Resto no.99 : Tapavino, Calahonda

The second restaurant on the list. Back to a kind of old haunt for me. I used to own (and even lived in for a while) an apartment directly above this restaurant until just a couple of years ago! I had no idea this place would be in the top 100. Quite a surprise really as I have generally found restos in Calahonda to be a bit disappointing.

Anyway, this place used to be a sports bar called Los Rumbos which my good friend Sarah can testify to as she frequented it of an evening.

Recently while we were renovating the apartment just before we sold it, my partner in crime accidentally flooded the restaurant from above! Our utlility room was directly above their roof. If anyone from Tapavino ever reads the blog, then we are sorry about that!

Anyway onto the restaurant, which apparently has recently changed ownership, yet the menu remained unchanged. We waited quite a while to be attended to which always gets my goat a bit. But the service after that was personal and attentive and prompt. Overall 8/10.

By the way, I just realised nobody tested the toilets!! It's an old building, so they are probably poop. Just kidding!

We ordered the 6 course tapas tasting menu which, at 39 euros per head including drinks, I thought very good value and quite frankly seems the best way of sampling the fare on offer.

Among the six courses, we had Duck Pate with toast and a kind of marmalade. I really liked the combination of flavours.

There was a cod and pancetta fish cake which was light and tasty. The first half of the menu was served with white wines, and the second half with red. Getting bolder as the menu progressed. My favourite was a Ribera del Duero (pictured) which had a rather curious label.

Other courses included chorizo and goat cheese stuffed mushrooms (small but delicious) and 'Bangers and Mash' , an entirely British dish of Cumberland sausage and mashed potato. A surprising choice to put on a tasting menu, but it kind of worked.

Overall I give the food 8/10 and I would definitely return! A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had, and my baby Keira was well behaved as usual , making new friends again.

The restaurant was almost full outside, empty inside as is normal for the time of year. Ambience quiet and relaxed. Plenty of food and wine lovers here behaving well!