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)

CASA MONTAÑA Michelin Plate IIO A delightful old tapas bar and bodega in the El Canyamelar fishing neighbourhood of València, down by the port area, which has been serving locals since 1836. They have left the interior and structure of that period intact, keeping original barrels behind the bar. Aside from the bar area, there is a restaurant behind it, accessible by ducking under the bar counter. This must be booked in advance, and the menu is slightly more elaborate. F

A three-day trip across the border into France took us to the southeastern region, with stays in Lyon and Vienne (35 kilometres south of Lyon, on the Rhône). Our third and final restaurant on the trip was a short walk from our hotel, next to the central train station in Lyon, along the sparkling banks of the river Rhône to, BOUCHON COMPTOIR ABEL BAR BOUCHON COMPTOIR ABEL BAR Neither a café nor a comptoir but a 400-year-old bouchon with an excess atmosphere. The restaurant h

MESÓN EL MOLINO The drive to this restaurant will take you through Almeria’s desert interior, the only official desert in Europe. Upon entering the pretty village of Vélez Blanco, you can first visit the stunning Renaissance castle, which towers over the town. Built in the early 16th century, it is worth visiting both for the castle and the fantastic views overlooking the village and beyond. The castle closes at 2 pm, which is perfect, since lunch begins here at that time.

RESTAURANTE S. GIÁO Another trip across the Portuguese border. This time to Moreira de Cónegos, between Braga and Porto, and in the countryside near Guimaraes. Not the easiest place to find, even with a sat nav. When you do, you will see no name on the outside of a building which could be mistaken for a workshop. After walking around the building, we find the unnamed entrance door and walk into the delightful surprise of a stunning traditional Portuguese setting. The large w

CHIRINGUITO EL LIRIO (PERMANELY CLOSED, NOW A BURGER BAR!) There are many great things about Málaga. The big blue skies, 300 days of sunshine a year, the beaches and the food. Málaga has some of Andalucía’s best Chiringuitos. These are beachfront bars and restaurants that specialise in tapas, salads and above all else, lots of fish. You will find skewers of freshly caught and salted Mediterranean sardines, dorada (gilthead bream), lubina (sea bass), salmonete (red mullet) a

EL RINCON DE JUAN PERMENENTLY CLOSED 2024 By Howard Goldsmith El Rincon De Juan is on Calle Episodios Nacional, one of the side streets off Calle Ronda and Avenida Alfonso XIII. Plenty of parking is available nearby. I recently met Alexis and his father, Juan, at the gym (Paidesport). Alexis speaks fluent English, and we had a Spanglish conversation about Spanish food when he told me that his parents own El Rincon De Juan in Elda and that I should take my wife, Gail, one da