La Taberna Salamanca — Restaurant in Alicante

WORST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE SO FAR. GO NEXT DOOR INSTEAD.

Food, service and atmosphere comments at the bottom.

Story: Me and my gf went to this tavern after hearing good things about the food. We were also told the waitresess had an unpredictable mood... We didnt listen to those comments and were very happy to get a table to try the menu. When we arrived we were the second table (a family that left soon after) and therefore hoped for a nice experience.

We ordered starters and asked if we could wait to order the main course as we wanted to have a good look at the menu. We received the starters with drinks and asked if we could order the main course. Three more couples had arrived by now and we were told to wait a little so the waitress could install them. No biggie.

After 20 minutes the waitress approached and proptly told us that we were not allowed to order food for 40 minutes. We were startled and kindly asked if she meant that we wont receive the food until 40 minutes if we ordered now, but there was no misunderstanding. She came up with a story that the kitchen was fully occupied with making food for the three couples that had arrived after us, thus throwing the chef under the bus for not being able to cook for more than 3 couples.

We kindly tried to talk to her after this to remedy the situation but she arrogantly refused all interaction and instead proceeded to provide attentive service to the other three couples. We unfortunately had no choice but to take the tab and leave with no tip.

After this we went next door to La Taberna del Gourmet and proptly got served a delicious main course with accompanying wine by some very nice waiters and waitresses! It was only a few eurs more expensive and well worth it.

Food: If you're a Pringles fan you'll love it because all dishes comes with chips fresh out the can.

Service: The waitress wont take your order and will make you write a bad review afterwards.

Atmosphere: Expect an interior mixed between the holdout of your local alcoholics and a decadent christmas tree.

Overall 0 stars and I will...

I cant recall who recommended this restaurant to us but Im very glad they did. It's a cosy, intimate place with an intriguing decor and an accent on wine. The food is excellent and beautifully presented. We were with good friends and decided to share, tapas style. We began with a plate of cheeses (garnished with membrillo, salchicha, and almonds), mixed homemade croquetas, a salad of tomatoes and ventresca and a racion of grilled asparagus. All were delicious. We followed with two meat dishes-pluma iberico and entrecot de ternera-: both cooked perfectly and accompanied with delicate french fries and an interesting side salad. We shared a very nice Nexus Ribeira del Duero crianza wine and water. The service was immaculate and the chef/partner visited us twice during the meal to check all was ok. Unfortunately we had no room left for desserts but I have my eyes set on the Coulant de chocolate on our next visit which wont be too long! Great background music just completed the ambience. Would recommend highly for romantics and lovers of good food and wine but you MUST reserve in advance (during our meal at least 3 groups of people with no reservations were...

The cook is a master in balancing the tenderness and the level of cooking the monster 1+KG "chuletón". I frequently travel, have tasted steaks in Europe, North and South America and in the Middle East, and this is one of the best I have had. The experience was also pleasant with very elaborated appetizers (croquettes, in any flavor are excellent, the ensaladilla delicious) and good wines. The Taberna is well located near the main boardwalk and beach, small, cozy, more oriented to a small or intimate dinner in a relaxed no-rush atmosphere. Also to mention the service and the owner were very professional and pleasant, coming up to check everything was perfect, willing to help, placing a hot skillet on the table to make sure you get every bite warmed enough before eating it... Price was very correct, and actually I would say it could be considered good after the quality of meat, food served

This time I could not find anything to criticize, and a lot to praise......