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El Patio de Lajares This is not the first time this restaurant has been reviewed on Fuertenews, but as I had visitors over, I decided to try it for myself. El Patio de Lajares is a lovely country house located on the road to the right just past Inpescasa in Lajares As you drive in through the gates you feel you are being transported into a different world. This feeling continues as you enter a lovely enclosed courtyard decorated with plants. To the right is the restaurant, which is furnished with oil paintings and antiques including a dresser filled with silverware. The soft furnishings are voluptuously rich with billowing pink satin-like curtains and the table cloths hang to the ground! The tables are decorated with candles, flower petals and dried fruits and the whole atmosphere was set off by the gentle classical music they were playing.
We were greeted by Hanna who owns the restaurant together with Rainer, the chef. She has her own style in dealing with customers, which I found endearing, but which may take some people by surprise. When she seated us she "suggested" we have ice cold Cava to start with, I suppose we could have diagreed, but there didn't seem to be an opening for this. As it turned out, she was perfectly correct. It was a delicious way to get the juices flowing, especially as it came accompanied by a tapas of local goats cheese topped with palm honey. There is an a la carte menu which has such delicacies as foie gras as you would expect from a chef who had his own Michelin 2 star restaurant back in Germany. There is also a set menu (for Euros 32) consisting of three courses. We all opted for this as in places like this I like the chef to take the lead. Before we even got to the starter we were served with freshly baked bread accompanied by the most delicious herb butter I have ever tasted. When we asked rainier what was in it, he told us there were 10 ingredients, the most important being cognac and salt! Then the starters arrived. I had chosen marinated salmon, served on a potato crepe. This was just perfect, with a hint of herbs and spices and it left a gentle wisp of ginger in my mouth.
Both of my dining companions chose the potato crepe stuffed with goat's cheese and topped with a fig mustard. From the contented sighs this more than lived up to their expectations. I tried a bit of the fig mustard and it was lovely, sweet with a hint of piquancy.
We accompanied these treats with a lovely bottle of Spanish sauvignon blanc which was very reasonably priced at 13e. The wine menu itself is extensive, but has a good variety to suit every pocket and occasion. We were so impressed with our choice, that we sought it out in the supermarket the next day and bought a couple of bottles to take round to friends. We had each chosen a different main course. I hoped to be able to taste each of them, but my friends were not going to share as they each enjoyed theirs so much! I had the rabbit, stuffed with a herby mixture of vegetables in a piquant sauce that went with it beautifully. Joanne chose the salmon in a cep mushroom sauce which brought a smile to her face.
Clare opted for the filet steak in a creamy mushroom sauce. This steak must have been well over two inches thick, and she didn't even need a steak knife to cut it, as it was so tender. I just about managed to get a photo before the whole thing disappeared!
We finished our meal with a lovely combination of fresh strawberries, vanilla cream and chocolate mousse - all my favourite things! Hanna does allow smoking in the restaurant, but she thoughtfully checked with all the other diners first. However, the lounging areas in the courtyard and the conservatory, certainly don't make you feel like you are being exiled. We took our coffee and very generous brandies and sat in the courtyard to bring a gentle conclusion to what had been an absolutely superb meal. Considering the quality of the food and the surroundings, the prices at El Patio are very reasonable. As with any set menu meal, if you enjoy wine and brandies with your meal, expect to around double that on the final bill. El Patio de Lajares is also a country hotel and during the evening, Hanna showed us one of them. Each has its own private outlook and there is a lovely pool as well. If you are celebrating something special such as an anniversary, this would be a perfect venue. I would highly recommend a visit to this restaurant for a truly gastronomic treat within a luxurious atmosphere. Booking is essential - +34650134030. The restaurant is open Wednesdays to Sundays. Corinne Sellens |
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