BAR PACO BUENO This is a traditional Pintxo bar with a social-club atmosphere, reminiscent of old-school style. It attracts a diverse crowd, including many local families and tourists of all ages. The bar prominently features themes of boxing, rugby, and Basque rowing, with its walls adorned with vintage memorabilia. It is run by owner Paco Bueno (who was a boxer in his younger days ) and his sons. It’s lively, entertaining and has a friendly atmosphere. The specialities incl

RESTAURANTE CASA TORIBIO PERMANENTLY CLOSED 2024 (The restaurant is now a new establishment) This is a very traditional restaurant in the heart of Madrid. In 1980, they opened as a pub called New Street, whose interior was based on a London street. After several years of making their name with Gin-Tonic with lemon peel, champagne cocktails, and Irish coffee, they began acquiring exclusive Rabo de Toro de Lidia (bull meat) from the nearby Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas (the

UPDATE DECEMBER 2024: This venue has gone through many changes and is now LA MARUJONA CHÁCHARA BAR Calle de Caballeros, 2, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, España +34 618 05 02 82 The venue currently gets good reviews for the food and drink, although we have not been there ourselves. PREVIOUSLY PULPO Y APARTE & LA TAPERÍA MESÓN DEL ASADOR If you are looking for grilled and or octopus in Jerez de la Frontera, this is the place to come. If you like pulpo (octopus), you wi

BAR TXEPETXA We returned to another favourite. You may have second thoughts when you walk into this traditional bar and see all the retro ceramic anchovy pintos displayed there. Don’t…………….. nothing here is false. All anchovy/boquerone pintxos here are made to order and served within a few minutes. You can choose from a variety of toppings displayed on the fish-shaped menu boards at the back of the bar. One board features the antxoas (anchovies), while the other shows the exc

A day trip from Sevilla to Carmona Carmona is built on a ridge overlooking the central plain of Andalucía. To the north is the Sierra Morena, and to the south is the peak of San Cristobal. The city is known for its thriving trade in wine, olive oil, grain, and cattle, and it holds an annual fair in April. Carmona is among the most historic towns in southern Europe. It is walkable and is a living museum of the civilisations that have conquered it, from the Carthaginians to the

VENTA SANT JORDI After a fantastic bike ride in and around the mountains near Alcoy , Howard Goldsmith of Alicante Sunshine Villas ends with a revisit for Sunday l unch at Venta Sant Jordi, 4 km short of Alcoy. Venta Sant Jordi (St George) is our favourite; we haven’t been there for a while. So, we looked forward to Sunday and were not disappointed. The location is stunning. For motorbike lovers, it is on a wide corner, where you can watch the bikers take the corner with th

RESTAURANTE CHÉ RAGAZZI - GASTRO FUSIÓN ITALIANO ARGENTINO Review by our friend Howard Goldsmith of Alicante Sunshine Villas We have been a little spoiled this weekend. On Friday, we went to Elda to try a relatively new restaurant that we had heard good things about. I’m not sure we were convinced about the Italian/Argentinian fusion idea before we arrived, but we were believers afterwards. There are three Menu options: Italian, Argentinian, and mixed. I think they are priced

HOSTAL LA TORRE If you are looking for a great, chilled place to stay outside the hustle and bustle of Sant Antoni, head to Hostal La Torre. It is set high on a cliff called Cap Nde eget, about 4 km outside Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio), looking out towards the luscious blue Mediterranean. Luscious gardens The terrace provides a stunning panoramic view of the beautiful surrounding area. It has a nice courtyard garden area to the rear and a lovely restaurant with a won

SA TRENKA RESTAURANT We decided to take a trip up north of the Island from Sant Antoni (San Antonio) to a beach and restaurant we had not been to before. We found a stunning beach, Calla Martina, and a charming, unpretentious chiringuito with a great vibe that specialised in rice dishes and seafood. The perfect ‘alternative’ Ibiza to some trendy, expensive places south of the Island. We booked a table for 2 pm and then walked along the beach. On returning to Sa Trenka, we ord

MESÓN TXISTU A Little off the beaten track, this is a very traditional Basque restaurant. With an old-school setting. Once settled in, we had Jamón Iberico de Bellota Almejas marinera (fisherman’s clams) Gambas con huevos revueltos (prawns with scrambled eggs) Calamare fritas (fried squid) You can also try, Tortilla de bacalao (cod omelette) Rape a la plancha (grilled monkfish) Solomillo (sirloin steak) Chuleta de ternera a la parrilla (grilled veal chop) Pierna de cordero (l