ANDALUCÍA - ALMERÍA - VERA

TERRAZA CARMONA Michelin Plate IIO

This grand restaurant is a family-run business and the oldest in Vera. Vera is the main town in this area, located approximately 10 km inland from the coast. I believe it was once home to the only cinema outside Almeria.

If you come to the open market in Vera on a Saturday, you will find this oasis in the thick of it. You can stroll around the market from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and then sneak in before the rush.

On arrival, you will enter the traditionally styled and always lively bar area, where you can enjoy some delicious tapas, which are still free with your drinks and are delicious.

The bar is filled with traditional Spanish artefacts and bullfighting memorabilia.

It also has a wicker basket bullring!

The main classical dining room is full of charm and tradition. It is the place for an extended lunch or dinner. You can select your seafood from the counter in the bar.

You will find many good examples of well-known dishes, like boquerones and pulpo a la gallega, plus a selection of decent beers and wines, including many older vintages of some classic Spanish wines.

There is a large selection of Jamón. They also have excellent alioli and gluten-free bread if required.

On this occasion, after a few drinks in the bar, we had a long dinner, which included,

Pan con tomate.

5J cinco jotas jamón ibérico de bellota,

accompanied by melon balls

Ensalada de atún con espárragos blancos, tomate, pepino, cebolla blanca, pimiento verde y aceitunas (tuna salad with white asparagus, tomatoes, cucumber, white onions, green pepper and olives).

Solomillo de Jabali salteado con ajetes tiernos y piñones (wild boar fillet, tender garlic and pine nuts).

Jamoncitos de conejo de monte al ajo cabañil (wild rabbit thighs with honey and garlic).

All enjoyed, with a bottle of Viña Tondonia Reserva 2005 from D.O.Rioja.

For dessert, we had,

Caramel cake with nuts.

Warm caramelised apple tart with figs.

House cake with chocolate.

This is a place to enjoy an authentic local Spanish cultural and culinary experience. As you will see, it is still mainly locals. The restaurant is also child-friendly. It is in a pleasant three-star hotel, so you could stay the night to avoid driving home.