viva las tapas

El Caleño

azahar — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:49:42 +0000

Another fabulous seafood restaurant in the old fishing quarter of Málaga, Pedregalejos. Right on the beach you get wonderful food with a view. Best to call ahead and book a table.

Paseo Maritimo (El Pedregal)
Malaga
tel. 952 299 148
€ € €

conchas finas

bolos

a “small” house salad

salmonetes

puntillitas (baby squid)

roasted red pepper salad

coquinas (cockles)

gambas a la plancha

sardines “espeto”

boquerones (anchovies)

La Moraga de Antonio Martín

azahar — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:27:25 +0000

A few years ago on a trip to Málaga I fell in love with the first ever bulltail burger that I tried at the La Moraga location on calle Fresca, in the old centre of town. So I was thrilled to discover last summer (2011) that another La Moraga (brainchild of Michelin-star chef Dani Garcia) had opened just a stone’s throw from where I always stay when I’m in Málaga, on the Malagueta beach. I was also pleased to see that my favourite white wine Botani is on prominent display and offered by the glass for a very reasonable 2.50€.

On the whole my visits to La Moraga de Antonio Martín have been quite pleasant. The food is very good and the location is stunning, all über-chic with fabulous sea views. But frankly at those prices I think the service should be more consistently professional and friendly. It continues to be hit and miss, which can no longer be put down to “early days” training issues. Or is it considered too “un-hip” to smile?

That being said, I do recommend La Moraga and I will definitely go back next time I’m in town.

Plaza Malagueta, 4
Tel. 952 224 153
Open: 13.30 – 16.00 /20.00 – 23.30
La Moraga Website
€ € € € €
Updated January 2012

bar area

ajoblanco

buñuelas de bacalao (salt cod fritters)

bulltail burger

“porra antequerana” w/hard boiled egg & black olive paste on pan de cristal

ginger prawns

grilled presa (pork) with seta mushrooms

Huelva langostines wrapped in basil with peanut sauce

pork & bacon burger

hot dog with pear alioli and tomato marmalade (overkill)

fried chocos (cuttlefish) with yoghurt and garbanzos

croquetas de puchero

a boat of puntillitas (friend baby squid)

“biznaga” dessert

dining area

dining area with beach view

La Cosmopolita

azahar — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:48:44 +0000

A friend in Sevilla recommended La Cosmopolita – and I’m very glad he did. Opened in October 2010 and run by owner Borja Galan and jefe de cocina Daniel Carnero, it’s a terrific spot just off the calle Granada in the centre of Málaga. Open for breakfast at 8.30, with tapas served between 1.00 – 16.00 and 20.00 – midnight. The decor is very fresh, with a twist on traditional. As are the tapas. You must try the cecina croquettes – quite possibly the best croquetas I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something. Also excellent are the bulltail meatballs in gravy and the ravioli filled with smoked aubergine. The “pan de cristal” is wonderful, long chapata-style bread scooped out and refilled with delicious meat or fish combinations and then toasted. And the grilled chistorra (spicy chorizo) on potato purée is simply fabulous. Great service and nice casual ambience.

José Denis Belgrano 3
Málaga
tel. 952 215 827
Open: 8.30 – midnight
(kitchen closed 17.00 – 20.00)
La Cosmopolita Website
€ € €
Updated January 2012

Borja Galan (owner) and Daniel Carnero (jefe de cocina)

la carta

bulltail meatball in gravy

cecina croquettes

buñuelos de bacalao (little cod fritters)

dining area

fabada Asturiana

“media-noche gourmand”

grilled chistorra with potato purée

ravioli filled with smoked aubergine, topped with red mojo picon

grilled beef with pesto on “pan de cristal”

the terraza

Diecinueve

azahar — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:44:40 +0000

Brand new and looking good. I happened upon Diecinueve by chance while I was trying to find refuge from the feria goers in August … at first I thought it looked a bit pricey and “cold”, but once seated at the bar I got chatting to the staff and it turned out to be a great time. Great food too.

Sta Maria 21
Tel. 952 223 454
€€€
Open from 12.30pm

creamy octopus salad

grilled prawn and cherry tom brochette

chistorras (spicy chorizo) and chips

the wonderful staff – Carolina, Matteo, Adriana & Iñaki

El Refectorium

azahar — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:24:24 +0000

This is a fabulous neighbourhood bar just behind the bullring. Always busy, always serving wonderful food. The menu is small but it’s all high quality stuff, and the service is top-notch, fast and friendly.

Cervantes, 8
Tel. 952 21 89 90
12.30 – 16.30 / 20.30 – 23.30
€ € €

jamones

Julio & carrilladas (pig’s cheeks)

croquettes

prawn & jamón brochette

caña de lomo

arroz del día (rice of the day)

stewed bulltail

sliced jamón

biznaga

biznaga seller with client

Belén, Horacio, Curry, Julio, Belén, Alberto & Sergio

los vinos

La Reserva del Pastor

azahar — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:43:47 +0000

Andrés Maricuchi

azahar — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:56:46 +0000

Superb seafood, great wines, a fabulous sea view and friendly efficient service. Could you ask for anything more? Be sure to call ahead and book a table.

Paseo Maritimo (El Pedregal) 14
Tel. 952 290 412

conchas finas

“espetos” (grilled sardines)

whelks

fried squid (jibia) and octopus

tomato & garlic salad

garlicky grilled urta

grilled tuna

fried calamari

langostines & cigales

fried boquerones (anchovies)

Andrés & David serving salt-baked fish

fruit plate served with Selección Especial & Victoria #2
Bodegas Jorge Ordoñez

Ricardo

Andrés and biznaga

the barbeque

La Reserva 12

azahar — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:50:38 +0000

C/ Bolsa 12
29015 Málaga
Tel 952 60 82 18
Open: 12.30 – midnight 7 days a week
kitchen closed 17.00 – 20.00
website: La Reserva 12

bar area

vinos Ordoñez

fritos: swordfish and rosada

seafood croquettes

grilled solomillo (pork tenderloin) al jerez

toasted rosquitas

Juan defies gravity!

pescado

Juan, Paco, Dani & Juan (maìtre d)

Quitapenas

azahar — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:08:31 +0000

There are four Quitapenas locations in the Málaga area. This one is located in Málaga city, just off the Calle Larios. Excellent seafood and very efficient service. Wines from the Quitapenas bodega are on offer, as well as from the rioja and rueda regions.

Calle de Marín García 4
Málaga
Tel. 952 602 357
Quitapenas Website
€€

conchas finas and steamed mussels

breaded rosada and battered prawns

fried bacalao (salt cod)

jibia (squid)

tender calamares

Dos Gatos

azahar — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:19:41 +0000

Since my first visit to Dos Gatos in 2010 I have been back again and again. I was first attracted by the lively atmosphere (and, I admit, the name and the sign outside) and was soon won over by the fabulous food and friendly service. Great seafood and grilled meats in the old city centre.

Calle Granada 32
Málaga
Tel. 952 608 845
Open 7 days a week, 12.30 – 00.30
Updated January 2012
€€€

grilled goat cheese salad with honey vinagrette

mixed grill
(chorizo picante, criollo, chistorra, lamb chops, pork, black pudding, pork ribs)

crispy fried rosada with roasted peppers

tender fried octopus

grilled pork

grilled rosada

fritura Malagueña