Restaurante El Duende Puerto de La Cruz - gourmet Canarian dining

restaurante el duende puerto de la cruz

If you want a meal of traditional Canarian cuisine, but raised to gourmet standard, then El Duende is one worth trying.

Situated way out of town and difficult to spot if you don't know it's there, it has been described on numerous websites as having a misleading outward appearance.

Indeed, this ordinary-looking building doesn't prepare you for what you find when you enter. The dining room has the feel of a five-star restaurant, with rich, burgundy coloured walls with velvet drapes and darkwood furniture, contrasting with the pristine table settings - sparkling crystalware, gleaming cultery, resting on crisp, white linen.

The room itself is quite compact, not accommodating that many diners. The tables are well spaced out, however, making for a cosy environment, rather than a claustrophibic one.

Although I said earlier that this restaurant offers traditional Canarian cuisine, chef Jesus Gonzalez and pastry chef Pedro Rodriguez have both added unique elements to their dishes to elevate them into something extra special. Introduction of new flavour combinations, unusual takes on Canarian favourites, plus gourmet-standard presentation, make for a memorable dining experience.

You can begin with a basket of five different breads, all freshly baked. An appetiser is offered of olives in a tomato jelly.

To give you an idea of the unique concepts of this restaurant's dishes, the menu features such things as avocado with Canarian cheese, shrimp, with a fig compote; salad of octopus including almonds, peppers and mojo toast; Iberian pork with puree of chick peas with die-cut potatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and green mojo; baked fish with tomato vinaigrette, oregano and capers.

As there is a resident pastry chef of some skill, the restaurant is known for its desserts. How about the combination of tangerine, white chocolate and liquorice?

The restaurant also boasts an excellent wine cellar with a sommelier on call to help you with your choice.

All in all, a professionally run, yet friendly, place to eat. You may find prices to be somewhat higher than other restaurants, making El Duende the ideal place to visit as a special treat, when you fancy splashing the cash.

For reservations, telephone (+34) 922 374517

To find this restaurant is reasonably simple. You exit the TF-5 north motorway at junction 39, following the signs for La Vera.

After a while on this road, you'll see a large building on the left with a sign saying "Arepera La Carajita". Shortly after this, watch out for, on the right, a green statue of something that looks like a goblin ("duende" means "goblin" in Spanish). There's parking space there. The restaurant is just above.

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