Monday, 8 June 2009

Innocent - Tasty Veg Pots

I need hardly say more than - buy one! They are delicious. I don't believe I've ever had an Innocent smoothie but evidently, reputation established, they have decided to diversify and with considerable success.

I ate Moroccan Squash Tagine; my partner Indian Daal Curry. Wonderful!. Recent retrograde steps in my staff restaurant may see these excellent and filling dishes appear in my meal pack.

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

L'Oriental - Estepona

One does not choose to eat in a hotel for economy but seeks it elsewhere so I was fairly pleased to find a selection of restaurants within striking distance of the Crowne Plaza, Estepona. Unfortunately at least some of these were characterised by the nearby Robin Hood which serves, amongst other things, Chicken Kiev and Sausage and Mash but where, apparently, "reservations are essential". Such dishes might be warming and welcome at home and may well be excellent in Estepona too but are they really what people leave their East Midlands mining cottages for when they head for the Costa del Sol?

L'Oriental, Lebanese Restaurant looked more promising and I am delighted to report it fulfilled its Middle Eastern promise. One of the joys of a mediterranean holiday is to be able to eat outdoors and the courtyard was a particularly pleasant place to do so. Tabouleh was excellently fresh although our houmous was unduly creamy and seemed to lack garlic. Shujuk were wonderfully infused with green chilli and falafel were near perfect.

My chicken kebab was beautifully marinaded but still benefitted from the chilli sauce I added with caution. My partner's lamb cous cous could, he opined, have used more salt but still pleased.

A delightful meal with cover and multiple non-alcoholic drinks came to only 68 euros, more than bearable even at the current exchange rate.

L'Oriental Restaurante Libanes, Urbanizacion Benamara, Avda. Dos Hermanos, Estepona