Description: El Meson Castellano is off the main tourist track and boasts some of the finest local cuisine in Tenerife. The restaurant is situated on El Camison between Los Christianos and Playa de las Americas (just around the corner from the hot air balloon.) It is easy to find by taxi, which costs three or four euros from the resort.
The majority of the clientele at Meson Castellano are local people, so this brings a very different atmosphere than found in English owned restaurants in Tenerife. Perhaps the most surprising thing about this restaurant is the lack of menus! Yet the choices span far wider than a menu could bring as the chef will cook you any meal of your choice with any sauce and side dishes. I do recommend learning a few words of Spanish as the waiters do not speak English. Or you can learn just one word and order 'tapas' to be greeted by a seven-course array of starter size delights!
As my girlfriend and I know only a little Spanish, we ordered tapas with no idea what was in store, or how many courses the attentive waiters would bring. We were first served a platter of smoked ham and cheese, soon followed by toasted foccacia with a tasty salmon pate. The third dish contained roasted gherkins and was accompanied by an exquisite arrangement of garlic prawns. As we paused for a moment between courses, I realized that amidst the hum of Spanish chatter there was barely a spare table in the restaurant. Our fifth course was stuffed red pepper parcels filled with Camambert and served with salsa. This was followed by spicy croquets with two dips of sour cream and chives and cranberry. By the seventh course I was wishing I hadn't rushed into the first six, as the waiter presented a hearty casserole of steak with regional vegetables and canarian potatoes.
When the bill arrived with the complimentary apple schnapps, I was suprised to find that a bottle of wine and these seven fantastic courses of tapas for two came to only 35 euros.
A word of warning though; I saw an English family storm out of this restaurant because there is no menu and the waiters do not speak English. I can agree that the concept of this may worry some, but I urge you to embrace this and explore the choice available to enjoy a new dining experience. After only three evening classes I know very little Spanish, however I can assure you that with the following simple phrases you can enjoy a fantastic feast at Meson Castellano!
Una mesa por dos por favor (A table for two please)
Vino tinto/blanco de la casa ( House red/white wine)
Tapas por dos ( Tapas for two)
La cuenta, por favor ( The bill please!)
This is by far the best meal I have ever eaten and it has spurred on a few culinary experiments at home.
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