Quality food, customer service and value for money. It’s very rare that a restaurant manages to excel at all three.
That’s just what the team do at La Bodega del Cantinero (Casa Alberto) in San Pedro de Alcantara – and then some.
This Spanish restaurant has been operating out of the charming Marbella town for well over a decade and has won a series of accolades.
Just last year it received a Traveller’s Choice Award from TripAdvisor, which ranked it five stars, as well as a coveted Sluurpy prize.
The eatery is owned and managed by wine expert Alberto Morito, who has travelled around the world for food inspiration, while his charming wife, herself a Ukrainian, is the head chef.
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The menu is strictly an Andalucian affair, with some foreign inspiration. All the seafood is caught fresh and is available when only in season, underlining Alberto’s commitment to excellence.
This weekend, me and a friend headed to Cantinero for a traditional Sunday paella, and we could not find a fault.
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel very welcome, with staff extremely attentive and friendly.
Waiters top up your glass without you having to ask, and even open those pesky wet wipe packets before placing them on the table – saving you the often arduous task (especially after digging through clams).
The seafood paella, I can safely say, was the best I have ever tried. Perfectly cooked and ZERO food colourings or additives – and filled with prawns, clams and squid.
It didn’t even require seasoning, just a sprinkle of lemon and it was perfection on a plate.
Although we weren’t drinking alcohol, Alberto has one of the biggest wine collections on the coast, featuring only the best of Spanish and local wines.
He caters for every price range, with one deliciously fruity Sauvignon Blanc (I tried a sip) costing just €20 a bottle.
For dessert, I indulged in the homemade cheesecake topped with a berry coulis, which is glazed at the table before being topped with a flaming shot of Cointreau. It melted in the mouth; heaven on a plate.
My friend tried the chocolate mousse, which she declared ‘the best I’ve ever had’; light, fluffy and deliciously chocolatey.
Incredibly, the paella was just €23 each, which yes, is good value given its quality. The final bill was less than €80 – a very fair price for the excellent food, generous portions and top-class service.
I could not recommend La Bodega del Cantinero enough, and urge anyone visiting Marbella to make a reservation.
If you want paella, let the restaurant know when making the booking, as they have to make preparations in advance.
