guesswork

sk Fabio at Puerta Ancha because they do a Tuna Starter with Wasabi and Ginger

MikeCol

Hi Jon, I have pickled ginger in my fridge but it was made for me by my friend Yin. As for the other stuff you may be able to get it at Apolonia (not 100% sure) as they have a sushi bar. Other than that you could try asking at the Japanese restaurant by Apolonia or the one that has just opened in VR, regards Bryony

olivia

Root ginger is available on most of the veg counters in Portugal. I haven't seen it in Ayamonte. It is very easy to pickle just google a method. I use root ginger in curries. If you buy a large piece peel it and cut it into pieces. It freezes well and grates beautifully from frozen.

chrismortley

Hi Jon
Just been to the Big House & they had all your required items.
Sorry to say I couldn't find out their supplier( language barrier) but they were happy for us to take items from the sushi bar,hope this helps
Best
Chris

bxpuser24710519

I could be wrong but I think I have seen them all in Carrefour.

Jon-Bxl

Thanks everybody for the great tips.... With all the Chinese shops in town, I shouldnt have asked where to get chopsticks!

I buy ginger from pingo doce, but never thought about pickling it myself... And I guess I could bring the wasabi in the suitcase... But good to have these tips....

Thanks again

Jon

PS. To make the ginger nice tip to use a spoon to peel it

Jon-Bxl

O Tapas Monte Gordo


Hi this resto has been recommended several times on the forum and easily found/searched here and on Google.

IMO they have the best value for money menu in the area - especially in low season 10Eur... everything included (Even at High season price 15Eur its worth it. Many a fun time has been had there)

Always busy so has a nice buzz. We personally prefer going there with another couple - or more as we think its best as a 'social resto' - with a great buzz.

We had friends from France visit recently and they are fans of 'Plateau de fruits de mer' just in case you haven't seen this - its a huge silver platter brimming with shellfish, sea snails etc etc.

The equivalent here is a 'Mariscada'. We went for it, and although its not the same as France - we all loved it. 42.50Eur for 2. Crab (with all the 'Eatin' irons'), prawns, clams, etc... etc. The surprise for us we the delicious oysters. Locally farmed in Cacelha Velha. I mentioned these before and ate them at the big resto in the beautiful village facing away from the ocean and onto the 'green' (our favourite village to visit in the area).. then down to the neighbouring Fabrica with a great kiosko, beach resto right on the Rio Formosa

I've always felt that the best oysters are from Northern France - cold water from the Channel. But these are FAR cheaper and as good.

If you like oysters I do recommend you go there or to Cacelha Velha. Personally if you order oysters, I personally recommend asking for medium sized ones (the big ones are a tad too big for us)

Its a HUGE blowout so get there at midday or so PT with friends.. and eat slowly.

What surprised us is that after the shellfish blast - there is a meal as well, meat or pork and desert too!! Far too much and if we do the Mariscada again we will ask if we can possibly substitute the meal for some more clams, prawns etc.

The French loved it and will 'tell the world' about the prices we paid, they loved the meal and were amazed at the price of it (and the drinks).

We got a local taxi back to CE from the rank near the casino... only 17:50.

Good day out - and if you cant handle the huge volume of food - get those oysters in - wherever - whilst in season, even if you don't need 'nature's viagra'

Jon

PS Ive also seen a Mariscada equivalent advertised at the 'EL Ferry' resto in Ayamonte... though we haven't tried it (or the resto) yet. If anyone knows others that do this - please let us know...

Kay O ness

Hi
We have been to El Ferry several times. Seems to be underrated by Brits but always well frequented by Locals. Very varied and different menu to the normal grilled and fried fish. Great for Sunday Lunch or Public holidays but get in early as the locals will get there on masse around 2.30 / 3.0 pm. Nice touch is you get a small bottle of cream liqueur to share at the end of your meal.
Good eating
Regards Kay

Jon-Bxl

Thanks Kay for the recommendation.

We were there in the first couple of days of opening, and had a drink at the bar, the resto wasn't fully up and running - but without trying it we felt it was a bit impersonal. A mistake on our part. GREAT that its full of locals.

Speaking of which.We had lunch at a place which may become our favourite Spanish resto, I may have mentioned it before.. Hostal Espana. Take the Lepe road, from Ayamonte ( the one that is roughly parallel to the ocean and south from the Motorway) (or take the 1st or 2nd M-Way Exit after CE - direction Huelva... and drop down to the road).

Imagine you pass the Isla Christina turn off on this road (to your right) and carry on about 200m. Huge resto excellent service, the best so far in our part of Spain IMO. Great grilled food and menu (BH loves Bacalau a la Bras and rates it there - though its Portuguese).

Ive even (seriously) considered taking the managers of 19H and the GC there to show them how it should be done!

Sundays is packed with locals and like El Ferry after 2.30pm it is amazing - a great buzz and atmosphere.... and loud!

Happy munchin'

Jon

Kay O ness

Hi again
Forgot to mention that you can just have a drink at the bar or have tapas in the bar area. They also do a takeaway menu but I think it is aimed at parties as it features the seafood medley you mentioned and various combinations of a kilo of meat/ fish.
We saw four old boys one Sunday drinking wine enthusiastically from one of those leather sacks with a spout that I thought only existed in one of those awful authentic bbq's. we all went to in Benidorm in the 70's. The more they drained the wine the more lecherously they leered at and and followed the movement of any young waitress who dared get within goosing range. That's what I love about Spain, still refreshingly non-PC.
Keep up the good work
Kay O'ness

MikeCol

Hi, my Spanish golfing friends have the bota de vino in their golf bags instead of carrying a hip flask, regards Mike

marisol

Hi Jon!!!
you can buy everything you need for sushi in El corte ingles in Huelva, you can get it online and they delivery it to you, at least, i buy it in el corte ingles in Madrid

Jon-Bxl

HI Marisol

GREAT to hear from you, and thanks for the tip. Also that ECIngles will deliver foodstuffs from an online order.

Good to find another Sushi-fan. We shall have a pile of sushi the next time we meet! One of my 3 favourite food categories!

All the best

Jon

Uncle Buck

Sorry to hear the bad news about Lotita and El Limonero shutting down after the New Year's Day lunch. Andrea said that her and Elliot were heading back to Malaga and Gavin was staying on to see how the night club goes. Shame to see yet another closure, just goes to show how much support these places need to stay open in these tough times. Thanks to Gavin & Andrea for providing us places to eat and drink over the years and we wish them all the best for the future.

MikeJ

Very sad news indeed!