A culinary commentary

For Ruben's birthday earlier this month, he wanted to try a well-known restaurant that is situated in an old house built in 1955, close to Sardinero, called Deluz (www.deluz.es).

As is usual with places that have good ambience and ideal location, we weren't expecting a whole lot. We ordered different things for each course from the set menu to get a good sample of what they had to offer:

Wild mushrooms baked in a phyllo pastry with goat cheese on top

Risotto with squid

Steak wrapped around cheese....I think....forgot... :)

Hake topped with salsa of veggies

Dessert sampler of apple tart, brownie and cheesecake

The conclusion on the food a resounding "meh". Great presentation, very good service, but taste-wise, just average. In fact, a bit disappointing on some fronts. The phyllo was flaky and yum, but the risotto a bit liquidy and bland. The meat dish was tender and quite good, but the hake lacked flavour. It would've been much better with a stronger sauce. Dessert was small and not outstanding by any means...how sad for this sweet-tooth!

Service, however, was very good--friendly and efficient, the former of which can be lacking at times, and the latter usually expected. One waiter came back constantly to pour water for us, even though the bottle was already on the table. Pleasantries were exchanged, and that is a rare and unusual thing in this land of direct questions...

We really came to check out the ambience, and were not disappointed with this:

One section of the many dining areas

The lounge/library/study

Relaxing out on the porch

Building exterior

View of the neighbours from the gardens

Overall, it was something nice to try, if only just to say we have been there, even if it wasn't fantastically spectacular. :)

And now, more kitchen experiments: something old...

Another attempt at perfecting the crust....still not desirably crispy.... (suggestions??)

And something(s) new.....

Good-looking sushi by the rookie chef.... :)

Another attempt the following weekend for good measure--just as lovely though simpler

Inspired by our Parisienne journey, here we present cheese fondue...trial 1--looks great but a bit clumpy....trial 2 was more successful, though lacking in photographic evidence

Chocolate fondue, on the other hand, never fails....mmmmmm.........