Romantico Restaurante — Restaurant in Arona

So, my experience here started a few days before my visit

On our first night here the tout outside (although friendly) made a horrible impression, of the place, and put me off going

A few days later my partner suggested we try it as the touting is pretty common here and we thought we'd give it a chance

We were seated quickly which was nice, and besides the tatty menus it looked nice

At this point, I was starting to get my hopes up and the food passing us looked good

We ordered some soft drinks. We don't drink alcohol much and we were very tired after a full day out, this is when things started going wrong. The "coke" which was almost certainly some off-brand was completely flat. I dismissed this as maybe the gas had gone, which sometimes happens. So I shrugged it off as I have worked in pubs and restaurants, and it can easily happen

Next, the bread arrived which we didn't order. But I understand that bread is customary in Spain. However, usually in more...reputable establishments, this is free, if it's not it should be stated before it's brought out. If it's a charge then it should NEVER be brought to the table unprompted

This is a very scam feeling and creates an awful reputation for the establishment.

Ironically the bread turned out to be the most tasty part of the meal,

The waiter (who was nice and efficient) brought out our plates and the garlic aioli that was to accompany the squid rings we got as a starter. I was so hungry from the busy day we had the bread with the garlic aioli, and both were very nice. Unfortunately, this didn't last

The squid rings were overcooked but the batter was ok. Passable...just

We had some spicy prawns arrive, the prawns themselves were nice but the sauce was bland and completely flavourless we added butter, salt, and pepper to them which gave the sauce a little bit of life it desperately needed

Next the seafood paella and the "chef special 1.2kg T-bone steak"

When the paella arrived, it did look great, I even commented wow as it was put down

The looks, however far, surpassed the taste, which was awful. It tasted as if it had been left to dry out all day, and they'd thrown in some tap water to moisten it up a little. The prawns were extremely overcooked

Flavourless, watery. Gross.

The steak... where do I start

A steak is not hard to cook right, especially if done on a charcoal grill (as advertised)

It wasn't I ordered mid-rare It was overcooked on one side and blue on the other

The tenderloin part should have been full of flavour from the rendered strip of fat, but...it was all gristle and fat. I thought my knife was blunt. That's how hard it was to get through, awfully cooked very low-grade beef, and you will pay a premium for it

For 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 soft drinks cost just shy of €100. The most expensive and worst quality meal of our holiday.

To call this place a scam is a little harsh. However, it's skirting that line, as close as you can get...

It is a tourist trap, and I think the owner knows it

Feels like a "give me your money and go away" sort of place

For the owner, there are so many people on here with the same complaint, sort it out, take the feedback, and do better. Every one of those 1 star reviews feel the same way, and we know, and you know the bread situation is a scam.

I wanted to love it here. But I simply could not

People thinking of going, don't, we went somewhere else the next day, it was considerably better quality and half the price. Don't be fooled. Wait until they make significant changes. You will overpay and be disappointed

The price to quality...

One of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in a very long time, that sadly closed off our holiday. Waiting staff were overzealous, surly and heavy handed with plates. Tried clearing away food that wasn’t finished with and when it came to paying the bill, bizarrely lingered as I laid out cash, watching me like an expectant dog. No attempt to ward away the hecklers from the street trying to pawn their rubbish.

Food was abysmal. We ordered mussels and they hadn’t been vetted for the beard properly, were bland and overcooked. Also scallops, which hadn’t been separated from their roe, were overcooked and overpowered with onion and bacon. Melon and Iberian ham: melon was a tasteless variety and old, ham was poor quality. Papas bravas seemed reheated and then drenched in bland sauce giving a very unpleasant texture. Bread was brought as an entree, however to my horror this was added as an additional charge on the bill rather than being complimentary. Extremely dishonest and unprofessional.

The one saving grace was that the two cocktails we ordered were ok. On that note this ‘restaurant’ should perhaps change their focus to simply being a bar as I’m quite baffled they are still in business serving such dire food. Not even Gordon Ramsay could sort...

Second visit to this restaurant over the past 2 years, both times been for the entertainment and both times now been disappointed in the food we thought the first time was just a one off, fortunately the entertainment is decent here, the house burger was a real disappointment when it arrived I actually thought they had made a mistake and given me a kids meal. €15 for a €4.99 equivalent McDonald’s burger meal is what come to mind as that’s all it was a small burger on a seeded bun with fries and bacon bits on top, for the price and name should have been double stacked and come with side of onion rings and coleslaw or corn on cob and been proper home made chips not French fries (if you do read this make these changes)

My partners cocktail also came without alcohol so had to be returned and still was very weak for €7.50, bread also that they put on the table to start your meal is charged at the end again something we learned from previous visit so didn’t eat it this time. €1.50 a slice! That’s right per slice!!! for crusty bread is too excessive for something most other restaurants offer free along with salad providing you buy a...