Restaurante Papillon — Restaurant in La Orotava

Well, I must say, my dining escapades at "Papillon" during the "Teide at night" tour were like entering a parallel universe where the laws of friendliness, order, and sanity just didn't apply. If you're into social experiments disguised as dining experiences, this is your spot.

Let's talk about the staff. Unfriendly? Oh, that's putting it lightly. It's almost like they've perfected the art of cultivating unfriendliness into a fine science. Chaos was their middle name, and I couldn't help but wonder if they were secretly auditioning for roles in a sitcom.

During the first stop that I generously allotted 30 minutes of my life to, I soon realized that time here operates on a different plane. Within a mere 10 minutes, it became apparent that the notion of placing an order was akin to a whimsical dream, perhaps one induced by the altitude. I applaud their dedication to the slow food movement, though I'm not entirely sure it was intentional.

Of course, my dining companions and I eventually decided to embark on a culinary pilgrimage to the sacred grounds of "restaurant Bambi" on the opposite side. Their uncomplicated and quick self-service approach was a breath of fresh air, like finding an oasis in the desert of disarray.

Now, onto the food. Average quality is what they were aiming for, and in that endeavor, they succeeded with flying colors. But let's talk about the cutlery for a moment. I'm convinced that they've outsourced their dishwashing to the Teide's rain clouds. It's an innovative approach, I'll give them that, but it posed quite the challenge in a national park setting.

The first course, a soup served in a plastic cup that's probably cousins with the ones from an average hospital, managed to rise above its humble vessel. Taste-wise, it performed a commendable juggling act of mediocrity and adequacy.

The main course, a symphony of chicken, potatoes, and veggies, was prepared with the passion of a steam-powered locomotive. It's as if they harnessed the volcanic heat of Teide itself to cook it. I must admit, I was slightly disappointed it didn't arrive on a cloud of steam.

But ah, the dessert. The shining star of the show. It was like a beacon of hope in a sea of culinary misadventures, momentarily making me forget the chaos that surrounded me.

And what's a dining experience without wine and butter, right? The wine was a poor match for my discerning palate, and the butter... well, it's safe to say that truffle butter's distant cousin made an appearance.

So, if you're in the mood for an evening that dances on the fine line between absurdity and reality, "Papillon" is your destination. Just be prepared to have your taste buds take a wild rollercoaster ride and possibly leave with a washing machine you never...

I wasn't sure what to expect when coming here as part of a Teide by night excursion. I had read the reviews before coming and was half dreading how it would be. We had vegetable soup and a bread roll for our starter which I cannot particularly fault. Our main meal was chicken schnitzel, canarian potatoes, and steamed vegetables. This was also reasonable however very plain. I had one spoonful of the 'chocolate mouse' dessert with multi coloured sprinkles on top. It was for me inedible.

The restaurant itself can't be based on these reviews as what I hadn't realised before attending the Teide by night three course meal was you will be eating in a canteen like setting. We sat on a round table of 7, 5 of which were strangers. The restaurant is cooking for around 60+ guests at the same time. It did have the feeling of being on a school trip but the difference being for me only knowing one person on it.

There were bottles of red and white wine for every table and if you are quick enough you can also get a glass of lager at the bar, all complimentary of course.

In all the meal really isn't as bad as people make out but I can see why people have come to the conclusion they have. Upon booking the tickets it seems as though you are getting a lavish three course meal before you get to watch the sunset with cava and stargaze, I think if the meal is explained better then the restaurant would receive less negative feedback.

Overall the whole Teide by night experience was something I would 100% do again. I think I would just go for the cava at sunset and stargazing next time and choose where to dine myself before hand.

I would return to eat at this restaurant if I was making the trip up Teide myself and not part of an excursion, as a quick stop to eat and...

Ah, the famed Papillon in Teide National Park! Visited during the 'Teide by Night' experience and it truly was a night to remember. At the first stop, the staff introduced us to their immersive 'Invisible Waitstaff' experience – a unique approach where they completely ignore you, letting you cherish those moments of solitude amidst the crowd - in the end I went to the restaurant across the street.

The décor? A fantastic ode to 'Things Falling Apart From Yesteryears'. It's heartwarming to see them cling to nostalgia so fervently.

Now, the 3-dish menu was a gastronomic odyssey. The soup provided a promising start, like a glimmer of hope in a telenovela. But then, the chicken main course! Oh, what a theatrical downturn – imagine expecting a Shakespearean performance and getting a school play instead. The dessert, thankfully, pulled us back from the brink of culinary despair.

Ah, and how could I forget the pièce de résistance - the butter! It was truly avant-garde. I attached a picture of it because words simply can't do justice to its... uniqueness. It's the kind of butter that makes you ponder the deeper questions of life.

In summary, if you're ever in the mood for some dramatic irony served on a plate with a side of '80s indifference, Papillon is your go-to. It's in a touristy area, so expectations should be managed. And maybe, just maybe, bring your own butter... and bread... and possibly a...