07 Apr 2012 2:55 PM:
Hi,
I have always found it almost impossible to judge how good a recommendation is. I have often heard people raving about places I wouldn't go into if it was the last place on earth. But equally some of my favourite places have been slated by friends I thought would have a similar taste.
The big problem is perception! I judge a "good" place by the overall experience and that in Spain means to me "not pandering to the Brit's". I can never relate to people who look for English food abroad and bars called the Red Lion or A-boards with Union Jack's on them!
So here are few of my favourite places. I wholeheartedly agree with others about La Sal Chiringuito on the beach just off the Casares roundabout. The waves splash right up to the front steps and with the sound of the sea and the warm Mediterranean air it is just lovely. The food is very nice as well. You can normally judge how good these place are by the type of customer. Here you get quite a few discerning Spanish eating out and that speaks volume's in my book. Try the freshly caught Sea Bass with a glass of Spanish dry white wine. Fabulous! Or Prawns Pil Pil a speciality of theirs. Run by the owner and who can seem a bit abrupt but he is fine really and only wants you to enjoy the visit.
A good drive out is a visit to Rhonda. Fantastic scenery on the mountain road to this ancient town. Rhonda is the home of the oldest Bullring in Spain and is built over a huge gorge with a spectacular bridge spanning the deepest part right in the town centre. Lots of places to eat here through the streets and in the square but if you go into the cellar of the hotel right on the bridge you come to a restaurant that opens out onto a balcony actually in the side of the gorge itself. Quite spectacular and very good food.
In the middle of the modern busy city of Marbella there is hidden the "Old Town" and in the centre is "Naranjes Square". Atmospheric with a whiff of Jasmin and lots of street restaurants. No cars, this is strictly pedestrians only and very relaxing.
Try Puerto del la Duquesa which is just past Estepona. This is a lovely low key marina surrounded by cafes and restaurants and In the daytime it is wonderfully relaxing just sitting by the harbourside watching the boats gently bobbing. If you walk west along the promenade you will find Castillo. This is a hamlet by the sea with a castle tower and a small square with about a dozen restaurants. Worth a visit!
The "White Villages" in the hills such as Casares offer wonderful car free streets and a different pace. Again lots of small restaurants with a variety of tastes on offer. There is a restaurant on the edge of the town that has a balcony looking over the village and the valley below where you sit and watch the "Condors" with their 8 feet wingspan just soaring on the hot thermals.
A great selection of good food in fabulous surroundings can be found at the many "Golf Courses"on the Costa del Sol. Probably somewhere you have never thought of visiting if your not a golfer but you will find that virtually all clubhouses will welcome you for lunch and there are no restrictions because you are not a golfer. Over 60 to chose from but I would particularly recommend San Roque set in what was the "Domecq" sherry family's old villa in the oak cork orchards of Sotogrande. Very friendly and great to sit on the patio with waiters serving you in the sun. You can have fun trying any of the clubhouses they are all friendly and you will more than likely find a favourite very close to home. Try them you will be pleasantly surprised most of the time.
As you probably can tell I get a bit carried away when talking about the Costa del Sol. I love it and it has something for everyone no matter your taste or preference. So I will stop now and I wish you great pleasure with your exploring.
Terry T
Thread:
Where to go on the Costa Del Sol for Lunch
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