We asked the concierge at our hotel for a seafood restaurant recommendation and he steered us to Restaurant Manolo. The restaurant is located in the seaside neighborhood of El Serrallo amidst several other seafood spots. The waiters in bow ties (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=x54MvAQc7xUGsq6Fkp8cEQ) contrasted with the kids running around in the bar area near the entrance way.
I asked the waiter what I should order and he recommended the Romescada (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=SRMiVG2wNPwqXgEPXCxEOw), a romesco sauce based seafood stew. Romesco sauce originated in Tarragona so I went with it. The g/f ordered the Lenguado (Sole http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=E6eZRfgrhQCDhCpCgM-fiw) and we started with Baby Artichokes with Shrimp (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=rTHR1fcPJl5RGWCqU6RsLA) and Steamed Mussels (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=ywN8PlIxaMIl724DppxleA).
The service was very attentive, perhaps because we came early and were, for awhile, the only patrons. The waiters made a little show of first bringing out the main dishes (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=Pe4UuYLUihPZUv4XiOI0oA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=ZiP25i6hAH8-YYf1kQrRdw) and then replating my stew (which I didn't understand http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=x54MvAQc7xUGsq6Fkp8cEQ) and deboning the g/f's fish (which I thought was very thoughtful & more helpful than my stew re-plate http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/urmOTY9r_C9YLU-oIFC9ug?select=ZagBGrg19dG2g8ZsPje0hQ)
The dishes were all pretty large portions (didn't finish the appetizers) and everything was very well prepared. The Romescada reminded me of San Francisco Cioppino with it's seafood variety and had clams, mussels, and shrimp along with several types of fish. It's red/orange color is more from peppers than tomato and had a nice nutty flavor. The g/f's sole was also nicely cooked and seasoned.
A bit on the pricey side with entrees in the mid-20 to 30 Euro range, but we thought it was worth it for what we ate. read more