TABERNA LA NIÑA DEL PISTO This is one of our favourite bars/restaurants in the old town of Marbella. You will find it hidden, down a small, narrow pasaje (passageway), but you won’t if you don’t pay attention to where you are going. This authentic Andalusian tapas bar is always busy with locals and tourists alike and is reputedly the oldest tapas bar in the Marbella area. The bar area inside is very traditional, beautifully decorated, with many photos of bullfighting scenes

LA SCROLLER We returned to this atmospheric beach restaurant mid-March on a sunny Monday lunchtime. We sat outside on the lovely terrace overlooking Playa Es Cavallet, as the weather was good.  In winter, seaweed is left on the beach to protect the sand; it is usually removed for the summer. If the weather is inclement, you can sit in the large dining room, which has a lovely open fire, for chillier low-season or winter dining. We started with a few aperitifs. Alioli con pan

VENTA EL TORO This is a small, discreet, countryside Venta without any pretensions. There are a few tables with a bar inside, and two terraces where most of the action takes place. Inside tables are used in more inclement weather. The terrace across the road runs over the stream that runs through Santa Lucía. Some of these tables were already reserved, so I suggest arriving early or making a reservation. The traditional inside area is wall-to-wall with their bullfighting phot

CAPOTE Y TOROS HAM & SHERRY BAR We returned to the little offspring of Cambio de Tercio, where you will find this lively little tapas bar specialising in sherry and Jamón and serving other delicious tapas. From the small menu, you can try: The wonderful 5J Cinco Jotas Jabugo Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. The patatas bravas here are served in all three of their restaurants and tapas bars. Tiny new potatoes are topped with a smooth tomato bravas sauce and a luscious dollop of spi

IBAI LONDON As we had previously been to the famous Ibai (click here to view) restaurant in San Sebastián (the original, run by Alicio Garro and his wife , not the current one Michelin-starred run by  Paulo Airaudo ). We thought it was time to try the much-talked-about ibai in London. This is a place to worship steak in Basque-style indulgence in London. It is an authentic taste of the Basque Country, right in the heart of London, set in an old industrial warehouse, where t

Planning a trip to Spain? One of the first things you'll want to nail down is where to stay. Spain offers a dazzling array of accommodation options, from charming rural cottages to sleek city apartments and beachfront villas. But how do you find the perfect spot that fits your style, budget, and itinerary? Let me walk you through the essentials of finding the ideal accommodation in Spain, sharing tips, tricks, and a few laughs along the way. Spain's accommodation scene is as

RESTAURANTE ES VENTA LL Michelin Plate IIO We returned to one of our favourite places in Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio): Es Ventall. The restaurant has been open for over 35 years. Since 2005, when the younger José Miguel Bonet took over, the traditional dishes have been given a much more inventive twist. However, they still include many of the Island's favourites. These include rice dishes, such as paella, fideuá, arroz a banda, bullit de peix, and fish and seafood

CASA TONI Casa Toni is a small, basic bar/restaurant that at first glance doesn’t look like much. However, give it a try. The food is excellent for the price, and there are always plenty of locals, which is usually a good sign. You can find extra seating upstairs. Please note that the dishes they typically serve are generous portions, so keep this in mind. This is the place to try offal (i.e., animal innards), such as the mollejas (sweetbreads, often mistakenly believed to be

RESTAURANTE LA PRIMERA We were looking for a restaurant in Madrid for 12 friends to have lunch, and we decided La Primera was the place. The restaurant is located in an ideal spot to enjoy Madrid, on the first floor (hence the name) of an iconic building on the famous Gran Vía. The interior design is elegantly minimalist, with a Scandinavian aesthetic and a dark yet cosy colour palette. It is spacious and comfortable. They offer a fine-dining interpretation of traditional Spa

ANTONIO BAR If you sometimes need a change of pintxo bars from the Parte Vieja (old town) or the Gros area across the bridge, head to the central location and Antonio Bar. It’s an unassuming, tiny place that’s always busy, with primarily local customers. You will find a few seats inside by the bar and more outside, where the jovial waiter will serve you. Finding a space may take a minute, but the turnover is pretty quick. It is a great spot to enjoy, Txistorra (spicy sausage