Restaurante Cuarenta y tres 43 — Restaurant in Cartagena

2 visits and 2 very different experiences

First visit was excellent hence why we booked to come back again… First visit was lunch time, everything was fabulous, our waiter Jose was a great host, we shared a variety of small plates all were very good, Jose poured our wine and was so attentive to our table, served our food and cleared the plates when we had finished eating each plate, we received complimentary shots of 43 chocolate and horchata, the bill was just over 100€, this experience was outstanding.

2nd visit was a disaster, some of this experience was beyond control due to a number of power cuts. We were greeted and seated and Jose was initially our waiter, until the other waiting staff took over, we ordered a few plates to share and a main course each and specifically asked to have a small break in between each plate as we didn’t want to rush, soon as the bread came out the first plate came out and within 2 minutes the next plate came out.. we then asked again can they slow down bringing the food out, the waitress also took our plate away before we had finished eating, the waiting staff we constantly looking at the table checking to see if food was finished which was very uncomfortable and unprofessional, not once during this evening was our wine poured for us and this wasn’t offered either. We asked for our main courses to wait 20/30 mins which was honoured but this felt like it was inconvenient for the waiting staff. During the the evening there were a number of power cuts which made the area where we were sat very uncomfortable due to no air conditioning (this never came back in throughout the evening) and our main course served in the uncomfortable heat, we moved to the terrace ourselves as it was much cooler, we left half of our main course as didn’t enjoy this being so uncomfortable sat in the heat. The terrace wasn’t half full so I think guests should have been offered to move to this area as it was much cooler, we were not asked about our food once this evening, we were offered dessert and coffee but didn’t want anything else, we were given a shot of 43 and this was ‘highlighted’ it was ‘on the house’ Then the bill came, we were given the wrong bill, which was corrected and to see things added to the ‘correct’ bill which we had not consumed, again corrected… not a great evening at all spending over 130€

What a contrast from...

An exceptional location and a fabulous venue. What should have been a great culinary experience ended up being a huge disappointment: we had a couple of pre-dinner drinks that were served with two little dishes (one of salted almonds and one of olives). Half the party arrived late so we asked for another of these two little dishes. We thought these were complimentary. We were wrong: they charged 10€ for these in the final bill. A small bread basket was placed on the table. Free? Nope, this was charged at 8€. Starter of “The best Salmorejo in the world”came with a generous helping of cling film inside. Spoke to the manager who apologised, proceeded to replace it and then charge us for both. We had to complaint (again) to have them remove the charge from the bill. Half the starters arrived after the rest of the guests had eaten theirs. Mains were really nice and so were desserts and asiatico coffees. After our initial complaints we were expecting some small gesture (a complimentary coffee would have done it). Instead, we had to point out that they charged for the salmorejo (with plastic) for them to remove the charge for this and its replacement. We found it appalling that we were charged for the olives, nuts and bread and not a single thing was given as a good will gesture. We provided feedback on the spot. Politely; and quietly decided never to return. Would love to recommend this restaurant (i really would) but service needs to be better for us to do so, specially at this price point. Pity as a single gesture could have reversed our really...

Let me start off by saying this place in brand new. It’s beautiful inside and the staff are so friendly and polite. Most only speak Spanish but the manger speaks English and is there to help translate. Coming from someone who lives in Miami and experiences fine dinning they need to work on a few things like water service, menu timing, paying at the end. Took a little while to find some English menus for half our party and we had to end up sharing. The wine list was smaller than I expected but we picked the 1 Sauvignon blanc they had. I’m not sure if there’s a cocktail menu with fun drinks that include 43, we didn’t receive one. I’ve include all the pictures of what we ate. Highlights: ham croquettes and chicken croquettes both delicious, the cracker and bread basket, the sashimi was fresh and melted in you mouth, artichoke campo de Cartagena amazing flavors. As for the other dishes the fish of the day and tiramisu were average, the pork was cold but tasty, and the crème brûlée was there version, as you can see from the picture not much brûlée/harden sugar. For a restaurant centered around Liqour 43 there not many dishes that include the drink which was upsetting and something they could definitely take advance of. Besides that the restaurant is very pretty and I highly...