Whilst soaking up the laid-back and infectious atmosphere in the Ranilla District in Puerto de la Cruz I remembered we hadn’t written a review of one of the town’s best restaurants, El Taller Seve Diaz.
There have been so many new restaurants to try and different places to visit since we ate there with friends back in May that it had sort of got lost on my ‘things to do’ list.
Located in an old cottage in what we think of as Puerto’s serious restaurant district, EL Taller Seve Diaz is another one of those modern Tenerife restaurants which has elevated the gastronomic game on the island to such an extent that when we travel to other destinations we’re often disappointed by the ‘lack of choice’.
Although the restaurant is in an old cottage the décor is contemporary chic; brilliant white walls contrast with slate ones where stainless steel pans hang in neat rows, looking more like art than kitchen equipment. Tables and chairs follow a similar pattern, except this time it’s pale wood tables against dark grey chairs – it’s a clean, attractive look that sets the scene by gently whispering ‘this is a quality restaurant’. There’s also the ubiquitous big glass bowl half full of corks.
The menu is of the small and select variety, and includes eight starters, three fish dishes and four meat ones. It’s just as well as every single tries its best to solicit your taste buds.
As there were four of us we were able to sample 40% of the menu at one sitting.
The Food at El Taller Seve Diaz
I enjoy food that’s not only creative in relation to the flavours, but which is presented with some imagination. El Taller Seve Diaz got off to a good start with artisan bread which arrived in a mini sack. Helping ease us into the meal was an appetiser of olives and crispy poppadom strips as well as a cool and refreshing gazpacho amuse-bouche.
We’d limited ourselves to two starters (leaving space for puds); savoury and sweet smoked cheese croquettes with guava, and the most wonderfully delicate and light strawberry salad in a passion fruit dressing. Mmm and mmm again.
Mains were an eclectic mix; slow cooked lamb on pistachio couscous; cod with roasted sweet potato, basil and tomato; pig cheeks on mushroom and pumpkin risotto and salmon in poppy seeds with pineapple from El Hierro, fennel and celeriac.
I had the salmon and it was a stand out dish, one of the tastiest fish dishes I’ve tried in a long, long time; the mix of different flavours blending seamlessly to reward with a sublimely tasty experience.
We finished with two light postres – raspberry mousse with strawberries and yoghurt and cheesecake with ice cream served in a Martini glass; creative to the end.
Exceptional creative cuisine, attractive surroundings, and professional and friendly service – El Taller Seve Diaz simply has all the ingredients we love… all neatly wrapped up in a delicious little package.
El Taller Seve Diaz; Calle San Felipe 32 , Puerto de la Cruz; +34 822 257 538; open 7pm to 10.30pm Wednesday to Friday, 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 7pm to 10.30pm Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday; average price of a main course €17.
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