azahar

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

In a word, delightful. Chef Diego Caminos (formerly with Zelai) has branched out on his own and, along with his oenologist wife Esperanza and his sister Paula, has created La Brunilda, one of the best new tapas bars in town. On the chalkboard menu you will find an enticing selection of traditional tapas with a twist, without the pretention and high prices that have become the norm at many of the new “gastrobars”. A charming and cosy ambiance in a beautifully renovated 18th century house, with great attentive service and amazing food, including tapas-sized salads (why aren’t more people doing this?). Do yourself a favour and go!

azahar lo descubrió en mayo de 2012

listas: restaurants , sevilla , tapas

review coming soon!

azahar lo descubrió en marzo de 2012

listas: sevilla , tapas

Great little neighbourhood bar!

'me gusta'

This lively little neighbourhood bar has been going strong for about thirty years, serving up generous portions of typical Andalusian fare. Lots of fritos here, expertly done. Also some serious looking serranitos and flamenquines, which we didn’t try (but will be back). I’ll also be back for the spinach croquetas and perfectly grilled secreto Ibérico. The bar inside is tiny, and would maybe fit a dozen people in a pinch. But the spacious terraza (which I somehow forgot to photograph – duh) is fabulous. If you want terrific food, decent wine and friendly service at very reasonable prices then check out El Rincon.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/el-rincon

azahar lo descubrió en febrero de 2012

listas: sevilla , tapas

Do yourself a favour and don't go!

'para no volver'

I’ve been asked more times than I can remember… “You haven’t been to La Madraza???”. As if I were missing out on some sort of culinery nirvana. So I finally made it over there yesterday with a friend. And I really wish I hadn’t. Walking in I thought I was making a mistake, but then remembered that sometimes the most shabby of places can turn out the best tasting tapas (though to be honest, this seldom happens in the city anymore). So my friend and I ordered in hope that the food would make up for the tawdry atmosphere of a place that had perhaps been hip fifteen years ago but hadn’t painted or otherwise made any improvements since then. It wasn’t DIRTY exactly, but it gave off the feeling that it was. Ick.

I can’t remember the last time I had more lacklustre food. The “quiche” was a dense muddy slab of tasteless spinach in soggy pastry, topped with a sad bit of goat cheese. The tuna fajita might as well have been chicken and the beef ribs were dry and arrived cold. Last up were the carrilladas (stewed pig’s cheeks) which we needed a knife to cut through… slow roasted cheeks should fall apart at the touch of a fork. Even if these tapas had been cheap (they weren’t at 3-4 euros each) it wouldn’t have made up for how terribly disappointing they were. Nor would it have made up for the haphazard service. This is a place that has seriously seen its day, and that day is long gone. Don’t waste your time or money.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/la-madraza

listas: sevilla , tapas

It was a day of firsts. Today Simún Vintage opened in Santa Catalina (it’s original location in El Juncal is no more) and my foodie friends Ana, Jorge and I were the first customers! It was also the first time I’ve visited a restaurant in the first week of opening (let alone the first hour) and found things running smoothly, both in the kitchen and out on the floor.

Simún Vintage is a charming spot just off a main road near the “real” centre of town, Plaza Encarnación. It has a short and stylish selection of tapas and raciones written on chalkboard menus. I will definitely be back for the “ropa vieja” and grilled presa on wok-fried rice noodles, and especially the grilled squid with ink and ajo blanco. A nice selection of wines by the glass, though a bit pricey. But definitely looking forward to future visits.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/simun-vintage

azahar lo descubrió en enero de 2012

listas: gastrobar , restaurants , sevilla , tapas

Traditional Andalusian cooking and – I am told – one of the best in the neighbourhood of Nervion. The tapas are a bit more adventurous than what appears on the dining room menu, though there are several “off the menu” items listed every day (but it would help to write them down rather than reel off a verbal list of 8 or more items!). The service is efficient and friendly, with a good wine list.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/el-rincon-de-la-buhaira

azahar lo descubrió en octubre de 2008

listas: restaurants , sevilla , tapas

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

This second location of the very popular Las Golondrinas opened in 2007, just around the corner from the original Triana location.

It has a more modern look to it and is also a bit bigger, with an upstairs mezzanine dining area serving raciones, which is more utilitarian than charming. There is also a small section of tables downstairs for tapas, but the best location is sitting or standing at the bar, and the food is just as fabulous as at the original Golondrinas. A very good selection of wines and most tapas are between 2 – 2.50 €, which is excellent value. And yes, you really must try the radishes.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/las-golondrinas-ii

azahar lo descubrió en enero de 2012

listas: sevilla , tapas

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.

azahar-sevilla.com/vivalastapas/category/malaga/la-moraga-de-ant...

azahar lo descubrió en enero de 2012

listas: gastrobar , malaga , restaurants , seafood , tapas

Since opening almost a year ago, it turns out the Puratasca gang no longer has any connection with Labulla, though the bar continues with pretty much the same blackboard menu, offering an appealing selection of cold and hot dishes and lots of good wines by the glass. The service is still “friendly” but now feels a bit artificial, and they really oughtta lose that “theatre rope” at the entrance, which is very unwelcoming. And charging 1€ per person for one basket of bread that is brought to the table without being ordered is, well, against restaurant legislation rulings in Sevilla.

I was almost ready to remove Labulla from my listing here except I’ve heard good reports lately from others who have enjoyed the food and ambiance, so it will stay for now. The food is still quite good, but I don’t think the portion sizes justify the prices, which have increased over the past few months (the prices, not the portion sizes). And what used to be a cheeky eclectic atmosphere that was lively and fun now feels like more style than substance. Still, it’s a decent place to go for something a bit different on a Sunday evening when everywhere else is closed.

azahar lo descubrió en marzo de 2011

listas: gastrobar , sevilla , tapas

Rude and unwelcoming staff

When we arrived at La Botica (at lunchtime) all the tables in the "tapas section" were taken or reserved. In the "restaurant section" all the tables were free and none were reserved. We asked if we could have some tapas in the empty restaurant section. No. Then I saw that people in the tapas section were ordering from the restaurant menu (!!!). Why weren't these people seated in the restaurant section??

I explained I was interested in writing a review on the tapas there and didn't know when I'd be back in the neighbourhood. They wouldn't budge. And not only were the waitress and manager unhelpful, they were actually quite rude. Obviously they thought we were tourists and not worth the bother.

In a city like Sevilla with over 3,000 tapas bars to choose from you would think that customer service would be of the utmost importance. The quality of the service can really make or break one's dining experience. If these two had at least smiled and been friendly about refusing our request I might have considered going back.

So in the end I didn't get to try any of the food, which is too bad because it looks nice on their webpage. But to be honest I didn't actually see anything on the menu that I can't find elsewhere, where I know the service will be both efficient and friendly.

listas: restaurants , sevilla , tapas