Modern and 'vintage'
Let's admit it now and once and for all: the center of Malaga it's impossible We love many of their places to eat, and there is nothing more beautiful than stroll through Alcazabilla a sunny morning, but calm, what is said calm, It is not.
The hubbub of people on the street -now, every day seems like a party-; the transfer of cafeterias and the restaurants -which often have the kitchen open to the living room, thus generating an infernal noise-; the mania to put loud music forcing the diners to speak even louder - as if the people of Malaga we needed that they incited us for something like that-; the parking , which is literally impossible -although it would be desirable to access the center always in public transport -...
All this contributes to the fact that, sometimes, we feel like exploring quieter places to enjoy a good meal.
In this small list we have gathered five of our favourites, distributed throughout the length and breadth of the province of Malaga. Everyone has something makes them special and, in addition, they share an essential feature: the peace that is breathed in their tables.
CIBO Italian, one of our favorites
** THE LOLA (Tolox) **
An old television studio in the part highest of the town, reformed among neighbors, is the germ of the lola . Today, this restaurant, which boasts excellent treatment and has one of the most spectacular views of Malaga, watches from above the white village of Tolox, heart of the beautiful Sierra de las Nieves .
On the terrace, they laugh, eat and drink; in the room, they breathe modern airs, but also maintains the rural charm of a good fireplace and the local product: knuckle of pork with rosemary, shoulder of goat, Grilled vegetables grilled with oak wood -yes, all with an avant-garde twist-. The oil is obtained from the alorean olives of their own olive trees. And from their vineyards they already plan to elaborate a wine.
There, at the top of Tolox, is La Lola
** SARMIENTO 'BRASA ANDALUZA' (Casares) **
Another great restaurant with a view: Sarmiento faces the hill on which Casares stands as a still postcard of the perfect white town . That is the unreal view which we will enjoy from the table of this restaurant decorated with arcades of Andalusian patio and warm taste contemporary.
In his letter, prepared with care, delicacy and expressiveness by the chef Victor Carracedo -kitchen director in prestigious hotel chains such as Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, or Meliá -, a lot of respect for the raw material and the local product: the tomatoes, from Coin; the tuna , from Barbate; vegetables, of Axarquia .
Embers with character
Even when choosing the main preparation, something from Malaga is used: the **grilled espeto**. The attention is exquisite, although what will make you fall in love will be their reinterpretation of traditional dishes Andalusian gastronomy, such as chicharrones de Iberian bacon with lime or pringá croquettes with mint infusion.
**PACO'S HOUSE (Coin) **
Who would have thought that under such a common name hides one of the most suggestive from Malaga. Located at the entrance of Coín, Paco House It has a pleasant atmosphere that is divided into a lounge, a tapas area and a terrace most welcoming -in addition to the large rooms for celebrations-.
It is a whole institution both in the town and in the province , and not only because of its long history -it has been open since 1975-; also because in 2015 it obtained recognition for best restaurant in Malaga by the Malaga Gastronomic Academy.
The usual, but better
Reasons have names like artichokes with citrus tempura and orange toffee , beef entrecote tataki with cane honey sauce, truffle and leek roots or the black bread with squid and green ali-oli.
And, of course, the product of the area scores very high on his list: the citrus, the Aloreña olive, the cateto bread, the delicious fresh tomatoes -which you can try in all its varieties when it is season- the goat cheese and even local beers have a special place on the menu, with treats to suit all tastes.
**JACKY RESTAURANT (Nerja) **
A tasting menu changes every week made up of nothing less than eight plates -and all the wine you can drink-, is the best calling card of ** Jacky .** That's if you go on Thursdays; if you go any other day, you can choose between the usual menus: Prestige or Gourmet.
Yes, it's all as attractive as it sounds - probably more so - thanks to the imagination and the know-how of the award-winning chef Jacky Vanhoren , which has spent a lifetime reinventing its French-influenced cuisine with dishes such as cold tomato _iris_h, the foie gras bonbon wrapped in pistachio on a background of gingerbread and brioche, the Prawn puff pastry with leek sauce , the cod with avocado sauce and crunchy peanuts...
The room, commanded by
French influences on Jacky
** ITALIAN CIBO (Marbella) **
In the golden mile marbellí, the chef Lawrence Otterburn has imported a piece of the Italy more authentic with marvelous audacity. How did he get it? making with the best products of the country - that buffalo , mamma mia! - and turning them into comfort foods in the form of delicious pizza baked in a wood oven, serving classics how they should be served - you will notice that a bolognese well done it can cause pure delirium- and incorporating its touch in dishes such as roasted pumpkin ravioli.
CIBO Italian huge as well intimate , enjoy a modern decoration and nostalgic at the same time, with posters reminiscent of the old homeland And to their waiters, we tell you now, you are going to love them take home. you will finish saying thanks more than you usually do ever, and with a satisfied stomach after a dessert that makes history (perhaps some homemade profiteroles with raspberry cream softened with hot chocolate?). When you're walking out the door, you'll already be thinking of going back.
There is life beyond the city center