Fuengirola I must confess wouldn't ordinarily be my first choice destination. My partner has a relative out there so we've had free accommodation and a reason to go. However, I seem to have fallen for the place. Yes there is a real element of Brits abroad which I try and turn a blind eye too. Yes the sea front is lined with high rise hotels blocking out the once magnificent mountain views. But, as with anywhere where you know what the locals know, such a place can reveal some unexpected treasures. There is a square, where of an evening you can sit and have an expensive glass of wine, and admire the old town hall, there is another square by the old post office where you can get a large brandy and a coffee for a few euros, in unspoilt peace. There are restaurants where you wonder how they can produce food of such quality for the prices they charge. The Beaches are fantastic if not busy at peak times. Oh and there’s a Zoo. What was once cages full of sad animals has become an magnificent site where animals have carefully thought out enclosures. SP_A0096.jpg)
Where to stay:
SP_A0101.jpg)
Well this is going to be short. Only once have we not been able tos stay with said relative. All I can say is, you tend to get what you pay for.
Where to eat:
The pork in sauce is tender and cooked to perfection but my favourite is the entrecote. The quality of the beef is excellent. The veg that accompanies most of the dishes is season with garlic salt and it is oh so addictive. The food here is simple. and most things come with chips and veg. This is how they serve you so quickly and get a high turnover of covers each night. The set menus come with wine, which he buys in bulk from his preferred vineyard so again, its not vinegar your drinking and it quite quaffable. As for desserts, i've never managed to stray from the Creme Brulee or the Crema Catalana.
Locals flock to this place and it is always busy. It’s a little cramped inside but you get a feeling that everyone is just happy to have a table. I’m not sure I've ever eaten anywhere that is such good value for money. My next recommendation is a painful one to admit, having earlier bemoaned the whole Brits abroad culture. But it’s a Chinese. Now, I don't think I should be completely panned for this, as there is a large Chinese community in Fuengirola, so it only makes sense that there are some good Chinese restaurants. Kevin, the owner is extremely friendly. The restaurant is called Ying Bing and can be found down fish alley. He even makes the house chilli dipping sauce himself. He tells us that when he makes it, the entire family leave the premises as the heat from the cooked chilli is so powerful it is almost unbearable. So, when you order your spring rolls and you offered the hot chilli sauce, do dip with caution! The food here is not laced with MSG or other chemicals, it is just simply, good quality chinese food. The Spring rolls are the best i’ve ever had. The Pork in hot sauce is the best i’ve ever had. All the dishes on the set menus (you can mix and match if you ask) are the best i’ve ever had. I’m sure if you went to london and spent a lot of money at a top end Chinese restaurant I would be proved wrong but having been here with people who travel to China, they too rave about this place.
No comments:
Post a Comment