Not being golfers the beautiful restaurant at Desert Springs doesn’t normally feature when we are recommending a venue. This week we were guests of good friends celebrating their wedding anniversary.
Desert Springs offers a lot more than Golf, there is a Cricket Academy, conveniently located within the resort, within walking distance from team accommodations, comprising an international size world-class quality grass pitch complemented with floodlights, shower and changing facilities. A number of County teams use it for winter and pre-season training camps. They also host Football, Cycling and Tennis camps, have a fully equipped fitness centre and there is the Gym, developed in consultation with Daley Thompson. Ian Botham has a villa here and can often be seen in and around the area.
There is a good choice of places to eat. The Deck at the Club House offers a wide choice of light lunch time food available through daylight hours, including tasty soups, tapas, salads, burgers, pasta, wraps and filled ciabattas.
The Crocodile Club Restaurant & Rosewood Bar. The ‘Croc’ features an eclectic menu of Mediterranean, Pacific Rim and Thai dishes, along with fresh fish and grills, Pastas and Pizzas and Desert Hamburgers; lots for kids and something special for the adults. Tables are available in the restaurant around the open fire or on the terraces or outside in the semi-secluded terraced garden. The restaurant is open for lunch and/or dinner according to the season.
El Chiringuito Pool Bar, serves light lunches and a range of superb healthy fruit punches of the innocent and more grown up variety, the pool bar is a great place to lounge and shoot the breeze.
The Cave Bar, known as La Cueva del Almanzora, this original but refurbished cave has a really cool bar and offers an extraordinary private meeting room and exclusive and atmospheric private dining facilities in its underground gallery.
We went to the El Torrente Restaurant, it is known for its fine Spanish dining including several very special local dishes and fresh fish. It is in a beautiful setting with a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. The main restaurant is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also provides a Bar and Deck Menu with a wide choice of light lunch time food available through daylight hours, including tasty soups, tapas, salads, burgers, pasta, wraps and filled ciabattas. We ate from the Chef’s Selection Menu..
CHEF´S SELECTION MENU STARTERS Chilled Cream of Almond Soup with Honeyed Croutons and Sweet Tomatoes Raf Tomato Salad with Longfin Tuna and a Garlic and Parsley Oil Lightly Battered Pickled Fish with a Carrot Dressing Iberian Pork Cheek and Goat´s Cheese Vol au Vent MAIN COURSES Slow Roasted Pork Shank with a Black Pepper Sauce Accompanied by Hassleback Potatoes and a Courgette and Yellow Pepper Ratatouille Baked Swordfish Steak in a Tamarind and Ginger Sauce Accompanied by Vegetable Basmati Rice Creamy Rice with Squid, Prawns and Tarragon Vegetarian Dish – Pasta with a Creamy Wild Mushroom Sauce CHEF´S SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS Pan Fried Iberian Pork End Loin with Sautéed Garlic and Apple Vinegar Accompanied by Hassleback Potatoes and a Courgette and Yellow Pepper Ratatouille Pan Fried Fillet of Norwegian Salmon with a Dijon and Maple Syrup Sauce Accompanied by Vegetable Basmati Rice Lamb Chops with Mint Sauce Accompanied by Hassleback Potatoes and a Courgette and Yellow Pepper Ratatouille Grilled Fillet Steak 200g / 250g Accompanied by Chips and Salad Sunday Roast- Please ask the waiting team for further details Accompanied by Roast Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables DESSERTS Chilled Coconut Custard Apple Crumble with Ice Cream Orange and Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries Fresh Fruit Salad Starter, Main Course, Dessert and Coffee
A couple of the “Big Boys” opted for the large steaks and the clean plates told their story. I had the tasty Pork Shank. The ladies had the Cod and Duck and all were very nice. The Muga was a good choice of wine and the “special” chocolate brownies and coffees rounded off a lovely evening.
Desert Springs is well worth a visit for a celebration with friends or a special meal for two.
I can’t comment on price as we were guests but we found it very reasonable! Check out their web site here for lots of information, as we haven’t been to the other restaurants I have used some of their text but I’m sure Desert Springs won’t mind the publicity and we intend to visit the Croc bar soon.. This video gives a “taste” of the restaurant, the sound is not essential!
We paid a visit to Vera’s seafood fair in El Palmeral yesterday. You can choose individual dishes or go for the set platters for two people. Drinks extra of course.
We went at lunchtime and it was very quiet, probably a better atmosphere in the evening. The seafood was good and worth trying.
Vera is blessed with a 6 Km golden sanded coastline.
There are 4 separate beaches. Las Marinas-Bolaga, Puerto Rey, Playazo and Quitapellejos. They are about 6Km, a 10 minute drive, most of the year from Finca Arboleda.
Quitapellejos, located to the north of the coastline is a small charming beach free of crowds.
Playa el Playazo, has more than 2Km of golden sand and is very popular but peaceful, it is designated as a nudist beach, so not for everyone.
Puerto Rey, is very popular and home to the lagoon which in itself is home to flora and fauna as well as various types of Ducks. There are various sports and nautical activities available. It also hosts many restaurants catering for all tastes, ideal for lunch and a break from the sunbathing.
Las Marinas-Bolaga, is ideal for those who seek a bit more activity with horse riding, tennis courts, water sports and gyms. The beautiful palm lined promenade has chiringuitos and restaurants.
All the beaches are very well maintained and policed for your safety. It is recommended that you read the “Do and Don’t” boards as you arrive at the beach.
They are very strict on not allowing Dogs on the beach especially in high season. While I can understand this to some extent it would be nice if there was a small strip where people could walk with them early morning or in the evening. This isn’t just a Vera rule but it covers most of Andalusia.
From 13 to 23 July at the El Palmeral Exhibition Centre. Free admission. Open from 12 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight. More information on tel. 666103447
If you love fresh seafood this is a must, we went a couple of years ago and it was tasty and interesting to try dishes that are not easily available locally, washed down with a glass (or two) of Albariño.
Maraú Beach Club is all set to be a popular destination this summer. We haven’t tried the food but the menu is extensive and reasonably priced considering the beachfront location. They also have a pool and sunbeds. When we went it was reasonably busy and they were playing pleasant music, not too loud.
It looks like the place to be seen, I prefer a more traditional Chiringuito.
The restaurant is open from 13:00 to 16:00 and from 20:00 to 23:30. Reservations: 950 961 961 Their Facebook page says the bar is open from 11.00 till 06.00
This video does a good job of showing what they offer.
So we popped into Valle de Esta golf course, about 3Km from Finca Arboleda with friends yesterday.
When they had finished their appointment it was time for some lunch. Nothing at the course caught our eye, although we will go back and try what they have to offer. They are keen walkers and have met at what we call Truck Stop and is apparently called “Restaurante Isabel Alonso” just off junction 529 on the E15 but have just had a quick coffee there before. We have heard good things about it and decided to give it a try for a “Menu del Dia”.
Although it is at a filling station the decor is not too shabby, it has friendly staff and the obligatory TV blares away in the corner. We chose our table, ordered 3 pints of refreshingly cold beer and a large water which arrived promptly and the waitress recited the choices for starters and mains. We ordered 3 Paellas and a Sopa de Marisco followed by 2 Chicken dishes a Steak and Pork fillet all served with salad, fries and ratatouille. The Chicken Paella was tasty and perfect texture, all the mains were well cooked and to our satisfaction. There was a choice of desserts which were a little uninspiring, fruit salad was fine but to honest we were already replete. We digested the meal over a coffee and requested bill, we had no idea how much it would be and should have played the Rob Brydon “How much is the bill” game, fans of “The Trip” will know what I mean. €40 and a voucher for 5 litres of fuel thrown in*, a bargain, we’ll be back!
We have been to The Bistro a few times and it never disappoints.
View From The Bistro
Main Courses At The Bistro
Starters At The Bistro
Our latest visit was perfect in every way. The restaurant is situated at Playa Laguna and enjoys a lovely uninterrupted sea view from the other side of the road. You can of course sit inside but it is one of our favourites for an outdoor meal. Spencer and his team were attentive and friendly. The menu has a lot of choice but not too much and there are generally specials as well.
The food was hot and freshly cooked. We had the Cod Goujons and Chicken Teriyaki for starters and the Friday Fish & Chips and Spare Ribs as mains and all 4 were lovely. Can’t comment on the puds as we were replete and we’re not small eaters! So two ample courses, coffee and 4 drinks for 40€ including a deserved tip, we went home happy and enjoyed a G&T in the garden. We have no hesitation in recommending The Bistro to our guests. www.discoveralmeria.com
Boracay restaurant is situated on the beach at Garrucha with tables outside or indoors. It is very stylish and modern. They do not serve a budget menu del dia but offer a wide selection of tasty tapas, raciones and fish or meat main courses.
We were a group of eight and had a selection of raciones of fish dishes, mussels, large hake balls, cod and squid all well cooked in different sauces. This was probably enough but we had already ordered a mixed paella for six people. It was quite moist, which is how I prefer it and was full of chicken and fish and decorated with mussels and prawns. Although full one of our group insisted that I join him by having a chocolate brownie! We brought home a substantial doggy bag for Stig and he gave it his approval.
Verdict? Not cheap but a lovely restaurant in a beautiful setting, the food was excellent, well served and we all enjoyed it. Certainly one for a special occasion or just pop in for a beer and tapa, you won’t regret it.
We visited the Gastro fair on Saturday. It was a glorious afternoon in the lovely setting of El Palmeral and it was very well supported with up to a 1000 people there. To be honest I’m pretty rubbish at estimating crowds so it may have been less! There were about 20 food stalls there from various local restaurants as well as beer tents and a few bodegas.
There were also cookery demonstrations and live music. It is certainly worth a visit if they repeat it later in the year.
Gastro food fair in VeraGastro food fair in VeraGastro food fair in Vera
Not being golfers the beautiful restaurant at Desert Springs doesn’t normally feature when we are recommending a venue. This week we were guests of good friends celebrating their wedding anniversary.
We paid a visit to Vera’s seafood fair in El Palmeral yesterday. You can choose individual dishes or go for the set platters for two people. Drinks extra of course.
The GALLEGA DEL MARISCO FAIR is on in Vera.
