Review - Restaurant La Plaza, Canillas de Albaida, Malaga
Over a long period of time (more years than I care to
remember in fact) I have eaten in every restaurant in the mountain villages of
Competa, Canillas de Albaida, Arches and Sayalonga.
Many no longer exist, many have changed management, new
ones open up regularly and of course there are also those that simply should
not be there at all!!!
Then of course there are those where the management
remains but a new chef is bought in.
This could be due to various reasons, perhaps the chef moves on, perhaps
the chef is replaced. Whatever the
reason, a new chef can often revive a restaurant that may have become
tired. Equally, a new chef can also kill
a previously popular restaurant too.
Restaurant La Plaza has seen several new chefs over
the years. It’s always been popular and
sits in a beautiful position too. It is
part of
I have eaten there on many occasions myself. Not for a long period though for which there
have been some valid reasons. One being
that we were unsure whether or not it was still trading!
However, recent advertising announcing a new chef and a
new menu too inspired us to go back.
With my brother and sister-in-law visiting for a few days,
it seemed the perfect opportunity for a re-visit, especially as this is one
restaurant they had actually never been to on previous visits.
Unfortunately, there was a cold breeze that evening
(despite now being summer). However we
had no choice but to sit outside due to me
currently being unable to the tackle stairs up to the dining area
inside.
For my starter course, I chose the Indonesian spare ribs with bean sprout salad.
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| Indonesian Rack of Ribs with Bean Sprout Salad |
A reasonable size rack of ribs, marinated and cooked until
almost falling off the bone. Succulent, tender
and flavoursome. Albeit, a little dry at
either end, due to re-heating I suspect!
The bean sprout salad was a perfect accompaniment. Mixed with onion and peppers and served with
a tasty dressing. Personally, I would
have preferred a thicker, sweeter sauce, which would also have been perfect for
mopping up with the ribs too.
Despite this, it was a good choice and I would order it
again.
For the main meal, I opted for Duck Confit. A dish rarely
found in restaurants in Spain
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| Duck Confit |
I was not disappointed either, a perfect choice. Perfectly cooked confit duck leg, positioned
on top of a carrot and potato mash, well seasoned and quite smooth. All accompanied with fresh and crunchy
broccoli and cauliflower florets, carrot slices and roast potatoes. The thick gravy completed the dish, which had
a slight sweetness to it and a perfect flavour balance, but not quite enough of
it! I did request extra a short while
later and was expecting it to be bought to the table separately. However, I was a little taken aback when the
Waitress whisked away my plate and returned it now swimming in far too much gravy. This time however, it had not been reduced to
provide the same previous consistency, nor was there the sweetness either. Very runny and a little too salty too which
rather spoiled what was originally a perfect dish.
That said, I’ll know another time to request the gravy be
served separately upon placing the order and plenty of it too! My only other request would be not to have
the sliced carrots. The other vegetables
were plenty, rendering the additional carrots unnecessary.
Fast forward…………………………….
That delicious meal was almost 3 weeks ago. I was unable to publish this earlier due to
receiving many guests/visitors from family and friends and therefore had little
time to prepare it for posting.
In the meantime, I, together with my husband, in-laws and
several friends have visited La Plaza again.
This time, it was a beautiful summer evening, without the
cold wind as before. The owner, Gustavo
was also waiting every table the whole evening.
He was on holiday during our last visit, so it was nice to see him this
time as it’s been a few years.
Wanting to try a different dish, this visit I chose the Beef Fillet with Mushroom Sauce for the
main my course.
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| Beef Fillet |
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| Beef Fillet |
I order steak with caution most of the time. It’s rarely perfectly cooked to my liking,
resulting in disappointment and sending it back! There is normally only one particular
restaurant where I always order steak and nothing else (review of that to
follow another time). So to order steak
here was a risk for me. But don’t tell
Gustavo please!!!!!
When my dish arrived I was so pleased to see the fresh
Cauliflower and Broccoli Florets again, alongside the Carrot and Potato
mash. The beautiful looking Beef fillet
was placed on top of the mushroom sauce.
However, I was also hoping for those delicious roast potatoes again, but
no. In there place I received Patatas a
lo Pobre (poor mans potatoes). A simple
side of sliced potatoes, cooked in olive oil with seasoning, sliced onions and
peppers. A nice dish but not, in my
opinion, restaurant quality fare. Tapas yes
or served in the home, but not in many restaurants and definitely not alongside
fillet steak!
Before tucking in, my first task was to check out the
cooking of the beef. I cut straight
through the middle as this is the only way to check if it is cooked to my
liking (medium). Perfectly cooked beef fillet, one happy diner as I hate having to
return food with complaints!!
The mushroom sauce was delicious too and certainly helped
me to quickly forget I was still missing those beautiful roast potatoes!
My Husband ordered the Salmon, as recommended by
Gustavo. He was pleased with his choice
too and was relieved it was served with new potatoes (with butter for dipping
in) and a salad. He will not touch
“trees” as he calls them. In other
words, real vegetables!
I was too full to enjoy a dessert on our previous visit so
was keen not to miss out again!!!!
No dessert menu as such was offered to peruse. Instead, Gustavo explained what was
available. The choices were, Crema
Catalana, Crème Brulee, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Tiramasu or Chocolate Mousse.
The first two instantly struck me as strange choice to
offer both as an option. One is Spanish,
One French but basically the same dessert!
The only difference being the cooking method of each. That aside, some delicious choices were
offered.
Like many, I do enjoy a good Sticky Toffee Pudding.
However despite not being adverse to dates, I do prefer a pudding
without them. Purists will naturally be
frowning at that comment! But, I find
they spoil it by making the pudding too heavy and bring nothing to the texture
or flavour. I love a moist, light sponge
with a lot of toffee sauce!
Before ordering, I questioned the ingredients in the
sponge and was delighted when Gustavo assured me there were no dates. Despite being a little sceptical, as I have
been told this in other restaurants, only to find it is in fact packed with
dates, I went ahead and ordered it.
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| Sticky Toffee Pudding |
Excellent, the best
Sticky Toffee Pudding I have ever been served in a restaurant! Upon its arrival, I was disappointed to see
such a small portion. Despite this, I
was however unable to finish it!!!!!! A
little fresh cream was swirled into the toffee sauce which made for a nice
presentation. So too was the addition of
Walnuts.
TASTEOMETER’S RATING:-
I most definitely recommend this Restaurant.
The Hotel Posada La
Plaza, opposite the restaurant in La Plaza (the square) also has much to
offer (click link at start of post to view website). The square is for pedestrian
access only. However motorbikes occasionally
ride through. Cars are unable to enter
the Plaza. But, for those with walking
difficulties you can enter by car upon prior arrangement with the management
when booking (applies to both Hotel and Restaurant only bookings). This is necessary for the security post to be
released upon your arrival. No
facilities for disabled are available within the restaurant nor Hotel.
Inside (upstairs) and roof terrace dining available. Outside dining, within the Plaza.
Friendly service and nothing is too much trouble.
Food - 9/10 Very good
Service - 8/10 Good
Location 5/10 Pretty setting, but not suitable for disabled
or infirm
Patrons
Pricing 9/10 Fair
Food choice 8/10 Good – Vegetarian Main Meals offered, but no
Starters available!
That sticky toffee pudding looks unbelievably good! One of my favorite desserts.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was Heather, thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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