We had been invited to attend "The Festival of Andalusian Gastronomy 2020", which, unfortunately, was cancelled in March 2020 due to the start of the COVID-19 restrictions. We now fast-forward two years to March 2022. After meeting the group at the Hotel Abades Nevada Palace de Granada, we board the coach for our first visit to the Costa Tropical (where there are dozens of beaches and small coves with crystal-clear water and 320 days of sunshine per year). It has an average

RESTAURANT GRESCA Michelin Plate IIO This restaurant is a hidden gem, but from its discreet, tiny entrance, you would hardly guess it could be a fantastic culinary journey. We arrived early Monday night for a 9 pm booking, but the place looked closed, so we went for a drink around the corner. On our return, there was still only one other diner. Within half an hour, the place was full, including ex-Barcelona footballer and TV pundit Gary Lineker. He had local knowledge.

RESTAURANTE ES VENTALL Michelin Plate IIO A visit to Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio) during the Covid - hit summer of 2021 saw us return to one of our favourite restaurants. Since 2005, when the younger José Miguel Bonet took over, the traditional dishes have been given a slightly more inventive twist, while still including many of the Island's favourites. There are various rice dishes, like paella, fideuá, arroz a banda, bullit de peix, and fish and seafood. The

FERA RESTAURANT & BAR Michelin Plate IIO An excellent dining experience, only a minute away from the lively shopping area of Jaime III in Palma de Mallorca centre. The restaurant is in a tiny side street, set in a beautiful old casa with a garden featuring many local plants, where they also grow their own herbs. The restaurant garden. The excellent tasting menus by Chef Simon Petutschnig are either meat or vegetarian at €65 each and are great value. Wine pairing at €45 is a

LOBITO DE MAR Michelin Plate IIO This beachless chiringuito on the N-340, on the outskirts of Marbella, is less expensive than Dani García's other ventures; nevertheless, it still offers superb quality. It's a very hip, modern and inviting restaurant with a vibrant atmosphere. On arrival, the fish in the display cabinet looked very fresh. I liked that they have made space for a tapas chillout section. We had a few tapas to start. Tapa gazpacho. Tapa gambas blanco (whit

KAVA Michelin Plate IIO In early March, we revisited one of our favourite places in Marbella, restaurant KAVA. Chef Fernando Alcalá, a former lawyer, produces a menu of ten dishes that change depending on seasonal produce and its availability at the market. There are two menús Menú Corto (six dishes) €55 Menú Largo (ten dishes) €85 Wine pairing is available. Each dish is comprised of three basic ingredients, with no fear of combining citrus, acids, and heat. Some of

MAISON LÚ Michelin Plate IIO NOW CLOSED Chef Juanlu Fernandez has now moved to Jerez de la Frontera and his Two Michelin Star . LÚ COCINA Y ALMA Click here to read a review A visit to this restaurant in Marbella in November 2020 To start, we had, Michel Arnould Brut Reserve Grand Cru, Pinot Noir, Champagne. followed by, Tartar de atún de almadraba con trufa de invierno Almadraba tuna tartar with winter truffle. Huevo de campo a baja temperatura con trufa de invie

BACK! TAPAS BAR & RESTAURANT Michelin Plate IIO David Olivas and Fabián Villar, chef and sommelier, respectively, are the creators of Back! A colourful and modern restaurant, with a focus on traditional and updated Andalucían cuisine. Although it states it's a tapas bar and restaurant, it is probably more of a restaurant. The menu caters for tapas, sharing plates, set menus and new inventive culinary creations. On this occasion, we had the Menu, Grand Back 2020 (9 steps f

RESTAURANTE ES VENTALL Michelin Plate IIO A return to Sant Antoni during the Covid-hit summer of 2020 saw us return to one of our favourite restaurants in town. On this balmy July evening, everyone was sitting in the garden area as we tucked into the following, Croquetas de gambas (prawn croquettes) Atún tartar (tuna tartar) Hummus Berenjena tempura (aubergine tempura) Costilla cerdo (de-boned pork ribs) Paletilla de Cordero (10 hours, slow-cooked, shoulder of lamb)

LA COSMOPOLITA MALAGUEÑA Michelin Plate IIO This place is a great little spot just off the calle Granada in the centre of Málaga's old town. The decor is immaculate, with a traditional twist. You can have tapas at the bar or sit in the main restaurant. There is also an outside terrace for warm evenings. We returned one evening in January for a few late-night tapas at the bar, where we enjoyed Ensalada Rusa (Russian Salad) Bacalao (deep-fried cod) Albóndigas de cola d