RESTAURANTE ESCÁNEZ We returned to an old favourite, Restaurante Escánez. Located on the Almeria coast, in the municipality of Garrucha since 1982, it was remodelled in 2004. A few years earlier, we were invited to Almería 2019, a food celebration held after Almería was named Capital Española de la Gastronomía 2019. We toured the fish auction, then had a lavish feast at Castillo San Ramón/Las Escobetas on the outskirts of Garrucha. Local chefs, including Paco Escánez of Rest

CASA SEVILLA This restaurant is in the middle of Almería, heading toward the port area. It is set in an alleyway off the main street and was full of locals on the evening we attended, which is always a good sign. There are tables outside in the alleyway, a restaurant in a room at the back, and tall tables with stalls in the bar area. They serve a very varied menu, including Almería’s typical traditional dishes and house specialities. With every drink, we had a copa de cava (

An evening tapas tour in the stunning, sunny city of Sevilla with Shawn Hennessey of Sevilla Tapas. After meeting Shawn in the Plaza Nueva by the Hotel Inglaterra, we headed to our first stop at Bodeguita Romero. BODEGUITA ROMERO Calle Harinas, 10, 41001 Sevilla +34 954 229 556 www.bodeguitaromero.es This is the place to go if you want the best pringá montaditos (a small toasted bun filled with pork, chorizo, and blood sausage) in town. Their famous papas aliñadas (marinated

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 de gazpacho. Tapa gambas blanco (w

Hotel Alfonso XIII Hotel Alfonso XIII After leaving our fabulous hotel, the Alfonso XIII, we crossed the Canal de Alfonso XIII via the Puente de San Telmo to the Triana district, where we visited several traditional tapas bars. The first bar we came across was, BAR SALOMÓN REY DE LOS PINCHITOS López de Gomara 11, 41010 Sevilla +34 954 33 35 21 If you are one of the few people who have never tried a pincho Moreno (spiced pork skewers) or papas bravas And if you happen to be in

EMBER YARD During a visit in September 2021, the food was not as good as in previous visits, and in a couple of cases, it was even poor, which was disappointing. In 2025, Chef Ricardo Sapimental updated the menu, and we believe it is now back to its best, although we haven’t been there again yet. This review is from 2019 Located in the ever-busy Soho, Ember Yard serves up excellent Spanish / Italian tapas cooked over Basque charcoal grill (embers, get it?) from the people beh

A few days in Málaga after COVID-19 lockdown easing. After ten plus weeks in lockdown, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the prospect of a...

LA COSMOPOLITA MALAGUEÑA Michelin Plate IIO Permanently Closed The restaurant closed in October 2025 after 15 years of operation. Chef Dani Carnero announced the closure himself, explaining that the project had “completed its cycle” and its era had come to an end. 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 restaura

BARRAFINA One Michelin Star Barrafina moved to a new address in Soho, from Frith Street to 26-27 Dean Street. We thought we would try the new venue on this midweek evening in March. As usual, it was busy, so we had to wait 45 minutes to be seated. Once at the bar, we tried these dishes. Pimientos de Padrón y jamón croquetas. Paletila Ibérica Lenguado en salsa de almendra (sole in almond sauce) Solomillo Rubia Gallega (sirloin steak from Galicia) The food is still delicio

TAPEO & WINE PERMANENTLY CLOSED 2021 This was our first visit to Tapeo & Wine in Deansgate, Manchester, as a precursor to the football at Old Trafford. The restaurant was opened in 2016 in the buzzing heart of Manchester by the Mata family (The owner’s Son, Juan Mata, is currently a Manchester United football player). There is a bright, modern bar and restaurant on the ground floor, looking out onto busy Deansgate. It also has another large restaurant bar downstairs, which