MADRID TAPAS BARS IN THE CALLE DE JESUS AREA The Plaza de Jesús and its extension, the Calle de Jesús, is a street with many bars, mainly filled with locals, near the Prada Museum and other historic sites, and a good spot for lunch after visiting the museums, etc. On a Thursday lunchtime in February, we had a stroll to a tapas bar for drinks. CERVANTES Plaza de Jesús 7, 28012 Madrid +34 914 29 60 93 We did not eat here this time, but it is a very good cerveceria offering typi

CAMBIO DE TERCIO Under Abel Lusa's excellent hospitality and guidance, this restaurant has been a long-standing favourite in South Kensington for many years. It has become a standard-bearer for Iberian food in London. Most Hispanophiles consider it the best in town. On this occasion, we sat down, wrapped up on a reasonably chilly lunchtime, starting with a glass of Amontillado or Cava. Followed by, Pan cristal y Cinco Jotas Jamón Ibérico de Bellota 100% (Jabugo) Five Jotas Ib

RESTAURANTE SA SOCA On the way to Sant Agustí from Sant Antoni, you will find this traditional, rustic, charming restaurant. Although it does not look exceptional from the outside, it would be easy to drive past. The entrance has a small bar area, with simple wooden chairs and tables, and small dining rooms with a fireplace. Once inside, you will find its large, vine-covered inner terrace, overgrown with plants, and a quiet countryside landscape twinkling in the background. T

BODEGUITA 1999 This was our second visit to this restaurant, just off the seafront in Alicante City. They specialise in anchovies and different cuts of steak. Chuletón, entrecot, solomillo, and many more, so make your choice. Antxoas del Cantabrico (anchovies from Cantabria). Txuleton en la mesa with fries and piquillo peppers. Pimientos del piquillo confitados. Txuleton a la plancha on the second visit. With a tremendous fresh salad. Also available are staples like Croquetas

JOSÉ TAPAS & SHERRY BAR Situated on a corner of the now-trendy Bermondsey Street, this cosy little tapas bar serves excellent, authentic tapas. Opened by José Pizarro with his eponymous restaurant, Pizarro, further up Bermondsey Street on the same side of the road.   José is a buzzing spot for an atmospheric lunch or dinner. This is not a sit-down restaurant but a Spanish bar where you go to have a drink and some tapas, standing or sitting on stools around a barrel for a tabl

O SOLAR DOS LEITOES This is a hidden restaurant on the outskirts of Monsanto. It serves delicious traditional Portuguese cuisine and some of the best grilled fish in Lisbon. It has been a family business for three generations and is in a remote, run-down residential area in Buraca. It is not easy to find, and it is definitely off the tourist track. Even taxis with satnav still seem to have a problem finding it! Do not let this put you off. You will be dropped off at the bott

ASADOR CAN PILOT We returned to Restaurante Asador Can Pilot, an old favourite in the small inland village of Sant Rafel de sa Creu (San Rafael). Since 1989, it has been an excellent place for traditional Spanish food, especially BBQ meat. The traditional, rustic Restaurant is always busy, and sometimes you may have to wait in the vibrant bar. There is a large BBQ grill in one corner of the room. The room is furnished with traditional Ibicencan wooden tables and chairs. We ha

ROOSTIQ During a major snowstorm, we had an excellent dining experience here in Madrid's Chueca district. It is a modern-style asador where they serve good, honest food in a wonderful setting with an open fire. All the tasty, healthy, and organic produce is from their garden farm in Ávila, in the rolling hills and countryside northwest of Madrid. To start, we had the highly recommended, Torrenznos Roostiq (Roostiq's fried belly pork) There are many, many torreznos, but every

ASADOR LA PERDIDA Michelin Plate IIO This incredible spot is just outside Sevilla, in a stunning old hacienda. The hacienda has been completely renovated with beautiful indoor spaces and outside terraces to enjoy this unique gastronomic experience and setting. It is a place for carnivores, and the fantastic meat comes from the livestock raised naturally and ecologically in the Riberas del Guadaíra, a unique and protected natural environment less than 20 km from Sevilla. T

PRIMITIVO RESTAURANTE To get to this restaurant, head east, along the coastal road from Málaga for about 6 km, and you will arrive in Pedregalejo. It's a pleasant 30/40-minute walk or a short taxi ride from Málaga centre. The still, very traditional village of Pedregalejo has retained its local character and charm, avoiding the ruin caused by tourism. This old fishing village is now known for its excellent restaurants, which line the promenade next to the beach. In the warm