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.

Quimet & Quimet, Barcelona: a Review

Prior to visiting Barcelona, knowing I should be temporarily residing in the barrio of Poble Sec, I looked up recommended eateries on various foodie sites. Every one I checked out recommended Quimet & Quimet as THE place to eat.

I almost never queue to enter an eatery. Due to the exceptionality of the recommendations for Q&Q, my travelling companion and myself on this one occasion decided we should wait with the other wannabe eaters standing patiently in a British-style queue outside of Quimet & Quimet. We were a few minutes early for opening time and to be fair Q&Q opened exactly on time. I have no idea whether queues are normal for them, or whether we mix of Brits, Japanese, US Americans and even Spaniards, were just an unusual, eccentric bunch of obsessed foodies.

As the doors opened, the queue held back until the opener re-entered the tapería. Then it was all in, quick dash. There are zero seats for the place is tiny. Anyone in a wheelchair is best parking up outside. Being on the pavement is probably the cooler option anyway! There is no wc here: so ensure you have used facilities elsewhere prior to arrival. However, the walls just seem to keep going up, up up (images below - sorry for blurriness) and are covered with shelves holding various bottles of alcohol, some even costing hundreds of Euros.

 

I noticed some Spanish (locals or returnees?) removed their bags and stowed them in a cupboard beneath the dining-surface. We shared our 'shelf' with a couple of young Brit lasses, but all was silent as we scoured the menu.

I opted for partridge with apricot, prune and almond (image above) with a glass of Q&Q's own brand ale. This is the luxury end of the tapas/pinchos/pinxos market. Delicious flavours, perfectly tender and oddly substantial. The dark ale was so delicious, and very much like a British bitter. We bought a bottle to take home.

 

Feeling quite full already, I next opted for a smoked salmon tapas, washed down with a dry white wine. Again delicious. By this time the volume in Q&Q meant one had to shout over the cacophony - menu-reading time was over. We did enjoy shout-chatting with the two young ladies sharing the ledge and mutually recommending other taperías to one another, for Poble Sec is rapidly becoming the area in which to search out cheap, quality food served with alcoholic beverages, especially amongst the young, back-packers and similar.

Quimet & Quimet was even recommended to us by two different taxi-drivers in Barcelona, including one who averred that he ate there himself. We also can only recommend Q&Q. But if you want to be heard, we recommend queueing to get in with the first cohort prior to the noise levels rising and the proximity of multiple bodies pressing into one's own flesh.

Maracas in 2018

In February I published the following on Tripadvisor. Here is the the full script with additional images.

Inside looking out.

Once again I am sojourning in Benalmádena, Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol. As is my habit, I am again frequenting my favourite café-bar on the beach. Maracas Bil-Bil has been established here some fifteen years or so and with each year, despite the odd natural disaster bringing business to a halt for a day or two, goes from strength to strength. During the nights of high summer it is quite a hip spot; but during the rest of the year the clientèle is very mixed: locals and tourists from across the globe; from babies right through to the agèd. Together they imbibe, nosh, chatter, play and take the sun. The brave even take a dip in the sea some five to ten metres away - depending on the tide!

Cocktail menu & two sample beverages

Also the cuisine offers something for almost everyone. Vegetarians and carnivores alike. Although the menu does not specifically cater for vegans, if one asks, the staff will do their best to offer something appropriate.

Over the years, I have sampled many of the options offered on the menu. After all, I am here most days that the sun shines. A new dish for me to try this year is the Ensalada Bil-Bil (Bil-Bil Salad - image above). It contains: mixed lettuce leaves including radicchio - these were unblemished, crisp and tasty; a caramelised slice of goat cheese - this was a total surprise and a tasty and wonderfully textured delight as the cheese was firm and the caramelisation was sweet as atop a crème caramel; slices of air-dried duck (jamón de pato) - they melted on the tongue and the flavour was sublime, just heavenly; toasted pine-nuts - which added additional crunch, texture and a nutty flavour; and, finally, what is described in English as an “apple vinaigrette” - for my tastes this was a tad too sweet, but that is normal for the Spanish palette. All the flavours, textures and colours created a culinary delectation for the tongue, the palette and the eye. My one minor criticism would be that the salad was served over chilled, which initially muted some of the flavours. However, one has to understand that in the typical heat of southern Iberia such cooling is totally necessary.

My salad was washed down with a couple of glasses of chilled house rosé at €3 apiece. I needed no other food as I was quite, quite sated. At €9 for the salad, this represents good value for money for the quality and quantity. I strongly recommend the Ensalada Bil-Bil. And, after something like a decade-and-a-half of being an habitué of the establishment, I thoroughly recommend Maracas Bil-Bil to the traveller.

Other dishes I savoured during my extended stay were Teriyaki chicken on a bed of steamed rice and tapa of Ensaladilla Rusa (without beetroot as in UK!).

"El Classico" Tapas Restaurant, Tickhill: a Review

[Image descriptions: mural of the windmills of La Mancha, Spain, in the main dining area]

I reside in Cheshire and have some friends in Grimsby, Doncaster and Scunthorpe, none of which are places that might be termed trendy or even touristy. Normally my carer takes the motorways and we get there as quickly as possible. For my last visit across the Pennines on a lovely autumnal Saturday, we decided to take the scenic route to Sheffield and then onwards to Grimsby for a long weekend. The chosen route was expected to add an extra one to two hours, but we enjoyed the bucolic countryside between towns.

[Image descriptions: "El Classico" signage above the bar]

Hunger meant that we glanced at the atlas and decided to break for luncheon in Maltby. The latter was so dishevelled we did not even stop the car and continued on to the next town, Tickhill. And so glad we did so. Seeing a pub-sign ahead I advised my driver to pull in. There is ample parking to the rear of the pub cum tapas restaurant, El Classico. The name is Spanglish for the classic/el clásico.

[Image descriptions: left, drinks menu; right, tapas menu]

Inside are nooks & crannies, as in most traditional English pubs, but here filled with assorted dining furniture. However, after walking past the grand mock-Tudor bar, one enters a wide dining-hall prepared for large to intimate dining parties (see top image).

Our young waiter was immaculately attired in black shirt & slacks, Spanish waiter style, but soon gave the game away with his broad brogue that he was a local Yorkshireman. At all times throughout our meal, he was attentive, professional and personable. A genuine credit to the restaurant. The youngster explained how the eat-as-much-as-you-want system worked all for a fixed price. Drinks cost extra.

[Image descriptions: our first selection of tapas with beers]

Many of the tapas were comparatively small, more like the portion size of those served gratis in Spanish bars with one's drinks. However, the advantage is that one has space to sample other dishes - or more of the same if one so wishes.

Here I should note that the chef was more than happy to prepare dishes without garlic - to which I am seriously allergic. This is exactly what I find in Spain, where in some fourteen/fifteen years of visits, I have not once had an allergic reaction in eateries. Being a huge fish fan, I was absolutely delighted that chef was able to cook several fish dishes for me. All the delicious food served to my companion and myself was totally authentic, despite no actual Hispanics toiling in the kitchen. The tapas served are not haute cuisine - as found in many a Barcelona tapería, but the kind of healthy & tasty tapas found throughout Iberia.

I cannot say whether there is a disabled-accessible w.c., as on this occasion I was mobile and able to use the ordinary gents toilet. This was scrupulously clean and very spacious.

We intend to revisit El Classico, as it is in a good location, a sort of half-way house between chums, so friends can meet us there. Oh yummy!

Nacalú Restaurant, Málaga: a Review

During my recent visit to the city of Málaga, after dining elsewhere I was fortunate to be stopped by Toni outside Nacalú restaurant. His welcoming smile & gentle manner encouraged my carer & myself to return on another occasion to the eatery at which he works. We were not in the least disappointed. The food, service & ambience were so satisfying, we returned for a second repast!

 [Image description: the writer seated on the terrace in front of the front façade]

 [Image description: my carer seated on the terrace with a Nacalú fan]

On our first visit, after watching the Pasarela Larios, we arrived at eleven-twenty in the evening. Dining at that time on a Friday - no problem. We were served by the delightfully ebullient, helpful & professional Catana. The dry white wine she recommended to accompany our respective meals was just spot-on.

I chose a ración - a full dish (image below) - of rosado (kingklip) with gambas (shrimp), peas and a creamy cheese sauce. So light & tasty and yet at the same time it had the quality of comfort food. Yummy!

My companion decided upon a trio of tapas (image below): morcillo (black pudding/blood sausage); baked potato bravas; and, tortilla española (potato omelette). He wolfed the lot.

We did try a dessert apiece, but were a tad disappointed. The 'buckets' of digestifs (image below) followed by gratis shots, however, ensured we left fully contented.

We visited again on a Sunday. After an afternoon of sunbathing on the beach, we were delighted to be the sole diners inside, as opposed to the terrace, cooling under zephyrs from the air-conditioning.

On this occasion I again selected a full fish dish (upper image below), swordfish this time. Carer opted for tuna tartare (lower image below). I sampled - it was superb!

We again tried two different desserts, and once again were disappointed. From the images below one can perceive that presentation is not the issue; but texture and excessive sweetness let down the dishes.

The w.c. is disabled-accessible and was spotless when I paid a visit.

Service on both occasions we visited was perfect: neither distant nor prying.

I would heartily recommend this restaurant; but should suggest that one takes dessert elsewhere unless once has a particularly sweet-tooth. We shall be returning when next we are in Málaga.

La Italiana, Estepona: a Review

Last year I thoroughly enjoyed an outing to Estepona (West of San Pedro de Alcántara, heading towards Gibraltar) and compared it to a less developed and less touristy Marbella. My companion and I discovered a clothing chain called Baileys - mainly due to their shop being one of the few open during siesta. Rico, my friend, discovered that the Spanish body-shape used by the store’s suppliers suits him better than that used by UK clothing retailers. And so we decided on another visit. Rico ended up with a couple of pairs of new jeans and some new tops. Even I was persuaded to purchase a lightweight over-top, which has come in rather useful here in Benalmádena, where the days are more often than not as warm as an English summer, but where, once the sun sets, the coolness of an English Autumn quickly saps the diurnal heat.

Naturally, after some serious shopping, we were in need of refreshment. We would have settled for tapas, but Rico espied a small square (more rhomboid really!) we had not discovered previously. We crossed the road and were pleasantly surprised to determine that it was solely filled with eateries, other than a classy (high-end) lighting emporium.

La Italiana’s outer façade (see image above) is nothing special: it appears as hundreds of other café-bars in Spain. What lured us inside was the enticing aroma of fresh coffee…

Inside (see image above), we were still prepared to go for savoury until we spotted the cake counter (see image below), filled with mouth-watering confections.

I opted for a meringue-topped, vanilla and light pastry concoction; Rico for the world-renowned Torta de Santiago [de Compostela], a dense yet unexpectedly light almond cake. Yet even the sweetness of the cakes did not detract from the smooth, delicately nutty, just the right side of bitter, Lavazza coffees.

The Italian waiter was on his own whilst the waitress was away on her lunch-break, but he coped admirably - with grace, amiability and politeness - with the large numbers of constantly changing covers. As ever in Spain (unlike in some Italian tourist spots), there was no rush for us to go. We took photos; we people-watched; we used the spotless conveniences; we had a second coffee. And so we were totally relaxed when it finally was time for us to take our exit.

La Huerta, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena: Review

Regular readers of this blog will by now have realised I am currently in Spain. Whilst the Spanish are trying to catch up, the infrastructure companies are dallying in rolling out modern, fast internet (amongst other telecommunications difficulties - just try getting a telephone line!). I have had to hunt hither & thither for a good wifi connection. In the hotel it costs me €20/week and is slower than the 1.5 Mb/s I get back home! So I found a zona wifi gratuita - free wifi - at La Huerta tapas-bar.

The staff are lovely. The food even lovelier. And I should never in a million years have thought to chill Rioja; but mmmmmmmm how it works! A glass of wine and a tapas costs typically about €4-5, depending on what you select.

I had best also point out that I have not used La Huerta once without a local or tourist starting me up in conversation. It is that kind of friendly place.

Of course, I recommend. I visit once to twice each week. And by the by, their espresso - or café solo corto - is delicious: just do not let on to the owner that the barman makes the better cup! ;)

[Image description: external front façade]

[Image description: barman & owner; they insist they are both tasty

but I have not licked them to determine if this is so!]

[Image description: magro {thigh jamón} con tomate]

[Image description: my favourite of their dishes, pulpo a la Galega

- don't ask what it is, just try it!]

[Image description: salchichones with chilled Rioja]

Enjoy!

%P

Matahambre, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena: Review

After a Friday night jazz concert in February in Benalmádena's cultural centre (in Arroyo de la Miel) ending at ten in the evening, my companion Ana & I were ready for some nosh (food). In Spain that is just about peak time for dinner, so we were surprised that Matahambre (which literally means "kill hunger"!) were able to fit us in; but they squeezed us into a corner. There is outside seating and it was totally available, but it was a tad too cool to sit outside at that time of night.

Inside looks like a mediæval cellar; but I am reliably informed that the décor is all new for this latest of hip eateries in the town's commercial district.

[Image description: inside the restaurant just before midnight!]

In the above photograph one can see top left, goat's cheese salad (@ €7.50/media ración), and top right, partridge salad (@ €8.25/media ración). Having been charged €6 for a simple green salad of lettuce & cucumber in one of the beach-front restaurants, I feel taking into account their size, cost, quality and presentation were well worth the pennies spent. Neither of us finished our salads, but the staff were more than happy to make doggy bags for the both of us.

And why did we not finish such delicious food you may well ask: well, we had seen the desert menu and dishes being served up to table. We two chocoholics had set our hearts on sampling the triple chocolate cake (@ €4.75) - and we were not in the least disappointed.

Two glasses of wine, two waters and a Fanta limón after two hours of gossiping came to €10, the going rate at most cafés, bars and restaurants.

[Image descriptions: Ana & the writer enjoying the TRIPLE CHOCOLATE cake!]

The service from the guapo waiters & managers (who were chucking in their hands too) was at times a tad dilatory, but given the place was packed to the rafters hardly astonishing.

I shall definitely be returning to Matahambre again to sample more delights from their extensive menu. This tapas restaurant is a MUST for any visitor to Benalmádena! %D

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]