Reviving the Sunday lunch tradition in Spain

Paul and Rita Whitelock have revived the tradition of Sunday lunch in the last few weeks. What a great way to relax on a Sunday afternoon. Paul tells us more.

Sunday, 1 August 2021

A few weeks ago we went to Écija (Sevilla), halfway between the Andalucían capital and Córdoba. Known as la sartén de España, the frying pan of Spain, Écija was certainly on the warm side.

Anyway, after a brief explore of the town centre, come 2-ish we were hungry, so I looked on Google and found the Trip Advisor list of the 10 best restaurants. Number 1 was Restaurante Las Ninfas. Without much hope, I rang to see whether they had a table for two. Amazingly they did, so off we went to a most charming restaurant in the museum building (see photograph above).

Restaurante Las Ninfas

The menu was a bit different to what we’re used to down in Málaga province, which was exciting.

For example, I chose mazamorra, a kind of salmorejo made without tomatoes, followed by a bull’s tail risotto, both of which were delicious.

Rita opted for carrilladas cut into strips served with tacos, followed by pulpo a la gallega.

In between those courses, we shared an elver (baby eels) salad. Mmmm!

All washed down with some speciality beers. Altogether we spent 50€. Outstanding value for money.

Sunday, 8 August 2021

Restaurante Audalazar, Atajate

Last Sunday, we went to a restaurant we hadn’t been to in years, Restaurante Audalázar in Atajate.

We sat outside on the covered terrace and enjoyed a delightful couple of hours eating the tastiest and well-presented food you could imagine.

We shared a delicious house salad to start and then Rita went for one of the specials, filete de buey, ox fillet steak. She ordered it al punto and that’s what she got. She loved it.

I opted for another special, lomo con salsa de higo, and I was not disappointed. A couple of glasses of Ribera del Duero followed by coffee and we were replete. Quite expensive, but worth every penique.

Sunday, 15 August 2021

El Muelle de Arriate

Last Sunday, we booked for our old favourite, El Muelle de Arriate, commonly known as Frank’s. However, because of the extreme heat, we switched to the evening, which was sensible.

That turned out to be a smart decision. We arrived at 9 pm and sat on the terrace by the railway line in relative comfort. We couldn‘t get the QR scanner to work to look at the menu, so Frank, as is his wont, recited the starters menu to us.

They all sounded good, but we decided to share two; first a wrap filled with avocado, strips of lettuce and other wonderful things. This was followed by a tasty salad that contained vieiras (coquilles Saint Jacques) and prawns. Accompanied by a bottle of house verdejo. Mmmm!

Our preferred main course, a stuffed calamar, a whole squid, had sold out, which was somewhat annoying, but our substitute choice was a knockout: Tataki de ternera con patatas y ajo frito, beef tatyaki with potatoes, fried garlic, salad and vegetables al diente. Washed down with a glass of Ribera del Duero.

That was it. It was gone 11 pm – time to go home.

Three great Sunday lunches in three weeks. Where shall we go next Sunday?

El Muelle de Arriate