CARACOLES
Artistic and Stylish Tapas created by an Artistic and Stylish Couple

I made a very spur of the moment decision last night to return to my still favourite restaurant in Corralejo and receive the usual warm welcome from Carlos and Sylvia. I feel I can review this restaurant on a regular basis anyway as Carlos is consistently conjuring up new innovative concoctions to serve as his tapas.

The format of the restaurant is still the same with Sylvia gracing the “front of house” in her sophisticated and sexy manner while Carlos works enthusiastically in the open kitchen cooking food to order effortlessly and efficiently. The two of them work together like a well oiled machine and it´s a pleasure to watch two people so harmoniously in tune with one another (aaahhh – love´s young dream!). Sylvia will describe to you the tapas listed on a blackboard and will ask if there is anything in particular that you would like or that you do not like. They still offer a selection of either four or six tapas with a bottle of wine for anyone who finds making the choice just too daunting.

Dining in Caracoles is like walking into a college dining hall; you will always find friends and acquaintances from past and present enjoying the delights of the day´s selection of tapas. The atmosphere is always friendly and chatty and you will regularly end up in a conversation with people on adjacent tables or individuals at the bar.

My dining partner and I weren´t extremely hungry last night but we chose four tapas which were quite rich and filling. We had the obligatory bread with alioli and also some butter and I opted for the usual house white wine by the glass which Sylvia periodically tops up at my request. I was extremely pleased to see Carlos´ fairly new dish of Rucola Salad with Smoked Salmon (he also serves it with bacon and boiled egg). The salmon is served in small lumps rather than slices and it is served with the rucola in a light vinaigrette.

We also chose the Vueltas Solomillo (this is always on the menu as it is so popular) which are slices of the tenderest steak cooked rare and served with a parsley herb butter. Luckily, we both like our steak rare but I´m sure Carlos would cook it to your liking if you go for the more well done or cremated variety. This was followed by Pimiento Relleno Ternera which is a large pepper stuffed with minced beef and onions and then a Brocheta Cordero (a kebab of, yet again, extremely tender lamb). There was also a mixed kebab of chicken and chorizo and the often present Pollo Bleu which is a chicken fillet in a very rich blue cheese sauce served from under the grill. The La de Hoy (Dish of the Day) last night was a fish fillet in a pernod and garlic sauce which took my fancy. This would have been dish number 5 if we were still peckish but the meat dishes beat us.

I asked Sylvia for the bill and she returned with this and, shame on her, a substantial helping of my favourite Manchego cheese and a glass of port on the house (she knows how to fulfil my gastronomic indulgences).

You can never get bored with eating here as you are guaranteed to sample new dishes every time you visit. Just so long as Carlos´s inspiration continues (and it shows no signs of waning) you can come here for a constantly changing and challenging menu