Recommended to me by some of the staff at my hotel. They said it's where they order from and where…read morethey have their holiday events at. I was in. They made a reservation for me that night at 19:00, I went to the wrong place, called the hotel and asked where I went wrong, they helped me and called the restaurant and saved a spot for me at 19:30. Good thing I was still close by. The place filled up at 19:30, but opens at 19:00 in case you want to try and get a walk in spot.
Got in, parking was easy and was greeted by the staff right away. Table for one, up in the bar area, nice place, nice ambience. Drink ordered; large Sagres and still water. Now, on to the menu. I cheated a little during my talks with the staff to find out their favorites. I chopped it up with the wait staff here as well and got some of their favorites. A couple of cross overs so I picked those; garlic butter shrimp and a mixed green salad to start. It's Europe so no need to rush the entire order up front. It's a marathon, not a sprint here.
Shrimp were delicious. Super fresh and tender, good amounts of garlic and bathing in butter. Box checked. Salad was fresh mixed greens with cilantro, carrots and onions in a very tasty light vinaigrette. Some can be overpowering, but this was nice and light. The accoutrements with the drinks included fresh baked bread assortment of sourdough, cracked wheat and more butter (is there ever enough?), olive assortment of black, green and brownish green in olive oil marinade and a fun bar mixed nuts of peanuts, corn nuts and I want to say Beer Nuts, but I could be wrong on the third one. Good with my beer.
Next up, I was debating on the main course. I saw razor clams, which I've had in Spain before and loved, but it was in a risotto. I thought I would ask if I could get an order of just the razor clams, but didn't want to be a pain for the staff. The happily accommodated the request. Razor clams came out in white wine, butter and garlic with saffron. Nice touch! The combo was excellent. Afterwards, my now new friend who just happened to be serving me food too, told me the razor clams are also local from the area to our southwest. Double score! The razors are sweet and tender if you've never had them, unlike clams you normally get that taste, well, clammy.
Dessert was a good 12 year old whisky with a rock and we had fun trying to find the right one for the night cap. We decided the Glenroth was the right one for the job.
I came back the next night to try what I went there for originally which was the Iberian filet mignon. I started this night out with the crab bisque with puff pastry top (OMG), another salad and then the main. Night cap same as previous night, but did take back chocolate mousse to the hotel. That was also very good, but I really enjoyed the prior night. Don't get me wrong, both nights the food was amazing, but those razor clams... man.
Did I mention all this was around €50 all in. The drinks alone at the hotel would've cost me that (I know because I did the research - tough job I know lol). Also, they're closed on Mondays (a lot of places are here), just so you know and the graciously told me the second night there. When I'm back in country, I'll stop by and visit my friends at Tribeca. You should too!
