El Aljibe — Restaurant in Medinaceli

There is a rebellion going on in Spain right now (I thought it was only in Barcelona but I was wrong). In the last few restaurants we've been to, we've been made to wait much longer than locals (or at least Spanish speaking customers). My wife tries to speak the locall language with a smile and tries to order our meal as such. We have been paying particular attention lately about the neglect in service and this restaurant took no exception, but took it to the next level. Besides being served after other guests (spanish speaking) our portions were also smaller (break basket and steak which was half the thickness - no lie!!!). We are also not a fan of this french frys as a side dish (see pic). I'm from the U.S. and I am NOT a fan of French fries. Period! They are way over used. If I am going to have potatoes as a side dish I much prefer oven roasted potatoes with rosemary (lightly brown on the outside and moist and tender on the inside). But to top off tripe with french fries is just disgusting. I find French fries is a child's side dish ( can't get your kids to choose green beans over french fries, right? I get it! But my kids will because my green beans are amazing and they don't get a choice of french fries at home (or at restaurants). They do but not often. So, this practice is simply child like behavior from a chef that should know better. I understand that Portughese and Spaniards think that vegetables should be served at home and when out, you order french fries, but that concept does not fly with me for 2 reasons. (1) I'm on vacation for 3 weeks. I'm not eating vegetable for 3 weeks? I don't think so. French fries are extremely unhealthy and (2) don't try to BS me. French fries are easy! Throw the frozen package in oil and throw it at your customers cause they are too stupid to know better. Well, not me. I'll pass. Tripe is an old dish and I've never prepared it with french fries and I would definitely never throw them on the plate over tripe. I'm never that...

Una experiencia completamente satisfactoria, es decir, un sitio agradable, unos platos excepcionales y una atención magnífica y todo ello sumado merece nuestra mejor calificación.

Reservamos por teléfono ya un poco tarde pero con mucha amabilidad nos dan reserva para la primera que se libere. Efectivamente, al poco de llegar nos sientan en una mesa muy cómoda. Siguiendo las inclinaciones de otra clienta que alababa el cardo en salsa de almendras lo elegimos como primer plato. Se quedó corta. Nada más probarlo nos asomo a la faz un gesto de sorpresa y deleite. Un sabor suave y exquisito nos hizo exclamar a mi mujer y a mi, un alegre gesto de placer. Sabor único y extraordinario. Nos lanzamos a una sensación de euforia gastronómica que nos confirmaba nuestro pleno acierto. El segundo plato consistió un Maigret de Pato con una salsa deliciosa y rodajas de mandarinas con patatas fritas naturales. La preparación y el sabor de nivel más que superior. Mi plato fue un entrecot de lomo a la brasa que desde el primer bocado me hizo conocer el exquisito sabor de una ternera de una calidad extraordinaria. Pocas veces pruebas ese sabor de carne y cuando te llega, inmediatamente sabes que estás ante una carne de una calidad superior. Déjate de Angus , Waiyu y carnes con etiqueta. En la mayoría de los sitios ya tienes estás marcas pero no este bouquet y sabor. Ya lanzados a esta extraordinaria experiencia gastronomica, nos pedimos de postre muy raramente ejecutado con autenticidad. Me refiero al Tiramisu. La valoración de esta versión alcanzaría el 7,5 de 10. Estaban alli todos los sabores de un tiramisu, si bien no había bizcocho de soletilla, el licor no era Fra Angélico pero si tenía Cacao. Estaba el delicado punto del merengue+clara batida con la densidad oportuna. El formato de tarta se aleja un poco de el autentico tiramisu, pero en todo caso un postre delicioso.

Si os podéis permitir un viaje a Medinaceli, no os perdáis una visita al restaurante el Aljibe y por supuesto, regalos un detenido paseo por el pueblo, que no os defraudará.

Por cierto, tiene un parquing justo al lado de su famoso...

Great place en route between Madrid and Barcelona. Small historical village up in the mountains with easy access from A-2 and with good parking. Had a great 3-course lunch menu with drinks with the family of four for € 20,-/pp. Excellent home made food with rich taste and all dishes where fantastic and the menu selection wide with 5-6 options. Especially good was the Garlic Soup (Sopa Castellana) and the Cheese cake. Well worth a visit and nice to take a small stroll in the village...