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Read reviews of other restaurants on the island |
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LA PUNTILLA This restaurant is located where the old Pancho Villa used to be - I wonder what happened to the old horse and trap that used to be outside? It has now been transformed into a traditional Spanish eatery. As it is opposite one of the most popular Spanish hangouts in town - the Avenida, you would think it would be sunk before it started, but in many ways it has something different to offer. First, the place is very light and airy with whitewashed walls and tradional pine tables and chairs. This contrasts with, but compliments well with the somewhat surprising modern artwork on the walls, and achieves an ambience of a mixture of modernity and history. Also, important for me anyway, you can smoke inside. The waiters were smartly dressed and attentive, all of this making me think that this was going to be a pricey excursion, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The menu was varied and starters averaged around 4.00. I was dining with two of my quiz buffs, Penny and Mike, and Penny chose the avocado and prawns. She was initially disappointed by the presence of a sauce with this, although, as you can see she couldn't fault the presentation. However, on trying it, she found this delicate and nowhere near the usual mayonnaise and tomato ketchup mix.
Mike went for the fish croquettes. I have been put off these by trying them in other places and inevitably they are dry and often tasteless. However, I did manage to sample them before they disappeared and they were the best I have found in town - moist and a lovely combination of flavours.
My choice was the pulpo Galician style, which turned out to be on top of slices of Canarian potatoes and garnished with hot paprika. It again, was excellent, and very filling!
Well contented with the starters we moved onto the main course. Mike and I had opted to share a mixed fish plate. It arrived with a decent helping of tuna, swordfish, prawns and mussels and although a little dry, a liberal dose of the very tasty alioli helped to turn it into a lovely meal.
Penny had gone for the fresh fish of the day. Again I managed to pinch some of this and it was perfectly cooked, moist and delicate in flavour.
Most of the main courses are under 8.00e. We had chosen some of the more expensive ones, with Penny's fresh fish at 13e and our platter at 11.00. This means that our platter was obviously frozen fish, in which case, why was it for a minimum of 2 people? I can understand this when whole fresh fish are involved, but in this case, it didn't make sense. The dessert menu isn;t extensive, but does have some different options on it from other places, such as strawberries and cream and fresh papaya. We washed the meal down with the house white wine - a couple of bottles! - which was fresh and light, a perfect accompaniment to our meal. At the end of the meal we were pleasantly surprised by both the bill and the free shot - which was a full glass of very nice brandy! Overall this restaurant is well worth trying, the prices are extremely reasonable and the food very good quality. You can find La Puntilla at 16 Calle General Primera, - the road that leads from Hiperdino to the port road. Tel: 928 53 50 14. It is open from 1pm - 4pm for lunch and from 6pm to 11.30pm for dinner. It is closed on Wednesdays. Corinne Sellens |
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