Restaurant Review - Khala Restaurante
Contemporary elegance Khala Restaurante
Associated with a forward thinking approach to quality, service and design, the NH group has developed into one of the most recognised hotel chains in the world. A visit to the Khala restaurant at the NH Alanda on Marbella’s Golden Mile is all the evidence you need of this winning formula.
The contemporary yet elegant design of the restaurant works perfectly with the chic and modern hotel in general. The name "Khala" is a play on words of the Spanish translation for a small idyllic "cove", and the soft décor and unusual "beach" theme are refreshingly different. The spacious layout and fresh colours blend effortlessly with the cosmopolitan furnishings and finishing touches.
Khala’s menu is another reflection of the NH ethos – a careful combination of innovative ideas and traditional influences. Having trained at the prestigious Bulli Hotel under world-class chef Ferran Adría, Khala’s head chef Vanessa Merino projects the creative techniques and concepts of the esteemed Bulli. Each dish is beautifully thought out with a clean presentation and clever combination of Catalan influences and Andalucían flavours – all in all, an attractive blend of exquisitely presented, mouth-watering dishes with an affordable price tag, particularly for a five-star hotel.
Classics from the current winter menu include crispy oven-fried eggs served on spiced toast with sauté asparagus, mushrooms and foie sauce (a melt-in-the-mouth starter with a delicate sweet flavour); a light John Dory fillet with black risotto and baby squid with onions; warming ox sirloin served with mille-feuille of sweet potatoes and mashed chestnuts and truffle oil; and classic Andalucían pestiños (honey-coated fritter) with honey ice-cream for dessert. The seasonal menu is selective, ensuring the finest seasonal produce, carefully chosen from the daily market.During winter, the restaurant is open to both residents and non-residents of the hotel during the evening, but is flexible and can arrange special corporate lunch menus for companies using the hotel for business meetings or presentations (it’s worth noting that the NH Alanda has excellent conferencing facilities for functions of varying sizes).
Special occasions such as weddings and christenings can also be catered for, and Khala’s large adjoining summer terrace (romantically candlelit during summer evenings) is the ideal space for outdoor functions or a welcome pre-dinner drink. Another initiative are special packages designed between the restaurant and hotel such as one for Valentine’s which includes a night’s stay in the luxury hotel, access to the spa with beauty treatment; and a romantic meal at Khala.
