"I came for tapas, I left engaged to a prawn"
Let me start…read moreby saying: Cañete does not serve food. Cañete serves emotional experiences with a side of jamón.
I walked in expecting a nice quiet dinner. I left having made direct eye contact with a "Red Prawn" that the menu literally WARNS you about ("Watch out for the red prawn that gets in at eight"). Sir, I did not come here to be threatened by seafood. And yet -- worth every one of the 31,85€ per 100 grams. That prawn has more main character energy than most Netflix leads.
The waiter recommended the Hand Cut Bellota Ham (1 portion, 32,40€), and I want to be clear: I did not order ham, I entered a relationship. Slow-cut, deeply personal, mildly judgmental of my previous life choices before I met it.
We also tried the "Callos" Tripe with chickpeas, which my husband described as "what if a Sunday afternoon nap had a flavor." 10/10, would nap-eat again.
Do NOT sleep on the Lobster Croquette with their "secret ingredient." I asked the waiter what the secret ingredient was and he just smiled the way men in Barcelona smile when they know something about jamón that you don't.
The desserts menu is written entirely IN CAPS LOCK, presumably because the Cuban Chocolate Stick with Salt (8,85€) needs to be SHOUTED, not spoken. Respect.
Only complaint: the Steamed Cockles with Citrus are 25,55€, which is a bold financial decision for a shellfish, but honestly at this point I trust Cañete's pricing more than my own bank.
Would I go back? I already have a standing reservation with the Red Prawn for next Tuesday at eight. He knows what he did.
Five stars. Bring stretchy pants and low expectations for your wallet.