Resto no.95 : Gusto, Frigiliana

I just realised I deleted the food photos of this restaurant. But no matter, because at least one of our dishes was pretty disgusting, and I only took a photo to show how gross it was. Maybe that was being cruel, so the photos have erased themselves. Anyway, I attach a photo of the view, which somehow did not get deleted. Lucky, as it is the best thing about this place!

We went there at the end of a long day at the beach in July. We even booked (needn't have bothered as it was empty which we found strange but it became clearer why). At the time of visiting it was rated the 2nd best restaurant in Frigiliana. Now just three months later it is ranked 7th. Fake reviews anyone?

I ordered one of the 'craft beers' that most of the good reviews were going on about, but I found the taste pretty unpalatable. Nevertheless it had a bit of a kick to it, so all was not lost. Maybe after 5 or 6 they start to taste good!

If you look at the website of this place, you get the impression that the food is going to be decent. At least I have to give them 5/5 for marketing.

However when you get there, you realise it is nothing but a slightly glorified cafe. Their chairs and tables are typically found in cafes. The table cloth or place mats (I can't remember) were paper which Keira could destroy in 2 minutes flat. Literally the only good thing about this place is the view across to the other side of the village which looks nice at sunset. The waitresses (I think they are the wives of the owners) were friendly enough, although I get the feeling they drink the 'profits' at the end of the day.

By the way, it is hard to understand why Frigiliana doesn't appear to have any good restaurants. The town seems a bit faded to me, as if it's seen better days. Whitewash flaking off the buildings an abandoned feel particularly around dusk. But it's still beautiful and seems to have plenty of visitors. Nerja is just a few minutes drive away.

The food I will mention in passing. I had the chicken burger which was average. It kind of fell apart which always annoys me. A burger (if handled properly) should maintain its form until the last bite! My partner had " Slow cooked lamb shank in a rosemary and mint gravy served with mashed potato and seasonal vegetables." Sounds tempting, but I just feel ill thinking back now how it looked. The whole dish was grey. The meat was grey (no way it had just been cooked - I suspect it was left over from the day before - as we're the vegetables which had zero life in them). The mashed potato was dry (and grey). Having said that I have never had good mashed potato in a restaurant. It is better cooked and eaten at home.

A place to avoid. Food 1/5. Ambience 2/5. Facilities 2/5. Service 3/5.