Old Church Napier, North Island, New Zealand

Old Church Napier

A fantastic setting, but in the beautifully lit garden with flame next to the car park we first heard the music that spoilt our evening.

A converted church with great atmosphere and pretensions to be truly great. The chef Francky Godinho was, so local reviews say, NZ Chef of the Year 2007 and Hawke's Bay chef of the year 2008. So expectations were very high - enhanced by the setting. 

Our niggles were that we were not acknowledged immediately on entering the restaurant, the music was too loud and totally inappropriate in a restaurant of this type, and that the duck leg ($30) was overcooked, although the breast was fine.

On the plus side the 3 oyster shot at $12 and the venison steak at $36 were good. We enjoyed a glass of Bilancia Viognier at $13 and a bottle of Alpha Domus Navigator $48.

Overall could be good with a little more attention to detail and a better soundtrack!

Date of Visit: 23-Nov-2008

El Chinitas, Málaga,España

El Chinitas is an old friend in the heart of Málaga, just by the cathedral and tucked away behind the bishop's palace. In fact this was my 12th visit. The ground floor dining room is decorated with typically Andalucian paintings including one presumes some of the family. Service is attentive from experienced staff. Fish is our favourite here. Lenguado was 17€, and a bottle of Antonio Barbadillo Castillo de San Diego from Cadiz was very reasonably priced.

Date of Visit: 13-Nov-2009

Gourmetour: 6.5

Michelin: not listed

Website: http://www.elchinitas.com/

Rex Whistler Restaurant at Tate Britain, London, UK

The Rex Whistler Restaurant is a gem that can easily be combined with a visit to admire the art at Tate Britain. Indeed you can admire the art from inside the restaurant as Whistler painted the walls. It was my seventh visit as the food and the wine list in particular have been consistently excellent. We had booked in advance for a party of four between Christmas and New Year; just as well as the restaurant was full. That was the problem this time as service did not seem to be as prompt as on previous visits.

The parsnip soup (£5.80) was given full marks by all of us. The pheasant stew (£15.55) was also well appreciated. Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2003 (£29) complemented the stew well but we had to ask for it to be decanted.

Date of Visit: 30-Dec-2008

Good Food Guide: 3

Michelin: 2 Forks No Stars
Website: http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/eatanddrink/restaurant.htm

La Mesa Redonda, Jerez, España

Found this restaurant in Gourmetour (rating 6.5/10). Quite difficult to locate- it is in an apartment block between the Riding School and the Bull Ring with access from the gated car park. Booked in four for lunch after the horse show on Thursday 22 January.Charmingly decorated dining room almost in English club style. Permits smoking, but we were not bothered until the end of the meal. Service excellent. Menus in English and Spanish differed in prices! Prices including wine list very reasonable. There was a menu del dia "for the crisis" at 20€ but we opted for a la carte. Albondiguillas Marineras (fish and seafood balls) al vino Fino 11.50€ and Canapes Calientes de Gambas al Curry (curried prawns) 7€ were both excellent starters. Tosta de vieriras (scallops) gratinada 10.50€ and Codillo de cerdo con salsa de ciruelas (pork knuckle with cherry sauce) 13€ were equally good. Antonio Barbadillo Castillo de San Diego local white wine (palomino grape from Sanlucar) 8.50€ accompanied the meal. The chef came out after we ate to check all was OK. That was a nice touch and we can thoroughly recommend La Mesa Redonda

Date of Visit: 22-Jan-2009

Gormetour 6.5

Michelin: not listed

Mesón La Salina, Fuengirola,Málaga,España

As we drove by Mesón La Salina on a Saturday evening a waiter on the steps helpfully suggested a nearby parking spot. There are several eating areas. In ours were three other tables of English expats and three tables of Spanish families. Service was excellent. Portions were large- although we opted for a simple soup and meatballs. Dishes we saw on other tables looked attractive and everybody seemed happy with their meals. We ordered house red by the glass- it turned out to be a very acceptable Rioja Marqués de Vitoria. The bill for our modest meal was 52€ for two although other tables were spending more. It was my second visit and I shall definitely be going back.

Date of Visit: 14-Nov-2009

Gourmetour: not listed

Michelin: not listed