Fine Dining Chef Ruben Cabrera at Gourmet Restaurant La Cupula, Tenerife

Ruben Cabrera,  Head Chef  at the gourmet restaurant La Cupula on Tenerife, has won the ‘Best Chef in the Canary Islands’ award. Cabrera’s passion for gastronomic excellence in fine dining, which you can experience at Hotel Jardines de Nivaria, earned him the title of ‘Best Chef’  at the regional  ¡Qué Bueno! Canarias Heineken  gastronomy awards.

Chef Ruben Cabrera
Chef Ruben Cabrera

La  Cupula, located in the five-star Hotel Jardines de Nivaria, has become a must-do dining experience for all foodies and fine-diners on the island of Tenerife. Cabrera’s innovation and passion for gastronomy excellence keeps winning him awards.

As well as being the chosen  chef  to represent the Canary Islands in last month’s Madridfusion Gastronomy Summit, he has had an impressive culinary career so far. Cabrera won the ‘Best Chef’ award at the National Gastronomy Contest for the second year in a row in 2016 and he also won the first prize at the International Creative Cuisine Competition ‘Gamba Roja de Denia’ in 2015.

 

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Cabrera, Head Chef at La Cúpula since 2007,  conjures up his delicious dishes  on the fourth floor of Hotel Jardines de Nivaria. An eclectic mix of  fusion,  French and local Canarian cuisines. Not only does the chef have several awards under his belt but the restaurant  had a full refurbishment in 2016 and you can dine with floor-to-ceiling windows giving panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean.

The Hotel Jardines de Nivaria is part of the Adrian Hotels group  which has another two hotels on Tenerife:

5* Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel

4*Hotel Colón Guanahani

 

Tenerife calls!

 

 

Private, Gorgeous, Rustic and Romantic Holiday Home

If you are looking for a private and gorgeous rustic holiday home this is the place for you. Just three minutes walk to the nearest small, white Spanish village and only fifteen minutes from lovely beaches, this historical house oozes peace, calm and charm.

La Huerta del Angel

Privacy abounds at La Huerta del Angel which translates as the Orchard of the Angel. You can wander through the avocado orchard and, if ripe, pick your own avocados. This 250-year old Spanish cortijo is rustic, rural and absolutely charming.

La Huerta del Angel
La Huerta del Angel
La Huerta del Angel

Celebrate a family holiday or get together or just as a couple you’re sure to relax and enjoy the peace, quiet and history of this beautiful vacation rental. You’ll instantly feel at home in this house which oozes character.

La Huerta del Angel

Have a bbq on a huge plant-surrounded terrace, take a dip in the pool and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful countryside. It’s great for walking and cycling, chilling out or exploring this lovely corner of southern Spain and the history and gastronomy of the area.

La Huerta del Angel
La Huerta del Angel
La Huerta del Angel

There are five pretty bedrooms, some with their own fireplace, old wooden roof beams and lots of delicious details, the house can sleep 8 – 10 people.

La Huerta del Angel

Great decoration and attention to details reach every nook and cranny from the 3 bathrooms to the rustic kitchen.  If you like away-from-it-all that is exactly what you get. Away from boring, modern villas, noisy beach fronts to clean country air and idyllic peace.

La Huerta del Angel
La Huerta del Angel
La Huerta del Angel

To see more visit their website La Huerta del Angel.

Spanish Golf Courses Designed by Severiano Ballesteros

Alhaurin Golf, Spain
Alhaurin Golf, Spain

I’m probably showing my age here but when I was young my dad loved golf and played frequently. Severiano Ballesteros or Seve as he was usually called was a big name in world golf and I enjoyed watching him on TV when a big tournament was on.

Alicante Golf
Alicante Golf

As a child my dad took my brother and I on crazy golf and pitch and putt courses, the odd 9- hole one too, but I never had time or chance to learn properly or play on an 18-hole golf course. I’d love to one day. So when musing over which Spanish golf courses to write about, as there are so many, the Spanish Golf Courses designed by Severiano Ballesteros came to mind.

Los Arqueros Golf
Los Arqueros Golf

Here are  some of Spanish  courses by Severiano, he would probably have gone on to design many more had he not died at only 54 years old.

Real Novi Sancti Petri Golf
Real Novi Sancti Petri Golf

Severiano Ballesteros Designed Golf Courses in Spain

Alhaurin Golf Resort, Malaga

Alicante Golf Club, Costa Blanca

Los Arqueros  Golf & Country Club, Malaga

Real Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club, Cadiz

Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort, Valencia

Oliva Nova Golf
Oliva Nova Golf

As you can see some of the best golf courses in the most fabulous surroundings and designed my favourite player.

All photos @ each golf club.

Parador Hotel Routes Around Spain

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I expect you’ve heard of Parador hotels but did you know they also have suggested routes around Spain? There’s a huge range of itineraries taking in different Paradors throughout Spain mostly of three or seven nights but you can easily add more routes or just extra nights to your route or trip.

Santo Estevo Parador

My nearest one is the Parador de Santa Catalina in Jaen, a fabulous castle on a hill-style building with incredible views. Some Paradors are modern builds, others fabulous historical buildings.

Jaen Parador

Which route would you choose to go on? It’s hard I know and this isn’t all of them, but personally I’d choose the historical castles or monasteries which are not only gorgeous buildings but usually have beautiful far-reaching views too.

Chinchon Parador

Parador Hotel Routes

  • Palencia Mountains and Picos de Europa Route
  • Caceres, Monfragüe National Park and Jarandilla Route
  • Montserrat to the Aran Valley Route
  • Costa Blanca (White Coast) to Costa del Azahar (Blossom Coast) Route
  • Nasrid Route
  • Don Quixote Route
  • Gredos Natural Reserve and Monfragüe National Reserve Route
  • La Mancha wines and National Park of Las Tablas de Daimiel Route
  • St. Teresa Route
  • Almoravid and Almohad Route
  • Andalusi Legacy Route
  • Castle Route
  • Costa de la Luz Route
  • Galician Wine Route
  • Green Spain Route
  • Kingdom of Leon Route
  • Maestrazgo region Route
  • Mediterranean Route
  • Monastery Route
  • Mozarab Route
  • Portuguese St. James Way Route
  • Ribeira Sacra Route
  • Ribeira del Duero Wine Route
  • Pyranees Route
  • Rioja and Navarre Wine Route
  • Rueda and Toro Wine Route
  • Royal Sites Route
  • St. James Way Route
  • Southern Sun Route
  • El Cid Route
  •  Wine and Monastery Route

 

Caceres Route
Caceres Route

These routes were chosen to offer not only accommodation but activites in the surroundings too. What better way to visit Spain than having freedom to explore but a framework of what you should see in and around each town, city or Parador.

I would do them all if I had time, driving in Spain is easy, the roads, except in cities, quiet and there are always stunning views.

Top Ten Paradors

According to Trip Advisor the Top Ten Paradors in Spain are:

1. Parador de Santo Estevo, Ourense

2. Parador de Alcala de Henares, Madrid

3. Parador Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos, A Coruña

4. Parador de Cangas de Onis, Asturias

5. Parador de Plasencia, Caceres

6. Parador de Carmona, Seville

7. Parador de Oropesa, Toledo

8. Parador de Cadiz

9. Parador de Alcañiz, Teruel

10. Parador de Chinchon, Madrid

All photos are courtesy http://www.parador.es

Restaurante Patanegra 57 in Nerja

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On a recent visit to Nerja we had the pleasure of discovering a great restaurant that we may not have found otherwise, so thanks to Nerja Tourist Board our host and Patanegra 57 or should I say Sergio Paloma for our gastronomic treats.

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Sergio, a native of Nerja, worked under the famous Basque chef Martin Berasategui for a year or so. Berasategui is a holder of numerous Michelin Stars and Sergio hopes to follow in his footsteps bringing Michelin fame to his door and to the town of Nerja.

Sergio Paloma, Patanegra 57

You can find Patanegra 57 in one of the lovely back streets very near the famous Balcon de Europa jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea between lots of lovely little sandy coves.

Restaurant Patanegra 57

I not only love discovering great new restaurants but this one had another of my great likes, old tiles. Cement-made, hand-coloured tiles, the decadence of a former era decorate the bar and window sills in Patanegra 57.

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We ate at high tables near the bar, the back restaurant had another passion of mine – a vertical green wall which frequent customers and fellow diners also like.

Restaurante Patanegra 57, Nerja

We were served a selection of dishes from the very reasonable tapas menu and each one was very good indeed, from presentation to tasting to each plate very satisfyingly emptied.

My favourites were, even though all were excellent, the Octopus with Creamed Potatoes …

Restaurante Patenegra 57

… and the Oxtail Ravioli with Cauliflower Puree and  a Port Wine Sauce.

Oxtail Ravioli with Cauliflower Puree and a Port Wine Sauce.

And the finale was…..

… Semi-cold yoghurt with Crunchy Pistachios and Raspberries.

A fabulous range of plates, recommended and one to return to, hopefully more than once. If in Nerja……

I’d like to thank Sergio Paloma and Nerja Tourist Board for hosting us in December.

 

 

My Prettiest Hotel Breakfast of the Year

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I’m rather partial to hotel breakfasts – if they are done right. You’d be surprised how many aren’t. My experiences this year have been above average, that means not too many moans from me, ask hubby.

Read my post with just a little rant about the Importance of Hotel Breakfasts.

When it comes to presentation or prettiness I’m just as fussy. When towards the end of last year we visited Hotel Viento 10 in Cordoba and had our own table-laid mini buffet breakfast it started my Best Breakfast of the Year idea.

Last year the hands down winner was Hotel Viento 10, here’s the spread and the beginning of my ‘awards!’

Hotel Viento 10, Cordoba

This year has been a little more difficult. Not only the lay out but the array of delicacies made me go for a joint win….. Out of the thirteen or so hotels I stayed in this year the winners of ‘My  Prettiest Breakfast of the Year’ award are …. Hotel Los Castanos and Hotel La Gastrocasa.

…both for presentation, thought and variety.

Hotel Los Castaños
Hotel Los Castaños
Hotel La Gastocasa Breakfast
Hotel La Gastocasa Breakfast

Read my Hotel Viento 10 Review.

See Hotel Los Castaños in Cartajima, Malaga and Hotel La Gastrocasa in Gandia, Valencia on my  OnlySpain ~ Boutique Hotels site.