RICOS — Restaurant in Arona

THIS IS NOT RICOS!!! Not even close to what it was (Please read the rude response by the owner, threatening gaining my IP address and legal action) Edited as my points appear lost in translation about what I mean the problems were. Maybe Ricos in name, certainly not in atmosphere. I don’t like sitting down at what used to be a very good restaurant, thinking I’m eating at the same restaurant built up over years of hard work. The “experience” was not the same The restaurant has been brought out and under new management and is trading under the Ricos name You can buy the name and the 5 star reviews the old restaurant had along with it... but you can’t buy the personality, passion and hard work invested in this place for years. Nor the customer service skills of the original. I anticipate the ratings plummeting unless something changes as regulars return to find it has changed hands to a new and somewhat unwelcoming owner. New faces... it certainly isn’t the same restaurant as it has been the last 6 or 8 years we have been coming here numerous times per holiday.. It certainly isn’t the same restaurant that I came to only 5 months ago.Down from 5s to 2s, I’m afraid. New seats,tables, menu,staff, prices!!! And no Rico or his partner (they made the experience) Paella cost has gone up well over 10 euros in 5 months...! (Check old photos of the original “Rico” menu on here for the previous prices a few months ago). Also check photos of the original Rico food. Seating 3 on a table for 2 with the 3rd person awkwardly perched on the walkway at a sideways downwards angle. Very odd scene when the waiter offered us Limoncello, then the new guy in charge quickly intervened and told him off in front of everyone, in a uncomfortable moment for all concerned. As a result the Limoncello never came. Maybe we hadn’t spent enough? It certainly felt that way (We ordered mains only as opposed to the usual 3 courses purely because it didn’t feel the same restaurant and the prices had shot up. We oddly didn’t get asked for deserts until we had decided to ask for the bill). Food is decent but be prepared to order more courses than you usually would, as portion sizes are smaller than they used to be (as mentioned in other reviews) In anticipation of a response from what I assume is the NEW owner I always reviewed this place 5 stars with numerous photos of the food. I’ve withdrawn all of the photos. It is NOT the same restaurant or experience that it was before, therefore I cannot recommend it. Feel free to prove me wrong. Food 3 – prices are way up and portion size is down Service 2 – as a result of the odd public Limoncello withdrawal and not being asked for dessert until after we gave up and asked for the bill, and seating 3 on a table for 2. Atmosphere 2 – for the unwelcoming bouncer like appeal of the new manager or owner who openly chastised staff for offering “free” shots to “cheap” customers. Gone is the welcome and friendly face of the original owners. Overall – 2 for the price hike, menu portion reduction, trading under Ricos name with an entirely different customer experience and attitude to go with it Feel free to read my other fair reviews, almost all positive for most places, to gauge if I’m an honest customer I won’t be returning ADDENDUM Your response highlights exactly what is wrong here. I’m sorry I didn’t realise there was a “minimum spend” and time limit in order to feel welcomed and valued as a customer, to be rewarded with a Limoncello if you pass. Secondly, “over 2 hours”...there’s this thing called Google timelines. It clearly shows I was not there anywhere like over 2 hours as you falsely claim! It was closer to 1 hour. In response to your claim covid increased prices, I clearly stated I was here at this exact restaurant a few months ago. Tasting the same chefs food, but with a very different experience. I clearly said the food was decent, the experience wasn’t You’ve admitted 3 on a table of 2,new owner, price rises, stopping the Limoncello, so I’m baffled what...

Totally disappointed. Dishonest restaurant. Don't get cheated by Ricos! I was looking forward to a nice dinner because of the high ratings but it turned out to be one of the worst restaurants in Tenerife. Since all the tables outside were full, the waiter showed me a table which was in the next building of the restaurant. (I think the sign said "Ricos Bistro".) I asked him if the kitchen was the same. He said yes. So I said as long as the kitchen was the same, I would take that seat. But the waiter lied about the kitchen. They DO have different kitchens and menus. So I could not have dishes from the restaurant Ricos. And their dishes were so bad even a simple thing like roasted potatoes. It was just greasy and not fully cooked. It was not even warm. It looked like leftover from a few days ago and they even forgot to reheat it. Maybe they just defrosted the frozen potatoes from a supermarket. Is there any restaurant that serves roast potatoes this bad? Again, don't get...

First of all we felt genuinely welcome. Customer service started immediately as we entered the house. The atmosphere was a combination of old and new, and the small but classy details surprised me positively one after another.

Rico's was the most important culinary experience of our trip. Tapas' were delicious, tomato breads especially. Colorful dishes without anything fake. Canary potatoes were literally as if they were home made - perfect! Pastas worked alright, but 'Beef caramel' was the best beef I've had for a long time. It was something new and exciting, and I have to admit it felt a bit risky, but the beef was absolutely astounding. 5/5, no question.

Definitely Tenerife's best to offer for a fairly reasonable price. I suggest you book a table early because this restaurant is on its way to being famous. If the staff believes in what they are doing it can be seen. This is something you rarely see, but tonight I witnessed it with great...