ANDALUCÍA - CÁDIZ - CONIL DE LA FRONTERA

FRANCISCO LA FONTANILLA

We returned to this old favourite in August and arrived just as the late summer sun was setting.

You will find the fabulous seafood displayed in the cabinet before you. So you can have a good look and be ready to choose.

The Restaurant was filling up at 8.30 pm, as is the way in Andalucía.

We settled down, and after making our choices, we started the meal with,

Fabulous anchoas de Cantábrico.

The restaurants own Cantabrian anchovies.

Ensalada mixta (mixed salad).

Langostinos pequeña (small prawns).

The star of the show. Cigalas.

Also known as Dublin Bay prawns, Norway lobster, scampi, or langoustines in various countries.

Extremely extraordinarily tasty.

Tools at the ready!

We finished off the meal with some ice cream.

As always, an excellent meal.

Pair the fish with a decent albariño or verdejo.

An earlier review.

Francisco La Fontanilla is a lively beachside Restaurant That usually buzzes with relaxed Spanish holidaymakers and large family groups of locals.

It is set on the stunning Playa de Fontanilla in Conil de la Frontera, and the freshness and quality of the seafood and fish are outstanding.

The choice is wide; try,

Tortillitas de Camarones (shrimp fritters)

Ostras (oysters)

Cangrejo (crab)

Carpaccio de atún (tuna carpaccio)

Sashimi de atún (tuna sashimi)

Lenguado (sole)

Merluza (hake)

Lubina (sea bass)

or the local urta, etc

There is a strong emphasis on using local produce. Sancha Perez, a local organic producer, makes olive oil for bread and some bottles of wine

Delicious desserts include

pastel de higo (fig pie)

Cremoso pinones (creamy pine nuts)

Arroz (rice pudding)

Flan de la casa (house flan)

The Restaurant has a lovely, friendly atmosphere, although it can be a little rushed at busy times.

You can eat in a covered outdoor area where smoking is allowed or get a table inside. Plenty of children and animals are welcome so that it can be noisy. The Restaurant serves mainly fish and seafood; although a few meat dishes are available, it is best to go for the fish. Even though it is a large Restaurant, you should book in the summer.

After a late lunch, you can watch the sun go down.