La Bodeguita de Enfrente - a charming Canarian restaurant

la bodeguita de enfrente

On a stretch of the main road running parallel with the TF-5 motorway, connecting La Orotava and Santa Ursula, there are three separate Canarian restaurants, all owned and run by the same family.

We have Donde Mario which is run by the father, then, a little further down the road, El Calderito de La Abuela ("grandmother's little kettle!") and, situated directly opposite, the subject of this page.

When you consider that its name, translated, means "the little cellar opposite", it makes sense. La Bodeguita consists of a small collection of basic Canarian houses that have been knocked together. The interior has been refurbished to create a very homely atmosphere, with low ceilings and exposed beams. Indeed, it is remeniscent of an old English country pub.

There is a central bar area, from which a selection of intimate rooms can be found.

It started life as a storage place for the restaurant opposite, but was converted to its current incarnation in 1997, being initially run by father, Mario. These days, it is managed by his two sons, Fabian and Mario (who, incidentally, speak excellent English).

la bodeguita de enfrente

The charming interior is complimented by the excellence of the food. The restaurant favours a culinary concept of which you may not be aware: picoteo.

Literally meaning "picking food" - as in "food to pick at", it could be thought of as bridging the gap between tapas and full-blown meals.

All food is fresh and, for such things as vegetables, they grow their own in an allotment.

Olive oil is used exclusively for cooking and dishes include such things as fried goat's cheese with three different sauces, parrillada (Canarian steak and chips) and that inimitable Canarian dish, ropa vieja. For dessert, you can choose the three-dish taster, which consists of "three milk cake" (featuring normal, condensed and evaporated milk), home made tiramisu and lemon and spearmint sorbet.

As regards wine, the restaurant actually produces its own. The resulting house wine is very palatable indeed.

If you're in the area, try this restaurant. You're guaranteed a very friendly welcome and a superb dining experience - at reasonable prices.

For reservations, telephone (+34) 922 302760

Here's how to find it. Exit the TF-5 motorway at junction 31. You need to get onto the road signed Cuesta de La Villa. Follow this till you arrive at a junction, where you should turn right.

Stay on this road (TF-217), which takes you through the village. After you leave it, you'll eventually see a main road branching off to the left (TF-21). Shortly after this, you'll come to La Bodeguita on your left. Its sister restaurant opposite has a large car park, which you can use.

la bodeguita de enfrente

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