ALMERIA - VÉLEZ BLANCO - MESÓN EL MOLINO

MESÓN EL MOLINO

The drive to this restaurant will take you through Almeria’s desert interior, which is the only official desert in Europe.

Upon entering the pretty village of Vélez Blanco you could first head to the stunning Renaissance castle, which towers over the village. Built in the early 16th century, it is worth the visit, both for the castle itself and for the fantastic views overlooking the village and beyond.

The castle closes at 2pm, which is perfect, as this is when lunch begins here.

Head for this very good traditional restaurant in the village.

This is down below the castle, off the main road into the village. It is famous for its trout, which is freshly caught each morning and kept in the stone tanks which you walk past as you enter the restaurant garden.

You can then take your seat and the try some of the traditional local cuisine such as:

Jamon Ibérico de bellota (fabulous ham from acorn fed Ibérico pigs)

Las setas (mushrooms)

Las croquetas de ibérico (Ibérico ham croquetts)

Espaldilla de cordero (shoulder of lamb)

Estofado de cabra (goat stew)

Jabali (wild boar)

Cochinillo (suckling pig)

Have a wonderful old wine like Rioja Contino Reserva 2002 with these great meat dishes.

Finish with a postre of sugary doughnuts served with a glass or two of DON PX Pedro Ximenez, a sherry-like pudding wine from Montilla-Morales, a wine region just north of Andalucia.

The restaurant, decorated with wild boar & stag heads, is surprisingly vast inside but even so it gets very busy for Sunday lunch, when the whole village turns up! Ask nicely, you may get a tour of the cavernous wine cellar.