@Almeria2019 and various gastronomic events will take place in Almería throughout the year. We had the pleasure of being invited to these by Fernando Huidobro ( fernandohuidobrorein.com Twitter @FHuidobroRein ), Presidente de Academia Andaluza de Gastronomía y Turismo (Twitter @andgastrotur ) Day three, our final day, has been allocated for the awards and cocktail party at La Alcazaba de Almeria. In 955, Almería gained the title of medina (city) by the Caliph of Cordoba,

Almería was named Capital Española de la Gastronomía 2019 (Twitter @Almería2019 ), and various gastronomic events will take place in the province of Almería throughout the year. We had the pleasure of being invited to these events by Fernando Huidobro www.fernandohuidobro.com , Twitter @FHuidobroRein , Presidente de Academia Andaluza de Gastronomía y Turismo (Twitter @andgastrotur ) We flew to Alicante after our short three-day trip to Ibiza, then drove down to Garrucha t

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 (located 35 kilometres south of Lyon, on the river 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. Th

A three-day trip across the border into France took us to the southeastern region with stays in Lyon and Vienne (located 35 kilometres south of Lyon, on the river Rhône). Our second restaurant on the trip was to RESTAURANT MOUTON-BENOIT Michelin Plate IIO The restaurant is 9km from Vienne. To leave town, cross Pont routier de Lattre de Tassigny and head towards the village of Givors. A few kilometres before Givors, you will see the restaurant on the right-hand side. This

A three-day trip across the border into France took us to southeastern France, where we stayed in Lyon and Vienne (located 35 kilometres south of Lyon, on the river Rhône). Our first Restaurant on the trip was LES SAVEURS DU MARCHÉ Michelin Plate IIO An attractive, well-run restaurant where the immaculate tables and chairs back onto stone walls. This contemporary decor is the ideal backdrop for chef Sebastien Désestet's market-fresh products, which are full of flavour,

PERMANENTLY CLOSED IN 2023? KIOSKO LA FRANJA Jonathon Lipsin writes: This is my favourite swimming spot on the Island, situated on Platja de Migjorn, where I used to live behind the Piratabus. I enjoyed visiting La Franja, this little chiringuito, after my swim. A chiringuito is basically a wooden shack on the beach that sells basic sandwiches, tapas, cold beer, and wine. The people are friendly, and the service is quick. Unlike the more popular chiringuitos, like Bartolo's a

FINCA LISTONERO Reborn after the terrible raging wildfire that swept across the Sierra Cabrera and into the valley at Cortijo Grande and destroyed the previous fabulous incarnation in 2009. Finca Listonero is back and just as fabulous, now run by Ian and Sandra. They are very welcoming hosts and serve up excellent food. It is a boutique guest house and restaurant, hidden away amongst the mountains surrounding the beautiful valley of Cortijo Grande, near Mojácar in stunning r

RESTAURANTE TRIBECA Michelin Plate IIO This excellent restaurant is located in the residential barrio of La Buheria, an eight-minute drive from the historic centre of Seville (or a twenty-minute walk). It is modern and well-fitted, and the tables are not too close together. At least three waiters looked after us. The charming chef Pedro Giménez came out to explain the menu to us. He then took us downstairs into the preparation area to choose our fish and shellfish. We

LA CARBONÁ This spacious and elegant dining room is in what was once an Antiguo Casco de bodega (sherry winery/cellar). It was transformed into a fabulous Restaurant showcasing the local food of Jerez de la Frontera and the rest of Spain, as well as local sherry wines. In this old bodega, light enters the room through the Spartan windows, bringing in the Jerezana breeze, especially on warm days, maintaining the optimum temperature for their wines. The room is on the origi