El Atíco — Restaurant in Gaucín

As a foodie I always appericiate a good review, and so try and be honest & fair in mine.

Here are details of our experience and disappointment, few firsts for us costing €68.

Although not one of the recommendations from our hotel, we stumbled on what looked like an intriguing menu. The couple were welcoming and views were absolutely stunningly probably the best one in town.

We managed to get a dinner reservation for 2 days later and actually went in a day before to fill a last minute cancellation.

Now here is a first for us. We were seated at 8:28 (2 minutes before our reservation at 8:30) and was told our orders couldn’t be taken because we arrived early. At the time of arrival there were 2 other table (totalling 4 people). Now maybe that’s a capacity thing or a Spanish thing or Altico thing but for someone who eats at restaurants 3-5/week in multiple settings across 40 countries we have never had this. It made us feel unwelcome.

The lady otherwise was very chatty and interactive but I was taken aback by her comment. We took some advice and ordered 1 starter, 1 share plate, a main and a dessert.

We were served some breadstick and shop bought mayo (her words) would have much rather have oil. To be fair we asked for some and was provided with it.

The tuna was absolutely lovely. The pickled veg with it were very nice and tangy. The fig bread with goats cheese was a fresh & home made. Both plates were good portions for sharing. We later learned you can ask for double portion of the tuna as main course.

I wasn’t impressed with the waiting times but the bread sticks made it easier :) at most another table of 2 joined so there were total of 8 people in the restaurant at this point.

So far we couldn’t get a good steak and asked her their quality of meat and made our desperation for a good rare steak very clear.

I asked for RARE steak which had butter as a single item listed as well as veg and chips. I specifically asked for butter to be on the side and the chips to be replaced by veg (mainly courgettes).

When the meal came out (after some time) the lady said “I’m sorry I forgot to ask for the butter on the side is that ok” my husband immediately said no, she isn’t good with butter so we will need a new one. I hadn’t mentioned my allergy- sever intolerance to it because it was itemised separately and I had asked for it to be separate (my husband enjoys it with his bread). Now this is perfectly fine mistakes happen and she went to correct it.

But this is probably the most unacceptable part of the meal/evening happened.

The meat disappeared for less than 5 minutes came with a different set of veg (no way enough to replace as an extra for the chips) but again least of my problems. It was extremely dry and over cooked. It wasn’t just medium it wasn’t even well done it was burnt to a crisp. I asked her if I did ordered it rare (I know I did). She asked me to cut in the middle and saw it was way overcooked and asked if I needed a new one at this point it was 9:40pm I was loosing the will to live. Within seconds of taking my last reluctant bite I had to run to the bathroom and started throwing up.

When I came out she asked if I was ok and I asked if it was the same steak as before as I’m allergic to butter. Her response was “you didn’t tell me”.

While it’s my responsibility to mention the word allergy, I don’t like making a fuss and made my needs clear. I certainly wasn’t expected to be served washed and reheated contaminated steak.

Unbeknown to me everyone in the terrace including my husband heard me throwing up. How embarrassing. We promptly left as I was in pain.

They did apologise but I genuinely couldn’t believe they would serve the same steak. But there was now way it was a new one. It was re delivered in less than 5 minutes and they never actually corrected me when I asked.

So absolutely 0 regard. It’s one thing having a bad meal another being ill from it. And from their view it was my fault for not declaring the allergy.

Just genuinely upset and hurt by...

I cannot say enough positive things about my time at El Atico and about the owner Lisa. My husband and I held the welcome dinner for our wedding at the restaurant this July and Lisa was such a professional and thoughtful person throughout the entire experience. We live in Brooklyn and planning our wedding from so far would not have been possible without the kindness of the Lisa and Hugs. We had a beautiful cocktail hour before dinner and then a seated meal for 35 after. Lisa helped us think through every detail - from seating to wine to the food menu and even floral arrangements. please go to El Atico when you are in Gaucin and think of them for...

Went to this amazing place last night with my husband, it was superb! We are both 100% plant based vegans which i did not mention upon booking, we got scolded for this as the wonderful hostess said she would have made us a special vegan supper. However, the menu is so good anyway that this presented no problem for us. The chef was totally accommodating and just upped the veggie content of our main course. All 3 courses were delicious and the organic Rosé proved to be a fabulous accompaniment. The whole place is beautifully decorated and the views are out of this world. Cannot recommend El Atico too highly, we will...