Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Definitely Not Tom's Diner

Monday night, after enjoying the Christmas lights in central Málaga, we headed over to El Meson de Cervantes for dinner. We'd been there a few times since our exploratory trip to Spain in January 2011. We really need to go a lot more often. We love everything about the place starting with the warm welcome we always receive. Fortunately, we got there a bit earlier — 8:15 — than is expected for Spanish dining. A half hour later and we probably wouldn't have gotten a table.

THE ALAMEDA PRINCIPAL, MÁLAGA.

The hostess asked us if we had a reservation. We said, no, and San Geraldo put his hand out to be slapped.

I then told the hostess that San Geraldo used to be famous. "But not anymore. Does that help?"

He then jokingly mentioned his 22-greats grandfather San Fernando Rey (King Ferdinand III). I explained the relationship.

Abuelo is grandfather. Bisabuelo is great-grandfather. Tatara abuelo is great-grandfather. I said tatara-tatara-tatara... and finished with the number 22. By this point, we were all friends. One of the servers brought us to a table and told us it was the table for tataras. It's important to note that the table was available whether or not San Fernando Rey had been Grandpa.

Everyone on staff was warm and friendly. It's a team effort, so no one is ever ignored or in need. I had Secreto Ibérico, a pork dish I've had elsewhere a number of times (and loved). Nothing will ever hold a candle to this one: the pork, pineapple sauce, and a slice of pumpkin. It sounded odd to me, but the combination could not have been more perfect. I managed to include a little of each in every mouthful. We then had dessert, which you'll see below.

We received kisses good-bye and just about danced through town to catch the train home.

SAN GERALDO'S SUCKLING PIG. 
SECRETO IBÉRICO.
SAN GERALDO'S CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH FRESH BERRIES.
MY NEW FAVOURITE DESSERT: SWEET-WINE MOUSSE, LIME SORBET, MANGO SAUCE,
AND A CRUNCHY PINE NUT TOPPING (UNDER THE LIME SORBET, TOO).


Whenever one of the servers passed our table, she would sing, "Tatara tatara tatara tatara."
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23 comments:

  1. Linda Kay02 December, 2015 19:44

    Quite the presentations. I'm so jealous!

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    Replies
    1. Moving with Mitchell03 December, 2015 16:26

      Linda:
      Someday, someone will devise a way to offer cyber samples.

      Delete
  2. ty02 December, 2015 20:48

    The food looks divine

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  3. Seine Judeet (Judith)02 December, 2015 21:07

    Ahhhh, you guys are great! Love reading about your adventures :) It must have been a fun place to be that night :) And... fabulous food AND Christmas decorations!? Merveilleux!

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    Replies
    1. Moving with Mitchell03 December, 2015 16:26

      Judy:
      Ooh, merveilleux... I'm going to have Jerry practice that one. If you think his Spanish (and English) are entertaining, you should hear his attempts at French!

      Delete
  4. Gosia02 December, 2015 21:40

    Malaga looks great

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  5. Wilma02 December, 2015 21:48

    Is it just me, or do those like giant mustaches suspended over the street?
    Your dinners look fantastic! I can't believe you were actually able to wait long enough to snap a few photos before you ate. You have more will power than I do ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Moving with Mitchell03 December, 2015 16:24

      Wilma:
      Those lights were actually better than pictured. I didn't want to take my chances (for long) snapping a shot in the middle of that boulevard, so I didn't get a very good image. Instead, I just "treated it" in Photoshop. We really had no dinner plans when we headed into town for the lights. Otherwise, I probably would have been chasing San Geraldo down the street to the restaurant.

      Delete
  6. anne marie in philly02 December, 2015 23:21

    all that food looks dee-lish!

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  7. Jim03 December, 2015 00:19

    Now I should NOT be hungry! We just ate!
    But these selections look wonderful. And the service sounded pretty good as well.
    A great evening indeed, Mitchell. Your dessert looks particularly interesting.

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    Replies
    1. Moving with Mitchell03 December, 2015 16:22

      Jim:
      I ordered the dessert because it sounded interesting. Although I love vino dulce (sweet wine), I didn't expect to love mousse de vino dulce. It was not sweet like I expected and the texture was wonderful. AND the blend of lime sorbet, mango, and the crunchy pine nuts... amazing.

      Delete
  8. The Cranky03 December, 2015 01:41

    One of these days I'll be there singing tatara as the two of you walk in. ;-)

    Loving Suzanne.

    ReplyDelete
  9. stephen Hayes03 December, 2015 03:29

    I wish I could join you for one of these superb meals.

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  10. Maria03 December, 2015 20:25

    I covet that chocolate mousse like nobody's business.

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    Replies
    1. Moving with Mitchell04 December, 2015 18:35

      Maria:
      Normally I would covet the chocolate mousse, too -- anything chocolate. But my choice was pretty spectacular.

      Delete
  11. larrymuffin04 December, 2015 00:34

    Congratulations on your nomination for the LIEBSTER Award! See my blog for details.
    Love your photos so festive.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ur-spo05 December, 2015 17:57

    What kind of dance?

    ReplyDelete

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