was absolutely delicious. The octopus flesh had not been overcooked, so instead of rubbery we bit into a meaty, steak-like texture. The flavour was somewhat like chicken, but far more delicious. This plate was emptied and got the thumbs-up. At €12 perhaps on the pricey side - but well worth it from my perspective for the mouth sensation, and quality. And believe it or not, on a blind tasting several years ago, it transpired that friend's favourite 'fish' is in fact octopus; so a contented chum too.

Whilst Paul tried to find a dish I would like for my mains, he sent over two steamed scallops, each designed for our respective tastes (image above). My chum is not the biggest fish-lover, but it was at this point that even he was making orgasmic noises on the other side of table. His was spicy; mine was sweet & sour. Mmmmmmm…

Richard's tarantelo de atún served with home-made French fries (image above) finally arrived with our next glass of wine. This is the bees-knees of tuna, the cut to dine upon. And my friend wolfed it down.

As you can see from above, there was little left on his plate.

In the meantime, I was treated to the most divine tuna steak, for me perfectly cooked - just seared on the outside and cooked hot enough to heat through the flesh. I was in heaven. Not a scrap was left on my plate.

By now you are probably wondering what we would have for dessert. If you guessed more fish, you would be right! Sea-bass sushi and raw red tuna on mini bruschettas (to the left and the right respectively in the image above).

I can not overstate how exquisite is the seafood at Viva Lola. This is a must-eat-at eatery. I shall be making a bee-line for it when next I am in Málaga.

The Garrison, Castletown, IOM: Review

We managed, despite deflection from the managers of our accommodation, to secure a table on New Year’s Eve at The Garrison restaurant. Mind, the slot was for very early doors! We were the first customers of the evening. However, this actually suited our plans as we had arranged to meet chums in The Union pub for the end-of-year celebrations.

As can be seen from the photographs below, the furnishings and décor are fairly austere; but the ambience was welcoming and warm (as was the temperature). Our hostess, the proprietrix, dressed all glam and with newly coiffed hair-do, did everything she could to ensure a good time was to be had. The food did not fail to impress either.

To start we ordered a round of apéritifs and a dish of toasted almonds liberally tossed in sea-salt and black pepper. They were so moreish that I forgot to take a snap until they were all but gone!

We decided - after personal recommendation from the restaurateuse - upon a Rioja from Arjona, 2012, to accompany our various selections. It transpired that this went well with our shared starters such as the deep-fried octopus (below).

The delicious wine also partnered well our various main courses (entrées): pasta dishes; Tex-Mex; and, my rather succulent (if slightly chewy - but that’s the luck of the draw with rib-eye!) steak. The lesson I learned from this is not to order rib-eye “bleu”; sirloin and fillet, no problem; but the veins of fat in rib-eye need a tad more cooking or the steak needs to be tenderised.

A bottle of Castell d’Olerdola was delivered in an ice-bucket to accompany desserts, cheese and our toasts. It is is a fruity pink fizz that is sure to go down well at any party; it assuredly assisted our festive mood!

Actually, no-one wanted dessert as my companions felt so full after starters and mains. Naturally, this cheese-lover had to have his fix, so requested the cheese platter, nothing of which remained barring a few crumbs and the grape stalk (see below).

The alimentation served at The Garrison is certainly not haute cuisine; but of its type, it is well sourced, well cooked, well prepared, well presented, and tasty. Prices are reasonable and appropriate for the standard and quality.

[Image description: the menu with prices]

Just do not order the coffee - it tastes of dish-water; the only comestible to be avoided! (It is possible someone omitted to rinse the coffee cups after washing!)

Nonetheless, I certainly recommend The Garrison restaurant and hope to dine there again in the not-too-distant future.