Restaurante Contraseña — Restaurant in Cádiz

If I could have a perfect lunch this would be it. Started with a few glasses of cava moved on to a reasonably priced local palomino wine from Cádiz, which was recommended by the waiter. Starters of prawn fritters are a must to have; not just for the look but also taste great in the brava sauce. We share the starter of red mullet which arrives raw on the plate and then is blowtorched in front of you. Really nice of the restaurant to split the starter on two plates. I had the tuna cheek which was very rich and something I never had before as a main. My wife had the sea bream in clam sauce. Both fishes were perfectly cooked. For dessert a very creative use of pears to go with an excellent goats cheese ice cream. The weather was perfect and the waiter was excellent. What I really enjoyed about this restaurant was that it was not only excellent food but was always surprising. You where are eager to see what the next dish would be. You wondered what they would come up with. In brief, it’s a great experience as well as great food. Never felt rushed and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours. Not sure if I would return to Cádiz, but if I do I will definitely book this...

We recently ate at this restaurant that unfortunately left us with a bad taste in our mouths. Firstly, our table was situated near the restrooms and we had to endure an unpleasant smell throughout our meal, which made the dining experience quite unpleasant. Secondly, the service was very unprofessional. My partner and I ordered very clearly two main courses, but they brought us one of them on two plates. When we asked why we both got this dish they explained that they split it so we both can try. Of course we than ate it since “to split” means that one meal is split in half and not doubled, which they were doing. In end we were charged for three main courses! When we brought this to the attention of our server, instead of apologizing and immediately correcting the mistake, we - the customers - were blamed for the error and had to argue with the staff in front of the other guests in order to not pay double the amount. It took a while to get them to fix the amount of the bill in the end. I must say, we have never been treated so poorly and unprofessionally at a restaurant before. Overall, I cannot recommend this restaurant based on our...

Please read this to the end. Having looked at reviews we were very undecided. There is another restaurant run by the same team which was a bit confusing. We booked and went at 9pm last Friday evening. We arrived and having booked to eat on the 'terrace' we were shown to our table. My partner pointed out that it was not a terrace it was the street!!! Not only the street but right on a nice but rowdy square with families having a lovely time on a Friday evening. We asked for an indoor table but they said they were full so it was outside or nothing. Inside was nice but starkly lit. Anyway with partner now on a short fuse we stayed. There were four other tables on the 'terrace' - all full. Things rapidly got better. The food was fantastic. From the olive amuse bouche, through garlic prawns in sherry and veal sweetbreads - which my partner said was to die for - to beef cheek and steak to the pudding. Everything was just lovely. We highly recommend it. Full of flavour and very inventive.

As soon as it was 9.30pm the families went home and the square and the 'terrace' was an oasis of calm. Knowing what I know now I'd return to...