Chic Cuisine on the Coast Chic Cuisine on the Coast
Words by Sam Jones 01/11/2007
Chic cuisine on the Coast
SAM JONES TAKES A GASTRONOMIC TOUR OF TOP LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS OFFERING EXCELLENT CUISINE, FINE WINES AND A WARM WELCOME THE NEW PAPARAZZI LOUNGE Superb food in stylish setting The New Paparazzi Lounge in the sought-after Aloha area of Nueva Andalucía opened just three months ago but is already making quite a name for its fine home-made cuisine prepared by head chef Adrian and his team using only the freshest ingredients and produce. The extensive menu includes all sorts of delicious dishes from sandwiches, appetisers and combination platters to share to succulent steaks and prime burgers from the grill; while specials and the “Paparazzi Favourites” are also going down extremely well − the beer battered fish and chips is an absolute must. The breakfast menu – including a classic full English, or healthy and vegetarian options – is considered one of the best in town; while the Sunday roast is attracting customers from miles. The fantastic Sunday lunch menu (which is served from 1pm until late) includes a mouth-watering choice of starters – home-made pate, creamy garlic mushrooms, or freshly made soup served with chunky bread – followed by whole shoulder of lamb, cuts of prime beef, loin of pork, half a roast chicken or fish dish, each served with all the trimmings. But it’s not just the superb food which keeps people coming back to Paparazzi time and time again. As well as the selection of fine wines and champagne, a team of the Coast’s finest bar-tenders are a dab hand when it comes to making cocktails. Classics such as cosmopolitans, mojitos and mai-tais, or champagne cocktails using Moet & Chandon (rather than the common substitute of cava) can be enjoyed night or day and are becoming popular choices for business functions and private parties. A competitive Christmas party menu for group bookings and a sumptuous five-course menu with entertainment line-up for Christmas Day are also on offer. With so much to offer, there really is something for everyone at Paparazzi: excellent food and drink for all the family, friendly service, stylish décor and a relaxed inviting atmosphere, surround sound and plasma screens showing live sporting events, free parking and wi-fi access.
■ The New Paparazzi LoungeAloha, Nueva AndalucíaTel. 952 907 841 PRADO 23 RESTAURANT & PIANO BARCreative cuisine and live music In addition to an impressive menu, Nueva Andalucía restaurant Prado 23 is now hosting a mix of jazz, blues, rock ’n’ roll and music from the ‘60s to ‘80s three evenings a week so diners can now savour the restaurant’s creative cuisine before whiling away the evening with cocktails and a selection of drinks in the stylish lounge setting. With plans to convert the spacious terrace, which casts stunning views across Golf Valley, into a cosy winter setting with glass curtains and an authentic log fire, Prado 23 makes an attractive venue all year around and a good choice for group bookings, Christmas and New Year parties. The menu includes a list of tempting starters such as warm glazed chicken liver with apples and spring onions; crispy duck salad with mango and coriander in soy lime vinaigrette; and truffled eggs Benedict with asparagus and bacon. These are served alongside a choice of beautifully presented main dishes including pumpkin ravioli; porcini mushroom or seafood risotto; fresh fish dishes including grilled sea bream in a mustard lemon butter sauce and New Orleans jumbo prawns; and delicious meat dishes including a crispy duck confit with potatoes, pears and asparagus, juicy rack of lamb and chateaubriand served with red wine or pepper sauce and hand-cut chips.
■ Prado 23 Restaurant & Piano BarAvda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía Tel. 952 908 049 www.prado23.com ROOM DINING & LIVINGChic décor in inviting surroundings Room is Marbella’s latest venue offering a cosmopolitan dining and lounge experience on par with anything you’d expect to find in London, Barcelona or New York. The innovative venue is the creation of the Arlycke family, who originally launched ultra-cool Banús restaurant Pravda as well as owning Room’s adjoining eatery, the popular Wok Away. Several years on, they have come up with the concept of a restaurant which combines chic décor and an inviting atmosphere, where clients can simply enjoy cocktails and drinks, or a choice of beautifully presented food, and a great blend of music – the live DJ who plays anything from ‘80s and Motown to lounge and funky house (Thursday-Saturday until late) is not to be missed. As the name suggests, the design is based around the atmosphere of different rooms which fuse eclectic design and stunning features in an unusual combination which is inviting yet chic. There are three dining areas (a richly-coloured elegant dining room, the disco corner − very kitsch and enticing − and a stylish main restaurant area) and three very different living areas with lush sofas which invite you to sink into them for the evening with a glass of wine in front of the log fire. The beauty of Room is that you can enjoy both dinner and drinks in any one of these individual areas, making this the perfectly comfortable place to enjoy winter evenings, nights out with friends, group bookings and Christmas parties. The menu, which is creatively compiled by head chef Dennis Wellefors, who also hails from Pravda, combines the well-priced “Always at Room” section (which includes classic international dishes which clients can enjoy time and time again) with the full
a la carte (which changes four times each year and uses the finest seasonal produce). “Always at Room” offers all-time favourites such as toast skagen with dill and lemon, delicious beef stroganoff, “mezze” style nibbles and fresh pastas; while the more extensive
a la carte includes delectable dishes such as foie gras terrine with sauternes jelly and balsamic syrup; sea bass sashimi with coriander, lime and chilli; and seared scallops served with watermelon avocado and pomegranate. The main courses are equally as tempting, and include duck served with roast new potato, snow peas and red wine sauce; pan-fried cod with mustard sautéed cabbage and bacon; and salmon with crisp fennel, baby spinach, leek, potato mash and
beurre blanc citrus sauce. Desserts are a must and make a refreshing end to the meal, with flambéed vodka with raspberries or warm rhubarb cappuccino with cinnamon and ice cream.
■ Room Dining & LivingCalle Jesús Puente, 9Puerto BanúsTel. 952 907 140www.roommarbella.com (Shutterstock)
GARUM RESTAURANT CAFÉ BARCHEESECAKE EXTRAVAGANZA IN MARBELLAPopular Marbella eatery Garum has come up with yet another appetising treat for diners: a “Cheesecake Special” from 7 to 18 November. After much “begging” from customers (and an equal measure of “threatening” from Garum’s dynamic duo, Timo and Marcel), the restaurant is going all the way with a non-stop cheesecake menu from morning till late: cheesecake starters, baked cheesecakes, cream cheesecakes, cheesecake drink – and “anything else they can think of”.
■ Garum Restaurant Café BarPaseo Marítimo, MarbellaTel. 952 858 858www.garummarbella.com FUSION RESTAURANT & LOUNGEThe ideal setting for business and festive celebrations The name just about says it all. Fusion not only offers a diverse and highly creative blend of cuisine, from traditional to contemporary, but also a choice of special menus to suit all tastes and budgets for the upcoming festive season. Located in a convenient setting (for parking) just outside Marbella in El Rosario, the stylish restaurant and cocktail lounge offers bar tapas and sushi menu, as well as a special three-course Sunday lunch menu (€22) and a new winter menu from this month (November).Fusion has also become a popular choice for company lunches and dinners, especially during the festive season (we at H! can certainly attest to that, having enjoyed an exceptional Christmas lunch last year). A business Christmas menu (including wine) is available for €35; while the New Year’s Eve menu, for €90, includes a four-course dinner and welcome cocktail (though wine is not included).
■ Fusion Restaurant & LoungeUrb. Las Chapas (El Rosario) Tel. 952 839 910www.fusion.es
