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.

La Despensa Del Mar Restaurant, Benalmádena: a Review

 

Meeting up with Spanish chums in the commercial district of Benalmádena, called Arroyo de la Miel, we needed a restaurant that could cater for a large electric wheelchair. Despensa was perfect. A waiter willingly re-arranged furniture so that the wheelchair could fit at table.

 

La Despensa del Mar literally translates as the pantry of the sea, an appropriate nomenclature for an eatery specialising in fish and seafood, but as it is attached to a sister restaurant meat-eaters are permitted to select from its menu too.

Between six of us we shared: two house salads; mixed, deep-fried fish & seafood (top image below); lamb meatballs (bottom image); stewed lamb; cheese; and jamón. Almost everything was consumed, but what was not eaten was left only due to each & everyone of us feeling totally stuffed.

 

 

 

Various drinks were consumed, but I personally heartily recommend the draft beer, una caña, which was malt-flavoured and refreshing, served ice-cold.

We did not have dessert as one of the party was celebrating a birthday. We took along our own cake which the staff were happy to bring out after our repast.

Staff were friendly, polite and efficient; well, until it came to paying the bill - apparently, a common issue across Spain!

We all shall be returning.

El Mentidero Restaurant: A Review

I am a huge fish & seafood fan: if I could, I should eat it every day. So staying in Málaga, a port city, I am naturally going to take advantage at every possible opportunity to sample the harvest from the sea.

[Image descriptions: frontage & signage]

On our first night in Málaga I persuaded my companion to dine at a fish restaurant because the menu stated that they also served "carne" - meat dishes. It was the espetos de sardinas grilling on an open barbecue in the window that drew my attention. And luckily there was just one vacant table waiting to be occupied. I did not give my friend any leeway, I sat myself down as rapidly as my arthritic body would let me!

[Image description: espeto de sardinas]

The espeto turned out to be the most disappointing aspect of our dining experience: not bad, not good; just so-so. However the rest of what transpired to be a veritable feast was fabulous.

[Image description: atún con manteca]

The highlight for both my carer & myself - and a dish we intend to return for before we return to England - is the atún con manteca or tuna with pork dripping. Tuna in Spain is not what we in the UK are used to: it comes in all sorts of varieties, cuts and styles. This dish was a thin steak of slightly dried tuna. Served with cold, toasted bread slices the combination might sound incongruous, but oh the flavour and texture in the mouth…! All that remained was one slice of unwanted toast.

[Image description: empty plate]

My chum is a fiend for home-made Spanish croquetas or croquettes. At Mentidero their speciality is a creamy cod & cheese delicacy. Friend demolished them all. And he heartily recommends.

[Image description: rosada a la plancha with salad - half the fish consumed!]

I opted for rosada a la plancha or grilled/braised kingklip. This is a very common fish dish in Andalusia. However, in fourteen years of visiting this was the best I had ever consumed - totally, except for a tiny mouthful I permitted my pal! The flesh is thick, flaky, succulent and very tasty.

[Image description: bread basket]

A bread basket accompanied the meal - the Spanish seem to eat bread with everything. Often such bread is dry and tasteless. We, however, were treated to the lightest of light corn-breads, which was slightly sweet with a cake-like texture. Surprisingly it went really well with all our dishes.

The house dry white wine had a slightly citric flavour that balanced well with the seafood.

We anticipate returning to El Mentidero very soon… Oh, yum!

Gosforth Palace (née Poon's), Newcastle-upon-Tyne: a Review

I have been a regular visitor of the Chinese restaurant Gosforth Palace (it's dropped the Poon's part of its name now) for twenty years this year. Nigh on every time I visit Newcastle, I go over to Gosforth to dine with a chum from my undergraduate days. I have never once had a bad meal in all these years, so naturally I recommend it. Even more so now that I am disabled, for despite the long flight of stairs up to the dining area, there is a chair-lift for those of us who cannot mount on our own legs.

[Image description: a shot of © Gosforth Palace when still signed as Poon's]

On this occasion we were five folk: myself & my best friend; my chum; her son; and, my chum's mother.

The family decided upon duck pancakes for their starter. My friend and I for different, but warming, soups. The duck was demolished and not a pancake was spared. I think we can say it went down a treat! My companion had won ton soup. Sometimes won tons can be slightly gristly or have a faint taste of fat. Not here. My companion was oohing over them. I opted for chicken & sweetcorn soup: there was plenty of the maize but little poultry. I have had better, but the soup was perfectly acceptable.

Everyone opted for different main courses. Nothing went back to the kitchen, save for empty plates and dishes. The wee lad has eaten noodles ever since he saw the first Kung Fu Panda film. He has them plain with egg-fried rice. It was lovely to see him eat so heartily.

My chum's mum and I both opted for noodle dishes. They serve the least greasy/oily noodles I have ever had. I chose a mixed seafood chow mein. It was perfect: the right amount to not over face but to satiate. I did not recognise everything I was eating; but it was all quite tasty.

My friend & my chum both commented on how light the egg-fried rice was, again no greasiness nor oiliness.

Service is just right: there if you need it, but not in one's face. I did not need to use my hand-gel, for towels are offered both prior to and post dining.

The food is not cheap, nor particularly expensive; for the quality and quantity I should state very reasonable.

Of course I shall be back next time I am in the North-East. %PPP

La Mar Salá, Freiduría, Nerja: Review

Somehow, on every visit to Andalusia we get pulled back to Nerja. It is very popular with ex-pats and property prices reflect this popularity. However, we visit for the peace and charm, which might appear to be a paradox due to the town being thronged with tourists almost all year round; but there are plenty of spots from the beaten track to relax and enjoy la vida española.

[Image description: aspects of one of Nerja's beach fronts]

Normally when in Nerja we dine at the restaurant underneath the Balcón de Europa. This time we fancied a change, especially given as we did not want a multi-course luncheon. We roamed the streets noting how reasonably priced the menús del día were at just under €10/head, excluding beverages. We opted for something we had not previously seen in Spain, La Mar Salá (Calle Pintada 3) which is a type of tapas restaurant, a freiduría which specialises in deep fried foods, but especially fish and seafood.

The next three shots are of the writer, my companion and the inside of the delightful eatery.

The salad above cost €6.80 and was sufficient for two or more: tuna, avocado, white asparagus, egg, tomato, salad leaves AND prawns.

Our total bill was just under €35 which included the salad, a ración of albóndigas (meat-balls), three half raciones of fish dishes and beers. We were totally sated. The food was not oily, which rather suggests that it was cooked at a high temperature and quickly - the best way.

The service was spot-on, we never felt rushed, and was friendlier than one might expect in a tourist hot-spot. We were even advised on a better table to take so as to distance ourselves from the WCs. Bless them!

[Image description: shots of one of Nerja's small beaches]

Sushi

Over the past few years when hosting a party I have invariably ordered in sushi from Waitrose Entertaining, excepting one occasion when a guest promised and indeed brought along a tray from Costco which was just as delicious.

Initially I was surprised at Brits chowing down on Nipponese cuisine, but every single occasion the sushi platter has been wiped clean. There has been in England's cities an inexorable rise in Japanese eateries, be it sushi restaurants or noodle bars. (Whilst I am a big fan of Italian pasta, I adore all kinds of Japanese-style noodles - easy to cook and served with a quick broth or just soy sauce.)

The English do not generally like their food raw - it is only in the past few years I discovered I may have my steak bleu or blue which is rarer than rare and absolutely delicious! So what has turned residents of a fishing nation to raw fish and seafood? Perhaps the multitude of cookery programmes (programs) on the television has alerted and educated folk to be more adventurous. Perhaps as British cuisine has ameliorated the more we travel and discover that foodstuffs can be cooked differently and taste so much better, and so our collective palate has altered.

What I do know is that sushi is a perfect finger-food. It can be eaten unadorned in one gulp or garnished with ginger or dipped in sauce or sprinkled with wasabi. Quite simply it can be adapted to a plethora of tastes and thus folk. Of the host, it requires little more than opening and placing on the table. Thus the need to constantly return to the oven to check on those adorable little canapés that burn the instant one turns one's back, interrupting conversations with one's guests, is completely avoided. It reduces stress for the host - a good thing at any party!

Having just given a party large enough to require more than three kilos of sushi (I estimate approximately 100g per guest - some pick, some gorge), I thought I would try to determine which of my regular orders is most popular.

Taiko Traditional Sushi Platter 1.2kg cost £26.00, £2.17/100g

courtesy & © Waitrose

Taiko Sushi Canapé Platter 1kg cost £26.00, £2.60/100g

courtesy & © Waitrose

Taiko Vegetarian Sushi Platter 760g cost £16.00, £2.11/100g

courtesy & © Waitrose

I thought for ease of reference I should place them in the order in which they were devoured - well except the veggie one, the remnants of which were taken away by a couple of guests for their brunch! I consider the second platter the most impressive visually, but oddly enough folk left the edamame beans. However, once a Hong Kong guest demonstrated, I was more than happy to nosh on them. I also got to sample the Arctic [surf] clam (Hokkigai) Nigiri for the first time ever: a tad chewy but delicious!

To my mind - and only sampled on my guests of course - the Taiko Traditional Sushi Platter offered the best value for money, especially given it was the most popular. The veggie option proved to be less popular… But don't take my word, try them out for yourselves! %PPP