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

'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

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

Not to be confused with Modesto Tapas across the street (not recommended), the original Modesto can be quite touristy if you sit outside on the terrace. But inside at the bar it’s much more ‘local’, as well as cheaper. Favourite dishes include the “fritadura modesto” – a plate piled high with tempura style fried strips of onions, green & red peppers, topped with a handful of plump breaded prawns. Also be sure to try the breaded rosada with alioli.

But there is nothing you could order here that isn’t fabulous. Modesto has an excellent reputation for fish and seafood, and service at the bar is super efficient and friendly. I almost always find myself chatting away to other people eating at the bar, it’s just that kind of place. They also offer seasonal specialities, such as wild mushrooms and asparagus.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/2007/08/modesto

listas: restaurants , seafood , sevilla , tapas

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

Every very now and then someone says to me “have you ever been to…?” and I have never heard of the place they are raving about. Well, this happened to me yesterday. How could I not have known that El Gallinero de Sandra has existed for almost ten years?? And so of course I had to check it out.

Where to begin? Let’s start with the décor and ambience, which is charming and comfortable, with a whimsically-decorated dining room and a spacious outdoor terrace. The wine list is very well thought out and reasonably priced. And the food is wonderful. The dishes (no tapas served here) are ample so be aware that a plate for two to share may end up being enough for three. I was very impressed with everything my companion and I tried and cannot even say which dish I liked best because they were all exceptional in their own way. All I know is that I want to go back again real soon.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/el-gallinero-de-sandra

listas: restaurants , seafood , sevilla , tapas

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

Las Tres Jotas (Juan, Jeanine & Jesús) have done it again. As at the original La Azotea in c/Jesús del Gran Poder, their newly opened second location offers superb food and excellent service in a cosy and convivial atmosphere. Same great menu and fabulous wine list (with several varieties available by the glass) along with daily specials. I have too many favourite tapas to list so I’ll let the photos below speak for themselves.

Tapas are available at the bar, full and half raciones at the tables. In December there will be a change in the opening hours when La Azotea Zaragoza starts serving breakfast – will keep you posted.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/la-azotea-zaragoza

azahar lo descubrió en diciembre de 2011

listas: breakfast , gastrobar , restaurants , seafood , sevilla , tapas , wine bar

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

A refreshing change from over-priced “designer tapas” bars. Here most of the tapas range from 2.50 – 3.50 € and are beautifully presented, unpretentious and absolutely delicious. I like the mix of simple home-cooking and innovative combinations of market-fresh ingredients. Beer is good and cheap at 1.10€, and there is a decent wine list, though the wine is a bit pricey at 3.00€ a glass. Owner and chef Claudia explains that she prefers to charge a bit more for wine to keep the food prices down, and you can’t argue with that. Service is friendly if a bit laid back, but this is not a place to rush through your meal. There’s a nice selection of sensibly priced desserts or, if you prefer, finish off with one of the best caipirinhas in town.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/bar-jano

listas: seafood , sevilla , tapas

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

Yes, you will get lost, and upon finally arriving will likely wonder what sort of greasy spoon joint (or “tasca”) you’ve ended up at … and it will all be worth it. The 70′s style dive look is intentional, with retro food pics painted on the windows and spartan décor, but the food is all up to the moment designer tapas, and all expertly prepared in front of you in the open kitchen.

Be sure to get there early or else just join in the “bulla”… my favourite spot is at the bar next to the window, but there are also tables both inside and out on the terrace. Aside from the great food and attentive service there is also a very smart and ever-changing wine list, with lots of good options served by the glass. And be sure to try the cheeky desserts on offer, created by Manu Jara.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/puratasca

listas: sevilla , tapas

Superb innovative cuisine served in a smart and stylish setting

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

I finally had a chance to sample one of the much-acclaimed Gastromium tasting menus and I have to say that it was quite an amazing experience. Chefs Miguel Díaz, Ernest Masalaña and José Luís Carabias run a very impressive kitchen, which I got to have a good look at as that’s where we had our starters, along with a couple of glasses of cava. After the kitchen tour we settled down in the beautifully minimalist dining room (by award-winning interior designer Francesc Rifé) to start on the tasting dishes in ernest, with impeccable maître Duncan explaining each dish to us (and often more than once as my friend Annie Bennett & I both hastened to scribble everything down in our notebooks) and attending to our every need. You can see all the dishes we had below. We tried five different wines altogether: the aforementioned cava, two whites (albariño and rueda), one red (ribera del duero) and a sweet sherry (Pedro Ximénez). This was the Sibaris tasting menu, at 71 euros per person including wines.

Dinner from the a la carte menu (starter, main and dessert) is about 45 euros per person, with wines ranging from 14 – 600 (yikes!) euros. An excellent place for a special occasion, with tapas available on the small terrace during the summer.

Looking forward to their new tapas bar, Antojo, opening on calle Calatrava … latest word is it should be open in time for the holidays.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/gastromium

listas: restaurants , sevilla

Exquisite tapas in chic modern setting

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

Now that Albarama has opened just a couple of doors down from my favourite wine bar Puracepa I’m going to have a hard time deciding which one to choose when I’m in the area. Luckily it won’t create a conflict of loyalty as both are owned by Juan Carlos García, and both will serve different “needs”. Chef Diego at Albarama has created an exquisite tapas list, and also has daily tapas specials depending on what’s fresh at the market that day. Have not yet tried the dining room situated in the back patio, but will let you know when I do.

azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/category/albarama

azahar lo descubrió en septiembre de 2010

listas: gastrobar , restaurants , sevilla , tapas , wine bar

'me encanta, uno de mis favoritos'

azahar lo descubrió en septiembre de 2010

listas: malaga , tapas , wine bar