The famous brioche French toast on English cream with praline ice cream bathed in dulce de leche
The verb “dessert” does not exist, but the Royal Spanish Academy of Language (RAE) should be asked to include it in the next edition of its dictionary. Especially after a visit to La Cueva de la Zarzamora, an establishment dedicated almost exclusively to desserts.
After three years struggling with the works to accommodate a property that dates back to the mid-19th century, La Cueva de la Zarzamora opened to the public on September 17. "It's a dream come true," says its owner, Sandra Martín.
The cave, which gives its name to the space, dates back to the mid-19th century
Located in the number 2 of Blanca de los Ríos street in the Sevillian municipality of Alcalá de Guadaíra, is “the first dessert shop in Andalusia”. It arises from the need to give prominence to dishes that are sometimes reviled. Sandra is clear: "I can't imagine that there isn't a good selection of desserts in a restaurant." Her husband and her companion on this adventure, Moisés Romero, complements: "In many places desserts suck and they are not worked."
The marriage, which also runs the Cuevas Anita tavern of San Miguel At the foot of the castle in Alcalá, she had been devising a project for a long time in which Sandra could expand. Now his “peak moment” has arrived.
La Cueva de la Zarzamora vindicates sweetness with a specialized menu: from the recurrent carrot cakes, from three chocolates and red velvet to the bacon from heaven or the special chocolate truffles. The presentation is very careful and surprising. The can jarrillo, for example, has cookie cream, chocolate brownie, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and caramel.
By season, it is offered rice pudding, fried milk and poleas from Alcalá, a traditional dish derived from sweet porridge eaten in the fall and winter months. In this business you have to subscribe to the 'Bad Luck', a wafer filled with kinder cream, chocolate ice cream on a land of biscuits and meringue flakes. “But, what is this?!” exclaimed Matías Prats.
Bad Luck Dessert
But among all of Sandra's creations, there is one that stands out: the brioche French toast on English cream with praline ice cream bathed in dulce de leche. The hotelier does not know how to explain very well, perhaps out of modesty, the popular demand for her version of the recipe by Basque chef Martín Berasategui. Moses gives some clues: “the respect for the preparation times, the slow fire, the butter imported from Paris and, of course, the love that he puts into it”.
In La Cueva de la Zarzamora there is no lack coffee and drinks to accompany desserts. The Gin de la Morería is an own elaboration through the maceration with blackberry, angostura and natural citrus of a gin from the Valdespino winery (Grupo Estévez). Also, sherry wines they are a personal bet of Moisés, winner since 2013. The variety of flavors and aromas They make these pair "very well" with different proposals. The recommendations go beyond the typical suggestions of cream and Pedro Ximénez and seek experiment with amontillados and palo cortados. There's also hole for the cocktail bar with classic options like mojito and piña colada.
Sandra Martin and Moises Romero
"A MARVEL"
ran the year 1851 when a family of shearers and muleteers had nine vaulted stables and a large cave in the former alley of La Botica in Alcalá de Guadaíra . The property passed from family to family, from business to business until it came into the hands of the Romero Martin marriage.
Sandra has meticulously directed the remodeling of the estate and has preserved some of its original features. She has restored different rooms, which she has specifically decorated, such as Sandra Romero's tailor shop or Cayetana Art and Antiques, both alluding to her daughters.
But the great cave, which gives its name to the establishment, traps the customer. With its wooden tables and neo chairs, it is a welcoming space where in a post-pandemic future Musical evenings will be organized in which flamenco, the land of Joaquín el de la Paula's soleá, will be the protagonist.
The place looks like a movie set. It is no coincidence that the owners spend part of their free time at the flea market. “Antiques are our hobby. We are keeping gossip”, Moses says. Many of them are distributed in the different rooms of an establishment that takes the client to the middle of the last century. Even the staff wears a uniform corresponding to the 1940s.
“It is a wonder, a pride for the people”, says neighbor Mercedes Mellado, who was impressed by her visit. The reception by the residents of Alcala has been very good, according to its owners. “We had to throw people back”, Sandra remembers about the first opening weekend.
The Cueva de la Zarzamora could become one of the hotel attractions in Alcalá de Guadaíra. Desire to "dessert" is not lacking.
Address: Calle Blanca de los Ríos, n2, 41500 Alcalá de Guadaíra, Seville See map
Telephone: 955 11 57 65