A WEEK IN GALICIA..May
 

I began the thread in December, about a planned visit to Galicia and Lanzarote; but since it is confusing to tie the two destinations together, I am beginning this separate thread about Galicia.

This is the combined thread:

https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/surprising-combo-spain-or-maybe-italy-lanzarote-galicia-1719277/

So to begin this, I want to ask a question:

We are planning 3 nights in Santiago de Compostela, at the San Francisco Hotel Monumental. From there, I had planned to take a taxi to Pontevedra, where I've booked the parador for 4 nights.

I want to dine at D'Berto in O"Grove on Saturday (the day we leave Santiago). Both Culler de Pau and D'Berto are in O"Grove. So I am now wondering about the seemingly crazy idea to fit in a night at Gran Hotel La Toja on Saturday night, so we could be close to D'Berto and (maybe) have lunch at Culler de Pau the following day (Sunday) before leaving for Pontevedra and checking in at the Parador. It does mean more checking in and checking out, but I know Maribel has stayed at the GH La Toja. I've had it in my mind for decades, ever since it was featured in a book I still have called something like, "Grand Hotels of Spain (that's not the actual title and I am not in NYC now so cannot look at my bookshelf; its a large format paperback that features alll these (o obviously) grand old hotels. Not only that, but I've been a fan of 4th black soap, Magno La Tojo, for years; I used to bring back boxes of it when I came home from Spain. This option would save me going back and forth from Pontevedra to O'Grove and La Toga looks pretty in photos, and the pools at the hotels look incredible (I've written to them to ask if a large pool is open and heated in May)

So that's kind of a crazy idea....or is it: Check out of Santiago, taxi to LA Toja, check into hotel, relax for the day and have dinner at D'Berto. The next day maybe lunch at Culler but surely: Txi to Pontevedra and check into Parador. Maribel, do you know off any Pontevedra restaurants open on Sunday night, in case we skip Culler de Pau?

All comments welcome!!

In this situation, stay overnight stay at La Toja!! No question st all.
Wr love that area ofSpain. We stayed in the Parador in Baiona, then in O Grove and Cambados. Enjoy your dinner and relax!

Thanks, Happy!!! Didi you by any chance write a trip report? Your trip must have been wonderful!

Now I am finding that Sundays, many places are open for lunch, but MONDAY looks like a problem...I can't find many restaurants open. One I did find was Loaira Xantar, which might be good, but I've not read anything here, or anywhere else for that matter. But no website that I can find.

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/gal...taurant/loaira

I would do it!
Yes, I've stayed at the Gran Hotel La Toja twice and loved it. It's very classic, Old Style (I also have that book!!), and there's that indoor pool! And as you know, La Toja black soap comes from there.
Like HappyTrvlr I've also stayed in the Baiona Parador, the one in Cambados, the one in Pontevedra and Tui (plus the ones in the countryside in mid-east Galicia).

But the Gran Hotel La Toja would be much closer to D'Berto and Culler de Pau for you.

La Toja-O'Grove restaurant open on Sunday night, starting at 8:30---BEIRAMAR
https://guide.michelin.com/es/es/gal...rante/beiramar
https://www.elespanol.com/treintayse...isitas-o-grove

Like D'Berto, it's a classic. I tried to reserve online but couldn't for some reason, so have the hotel book for you.

[QUOTE=Maribel;17529453]I would do it!
Yes, I've stayed at the Gran Hotel La Toja twice and loved it. It's very classic, Old Style (I also have that book!!), and there's that indoor pool! And as you know, La Toja black soap comes from there.
Like HappyTrvlr I've also stayed in the Baiona Parador, the one in Cambados, the one in Pontevedra and Tui (plus the ones in the countryside in mid-east Galicia).

But the Gran Hotel La Toja would be much closer to D'Berto and Culler de Pau for you.

La Toja-O'Grove restaurant open on Sunday night, starting at 8:30---BEIRAMAR
https://guide.michelin.com/es/es/gal...rante/beiramar
https://www.elespanol.com/treintayse...isitas-o-grove

Like D'Berto, it's a classic. I tried to reserve online


Maribel, thanks again, yet again!!! I went midway a sample booking at BEIRAMAR online.. But before selecting the date, they ask you which table you want, and then when you go to choose date, it says there is a 25 euro charge for the table (??). I tried with a "terrace" table. I've never encountered that before..do they mean 25euro in addition to the dinner..that sounds unlikely. What do you think/know about this:. Maybe they charge for you to book out an entire, specific, much-in-demand table..(??)

https://restaurantebeiramar.com/wp-c...er-300x300.png Mesa T2Hora:21:00
Reservado:enero 28, 2024
Horario:Cena
25,00 € Mesa T2 quantity 25,00 €

Unfortunately, I haven't the slightest idea.
I tried to do a dummy booking as well, but nothing popped up. Then I changed browsers and saw that to reserve a table (but I didn't select a specific table), there was a charge of 25 euros.
What I imagine and am just guessing here---- is that it is a charge that protects them against a last minute cancellation or no show, and the 25 euros will be deducted from your restaurant bill. If you cancel or are a no show, they have your 25 euros as a cancellation or no show fee.

Like what they do in Michelin -starred restaurants, like Arzak.
At Arzak if you don't cancel by email (not by phone) within 48 hours, €270 euros per guest will be charged to the credit card entered during the reservation process.

Maybe the hotel can call them to find out if my theory is correct?!

Not pertinent to this topic at all, eks, but something you may enjoy reading---an article this morning in El Mundo about yours and my favorite roast baby lamb restaurant in Castilla-León,
MANNIX.
https://www.elmundo.es/metropoli/gas...28a8b45b0.html

Ekscrunchy, No, I didn’t write a trip report but perhaps I can answer some questions for you.

Oh, Maribel, that is wonderful to read about MANNIX. Indeed, one of the best meals of my life! It seems like a big omission that very few people on this forum don't explore that immediate area...I know Julie Vikmanis did, but she is the only one that I recall wrote about her experiences. What could be more glorious than to stay at ABADIA RETUERTA and sample the lechazo restaurants in that area?? For wine lovers, especially! And so relatively close to Madrid...Ii remember that we arrived at the airport and immediately drove to ABADIA that same morning. It's an expensive place, but quite a few forum-goers would be open to that, I think. Even Pedraza and Sepulveda get little mention here. I think that that is when I first became aware of how fantastic you are!! When you shared the information about a restaurant in Sepulveda...but as II remember it was not Tinin, but a butcher shop where you could choose your meat and have it prepared to your liking (???). The details are very fuzzy, though, so perhaps I am totally off base. The other area that gets scant mention is the area around JARANDILLA LA VERA..where we stayed at the Parador. And that was back when JL was still working so we dashed through that town, Toledo,, Se4govia, and even to Caceres! Imagine that now...NO!!

So, I got way off track here. SO: Back to Galicia. If I include La Tojo/O"Grove, it would men taking a day from Pontevedra and live 3 nights in that town. However, that plan would mean traveling from Santiago to La Tojo on a Saturday, checking into the GH LA TOJA, a little relaxing non then to D'BERTO for dinner. Fine so far. But then on the Sunday wee would have to check out of the hotel early to get to Pontevedra in time for Sunday lunch OR have lunch in O"Grove (Culler??) and then go to Pontevedra. All good BUT that leaves almost no real time to hang around the hotel's pools and enjoy the hotel itself.

So that brings me to the idea of spending 2 nights at LA TOJA...and have dinner at BEIRAMAR. (You must be correct about that 25 euro charge). Then go to Pontevedra on Monday and have just Monday night and Tuesday at the Parador. (I need to look at Pontevedra restaurants to see who is open Monday night); one that "might" be open is LOAIRA XANTAR but I've not confirmed that. So with that plan we would have just Monday afternoon and Tuesday In Pontevedra. It does seem like a fairly small place..maybe that is enough time (??)

I know its a difficult choice, but I'd love to hear your opinion!!

I vote for 2 nights at La Toja to relax. I think, honestly, that 4 nights in Pontevedra is a bit of an overkill, as much as I like the town, and as pretty as it is. I vote for 2 and 2.

And I so, very miss Julie Vikmanis on the forum. She was my "guru" regarding dining and lodging (hope you're reading this, Julie Vik, as you're dearly missed!)

Yeah to Mannix, which we both love and to Jarandilla, which we also love. We need to get back to Abadía Retuerta soon, my heaven on earth!
We spent both my birthday and my husband's birthday last year at Abadía Retuerta just so that we could dine at Mannix on both occasions!

Oh, Maribel, that must have been divine! I "need" to get back to ABADIA!! It's one of the loveliest hotels I've ever stayed at.

For anyone reading this, here is the hotel we are discussing...within an easy drive from Madrid and you do need/should have a car if you stay there,. The hotel is closed now and reopens in late February:


https://www.abadia-retuerta.com/home








I plan to switch the plan to include 2 nights at GH LA TOJA and 2 at the Parador in Pontevedra. I'm sos glad that you like that idea,, I now have full confidence that this will be the best plan.

I am adding this restaurant, in Santiago, to the thread, because it looks as ifs it might be a possibility; open daily for lunch and dinner.



https://www.cafedealtamira.com/en/menu

With a nod from both Repsol and Michelin, you can't go wrong.
But don't forget the two places of Lucía Freitas, A Tafona and Lumbre, if one of them fits into your schedule.

Will try too fit at least one of those in, Maribel.

To update: I've requested by e-mail (hotel website did not work with Amex although hotel does take it) a double room with sea view, breakfast, and thermal spa included, for two nights, a Saturday and Sunday.

So we will have:

3 nights Santiago de Compostela--San Francisco Hotel Monumento
2 nights GH La Toja
2 nights Parador de Pontevedra



After Galicia, fly from Santiago to Lanzarote direct.

Besides some restaurants, biggest decision is whether or not to rent a car in Galicia (or use taxis); we will do so in Lanzarote.

Well, the driving on the Galicia coast around the Rias Baixas is easy or has been for us...not so much around the Costa da Morte and Rias Altas, as it's so slow going, but you won't be headed there anyway.
You can zoom down to La Toja-O Grove on the AP-9 from Santiago in about an hour, or you could go the slower coastal route and stop for a look around at lovely Cambados, the "capital" of the Rias Baixas D.O., subzone, Salnés. Along the beach you can see the mariscadoras doing their harvesting work. We've stayed there at the Parador.

Gracias, Maribel!

Renting a car sounds much more appealing, as long as it will not be stressful for the driver. But then, perhaps after my upcoming "practice run" in and around Vejer, I will be eager to take the wheel. For me it is less stressful to drive oneself than to be the passenger of a stressed-out driver!


I'll go back and forth about this with the companion traveller. It's funny, but some how once you we rent/pay for the car, we don't think about cost much. While if we have NO car,, it would mean taxis from Santiago-La Toja, La Toja-Pontevedra and, finally, from Pontevedra to Santiago airport. Plus any shorter taxis rides for example, from GH La Toja to D'Berto and back. The cost definitely figures into those transactions.

<<I know readers might advise taking buses but for this particular trip, especially given the luggage and the back issues, I'm almost certain we will decide between either rental car, or taxis>>

Update even before posting: Just took a quick look and I see that a taxi ride of less than an hour from Pontevedra to Santiago airport will be in the range of 300euro----pretty high....once I take a deeper look into this, I'm guessing we will decide to rent the car upon leaving Santiago. So we can make stops to drink in all the goings-on en route!!

Do you think that it would be easy enough to rent a car in Santiago center (instead of having to taxi out to the airport to pick up the car for the drive onward?). I will look at the rental locations but I'm guessing it would not be too stressful, especially on a weekend......

Thanks so much for the help, yet again!!!

Talk it over well with the companion, as I know you will. If I were you, but of course, I'm not, I would rent the car. And you can make as many stops as your heart desires between Santiago and O Grove/La Toja.
I've never rented a car in Santiago center, only at the A Coruña airport, where we've landed. I would check to see which rental agencies (in town or at the airport) offer automatics, probably the airport location, but I don´t know from experience.

And now, since we have our own car, we drive!

Another Guía Repsol article about the mariscadoras de Cambados and environs.

Oh, Maribel, this is wonderful!

Of course, I ought to be finishing up my packing for my departure TOMORROW but yet again, procrastination wins again!!!
I'm just about finished with an attempt to take FEWER clothes this trip....that attempt seems to be partially successful. And this trip may be the fist one I've ever taken without a printed guidebook, although said book is nestled next to my backpack, just in case I change my mind!!

Eckscrunchy, you can win the battle of taking too many clothes! I use packing cubes and categorize them. So one for short sleeved tees, another for long sleeves etc. Once the cube is full, you’re done. And then you’ll have more room for your food purchases!

Eks,
The Rías Baixas is now producing a sparkling albariño you may want to try. Mar de Frades produces one, a Brut Nature.

The very pretty granite town of Cambados, the "capital' of the Rías Baixas DO, subzone Salnés, filled with attractive seignorial pazos (Galician manor homes), is all about albariño and mussels (and other molluscs). Along the Paseo Marítimo you´ll see the many bateas, the wooden structures where the mussels are cultivated. In the Rías Gallegas there are more than 3,330 of these bateas that annually produce more than 285,000 tons of mussels.

You might want to pick up some conservas (clams, mussels, cockles, baby scallops) from Conservas de Cambados while in the area.

I once dragged my friends all the way over via the Calle Hospital to the fishermen's quarter of San Tomé de Mar for dinner to the simple bar/restaurant, Casa Pintos (a casa de comidas), because Gwyneth Paltrow and Mario Batali filmed a sequence there of their "Spain on the Road Again" there.

eks,
I'm just here to wish you a wonderful trip. You'll be in the south much before we arrive in Córdoba on March 21 unfortunately, so we'll miss each other this time, but we'll be thinking about you!
Just to say that we hope you have a wonderful trip. ¡Buen viaje!

Maribel, after being pleased with the decision to spend the two weekend nights at LA Tooja, I just received this e-mail from the hotel!!

Not sure it is will be smart to stay there without the luxury of the pools! but then it IS close to D'Berto and CULLER.

Can you think, off hand, of any other hotel for the 2 weekend nights that would be close do D'Berto?
Two nights in Cambados?

As. you know I am traveling now so not giving this my total interest but still want to plan for this next foray to Spain!!

<<<<Buenas tardes,
nos acaban de comunicar que la piscina está en obras y no estará operativa en mayo; quiere igualmente que le hagamos un presupuesto?

Un saludo,


https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/pr...-hotels-02.png
Dpto. de Recepción y Reservas
Eurostars Gran Hotel La Toja*****
T: +34 986 73 00 25
Rúa da Condesa s/n
36991 O Grove >>>>

I'm not sure I understand their offer to give me a "presupuesto" (???)


Its teeming now here in Cordoba!!!
Saludos, erica

eks.
I assume you already made your reservations and were given a rate for the spa package? This may refer to the room rate being lowered due to the lack of the pool/spa facilities, the "presupuesto" being the amount your room and spa treatments would now cost per night without the spa facilities.

There are 2 other 4-star spa hotels on the island in addition to this classic Gran Hotel---another Eurostars, the Eurostars Isla de la Toja and the Talasso Hotel Lou a Toxa. Both have pools. Being 4-star rather than 5-star they wouldn't be a part of the AmEx Platinum program or hotels offered by Virtuoso.

Check their ratings and reviews on booking.com

The Cambados Parador would be a 25-30 min. drive from the two restaurants-- D'Berto and Culler de Pau. It's a nice Parador but not a "luxury" one, but neither is the one in Pontevedra city. And the Baiona Parador is just too far south. I've stayed at all 3 of these, plus Santiago's and Tui's and all the inland ones.

There's also the Augusta Eco Wellness Resort 4 star Superior in Sanxenxo, but I'm not a big Sanxenxo fan (been there but too developed for me, despite it being a favorite escape from Dubai of the King Emeritus, Juan Carlos.)

Another thought, eks,
Since the pools at the Eurostars Gran Hotel La Toja will be closed during your stay, since there's another Eurostars on the island, the Eurostars Isla de la Toja, ask them if you can use their spa/pool services at the other property. Worth an email.

I believe you don´t have to stay at the other Eurostars, the Eurostars ISLA DE LA TOJA to enjoy their spa-wellness facilities, which are very extensive. See the options here.

La Toja is a must if you are around the area. Is a spa hotel for absolute relaxation.

If it were my trip, which it isn't !!!!, I would book a corner suite with sea views at the Gran Hotel La Toja and use the spa/pool facilities at the other Eurostars on the island, the Eurostars Isla de la Toja. It's a 5 minute walk! La Toja island is indeed about total relaxation, but I would want water views from my room at the Gran Hotel, and expect very Old European Style ambiance; it's certainly not contemporary by any means, but that's part of the charm.
https://www.elmundo.es/viajes/espana...8738b4645.html

Maribel have you come across any excellent restaurants in or close to Pontevedra that are open on Mondays, particularly Monday nights but comida would be ok also, given the small selection on that day of the week? (I will have Monday and Tuesday in Pontevedra as long as I can sort out the La Toja hotel dilemma...

eks,
For Monday lunch or dinner IN Pontevedra
O EIRADO, don't miss this one on a very pretty square, the Plaza de la Leña in the heart of the historic quarter. One Michelin star, one Repsol sun. Lunch from 1 to 4 and dinner from 9 to 11.

LA CASA DE LAS CINCO PUERTAS (Repsol recommended) is also open on Mondays for lunch/dinner.

Unfortunately the 2 Michelin starred and 3 Repsol sunned Pepe Solla in the suburb of Poio is closed on Mondays. The chef opened last month a new place, an asador, in a former hardware store called the CHURRASQUERÍA VARELA that I've read about in La Voz de Galicia. it´s open on Mondays and is getting lots of press. In fact upon its opening, it booked up immediately on the web. As you can ascertain by its name, the grill for meats takes pride of place here. He also does pizzas.
It's received lots of local press coverage because of the chef. By May I may have a better sense of the quality of cooking here from the local gastro critics.

Maribel, thanks so much for all the help, everywhere!!!

Eirado de Luna seems to be closed on Mondays; I tried to book on their website and was unable to do so on a Monday. (??)

I've now begun booking some of my restaurants:

After 3 nights in Santiago, where I've booked no restaurants yet, we arrive on a Saturday in La Toja.



For Saturday night: Culler de Pau.
Sunday night; D'Berto (I know, no seafood on Sundays, but we wanted to eat dinners, not lunches, so we could use the thermal baths in the daytime...)
Monday...if we love D'Berto, we can return for lunch Monday before moving on to Pontevedra Parador. (Yeah, seafood on Tuesdays..I know..)
Monday night ?????
Tuesday night: Eirado de Lena

ON another subject, I read recently that you liked a restaurant in Retiro, in Madrid, that serves dinners on Sunday nights. Unfortunately didi not take note of the name..do you remember??

Although google says it's open on Mondays, no, Eirado de Leña isn't bookable on Mondays on its web site. Google is sometimes flat out wrong.

It's no seafood on Mondays because the fishermen don't go out on Sundays but remember that Rafa in Madrid is wide open on Sundays for lunch, where I've had a very memorable seafood centric meal.

Monday night in Pontevedra while staying at the Parador?
I was going to say the new Churrasquería Varela by Michelin starred Pepe Vieira, BUT it's only open on Mondays for lunch from 1:30-4.
So...

• Loaira Xantar, the second restaurant, actually tapas bar, of the chef of Eirado Leña, just a few steps away on the same charming square. Repsol and Michelin recommended, and open for dinner Mondays, but closed Tuesdays. https://www.facebook.com/people/Loai...?locale2=es_ES
• Casa de las 5 Puertas (great tortilla), open on Sunday nights starting at 8 pm. https://www.5puertas.com

Let's see...Retiro on a Sunday night...It must have been KULTO on Calle Ibiza in the Ibiza barrio of the Retiro district, whose owners are from Zahara de los Atunes and used to have the restaurant Trastero there. It specializes in atún rojo de almadraba. Retiro on a Sunday night is tough, since Rafa changed its Sunday hours.

La Montería, which we love, is open on Monday nights but NOT Sundays.

Another Monday option for Pontevedra, GUMER, a vinoteca. serving fusion but with a Galician base. Repsol recommended. I haven't been.
https://gumer.es
https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/fichas.../gumer-332686/
https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial...vedra_3592568/

Maribel, thanks so much!

Yes, it was KULTO that I remembered you had mentioned. Should I put it on my list for Sunday nights in the city?

I'm now up to booking the Santiago restaurants for the three nights we will be there, thankfully no Sundays or Mondays.....so will return to your tips....
Poor Partner J....D'Berto has two meat dishes on their menu and I did request, on the Culler de Pau booking form, that whenever possible they should avoid serving him any raw fish or shellfish..I certainly could not request meat-only!!! I always give thanks that is he so flexible about restaurants....but for now I've kept to myself the anticipation of percebes, angulas, pulpo, and all the rest....!!

Ok, now to read about food in Santiago (I know which cake I want....every night and as daytime snack..my favorite, born in Santiago! (Although I do like the version in the Pays Basque, with the cherry preserves in the middle, if I remember correctly..)

And to finish up the ongoing Andalucia/Madrid report....the reports always take me longer to finish than the trip itself..

TABERNA DE LINO sounds just like my type of place...I'd love to get out into the countryside and the food would make us both happy. But unfortunately, my only option would be the long drive from La Toja to Sunday lunch, and then back to Pontevedra, so I guess I'll have to leave that for another trip. This trip was so hastily planned that I realize that I gave very short shrift to Galicia, mainly because of that once-a-week direct flight from Santiago to Lanzarote. But always good to get a nice overview and plan a return visit..I've only been to that area one two VERY brief stays, both in Santiago only and both years ago..

Here is my long list for Santiago; I have to cut a few, though:

2.0 Abastos. (sit at bar or at table???). This might be good for lunch our first day, a Wednesday, after arrival from NYC-MAD-Santiago.
A Tafona
Cafe de Altamira
Pampin


Any and all comments welcome..I'll look them over this afternoon, online..would like to book Abastos 2.0 as soon as possible but not sure about bar vs restaurant tables....AIA know there is one long communal table but cannot tell if this ice the seating for the bar or the restaurant. While I like the idea of chatting with other diners, I'm afraid that the seating might be cramped, especially for my partner, who likes to sit with no one on his left, if possible. (Left handed with impaired use of left arm as well)

I added ASADOR GONZABA to the mix, because it is a meat restaurant, with various cuts of Galician beef as well as lechazo (the lamb for two, only). Walk from hotel.

https://www.carta360.com/AsadorGonza.../?A=NO&I=0&V=1


And:

ANACO

SIMPAR (sounds great but I could not find much information; one Repsol "sun")

O'PAZO in Padron. (This is an outlier for us; it is very expensive, tasting menu, located in Padron, the pepper capital.). Maribel, if you've been to Padron, is it an interesting town that would meet the drive from Santiago?)


Of course there are far too many restaurants than days for us, even if we ate three meals a day!!!!

Main thing right now is to decide where to request seating at Abastos 2.0...

HI eks,
As usual for you and for me, we always have far too many restaurants than days! It killed me to cull my Córdoba list down to 5, as I had 3 more that I wanted to try (since I blew that reservation at Noor).

We go to KULTO on Sunday nights, but the downstairs bar gets a bit zoo like, as it's one of the few Retiro places open on Sunday nights. I do like their almadraba dishes, but my minor quibble with them is that they're very small and too small to be shared. The upstairs dining room would offer a more relaxing experience.
Another little Retiro area bistrot that we've enjoyed on Sunday nights is EL TALGO BAR on Sainz de Baranda. The service is very friendly and the overall experience pleasant, but no fireworks. It's a tapas/small plates place to enjoy a good picoteo.
https://www.larazon.es/madrid/202202...xuvuxcy7a.html

Tarta De Santiago----a dry almond cake (eggs, sugar, almond, lemon), dusted with powdered sugar and with the St. James sword stenciled on top
https://www.carolinescooking.com/tarta-de-santiago/

Gâteau Basque---heavenly, filled with either black cherry jam from Itxassou or pastry cream, with the Basque cross, the Lauburu cut into the top. (I bought the cake tin at the Gâteau Basque museum in Sare and the Lauburu cookie cutter from the Basque Museum in Boise).
https://spanishsabores.com/gateau-ba...y-basque-cake/

Now...Santiago
2.0 in the Mercado de Abastos for lunch--better book a table for your partner
A Tafona for dinner with rezzies made far in advance
Pampín Bar
Café de Altamira
Asador Gonzaba
These are keepers but you'll probably want to choose between Asador de Gonzaga for meats for your partner and Café de Altamira, if you can't fit in all 5, since both have meat options! The chef of Pampín Bar spent 3 years with Paco Morales in his now closed Bocairent restaurant.

Yes, I´ve been to and dined in Padrón, but you have so many great options in Santiago, I honestly wouldn't bother.

Yes, and next to It you have the town of O'Grove where I tried one of the best seafood in my life.

ekscrunchy, the OP, is headed to O'Grove for a stay and several meals.

Thank you, Jean Luis...What was the name of the restaurant: ASADOR D'BERTO??

Maribel, thank you SO much. I spent all afternoon looking into the restaurants in Santiago so of course am still stuck in Barbate on the ongoing report!!!!

At Abastos2.0, is the long table shown shown, below, in the bar area?


Interesting that Michelin lists the Bar and the Restaurant as two separate entities....

Yes, the long table, mesa corrida, is in the bar area, if memory serves. Abastos 2.0 began in 2010 as a bar in the market then it grew and needed more space and morphed into a sit down restaurant.

As far as bar seating is concerned, it does get crowded, very crowded. So it may be uncomfortable for your partner.

Thanks, Maribel!! Just booked A TAFONA for dinner on our last (of three) nights there. There was an option to decide one which tasting menu once you arrive, so I chose that but from looking at both menus, I think the longer one is the one to choose.