Cañadío — Restaurant in Santander

This review refers solely to the service. We made a reservation at this restaurant the day before our planned visit, booking by phone as online reservations were unfortunately not available. Shortly after, I received a message with a link to confirm the booking. I clicked on it, but apparently did not complete the process fully — most likely because the instructions were entirely in Spanish, a language I do not speak.

When our party of seven arrived at the reserved time on August 6, we were informed that our table had been canceled due to an incomplete confirmation. Instead of offering assistance or a possible solution, the host greeted us with an unwelcoming and aggressive attitude, making remarks that I found unnecessarily rude and unprofessional.

There is a saying: “A theatre begins with the cloakroom.” In this case, the restaurant’s “cloakroom” — its very first point of contact with guests — is far from the level one would expect.

Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to experience the restaurant’s cuisine. However, I find it unacceptable for any establishment — especially one with Michelin recognition — to treat guests in this manner. Hospitality should be at the core of such a restaurant’s values, and I hope management takes this feedback seriously to ensure future guests are treated with the respect...

Standing at the bar, in amongst a crowd of locals, you vie for the attention of one of the harried staff members. No more than three people at any time grace that desk, and split their attention between dishwashers, archaic billing systems with receipts in triplicate, and avoiding eye contact at all cost. The rest of the staff are no doubt serving the guests dining in their restaurant proper, contending with aristocracy that reserved months in advance. In contrast, we peasants desperately wave our hands hoping to entrap bar staff. But occasionally, you catch one, and they frantically take your order, pour out a drink, and throw a slice of heaven your way. And then it was all worth it. The best Spanish tortilla I've ever tasted, and second place wasn't even close. Probably the best tarta de queso of the roughly 20 I tried across northern Spain as well.

Needless to say, the staff grew to recognise our hopeful faces among the desperate throng of people. Because we went there all three days we spent in Santander. And ordered the same...

A very easy 5/5.

We were lucky to get a reservation for 8:30pm the same night when we visited during siesta, judging by how busy it was later on I assume we got a late cancellation.

The menu is excellent, and whilst we’d have been happy with Spanish menus we were pleased to be given English ones.

My starter, cheese cut with honey and truffle is one of the best starters I’ve ever had. The croquettes (starter) and the ribs (main) were also amongst the best food we’ve eaten.

The wine list is great, plenty of options and even has 1/2 bottles which is great for us who prefer different wines (red and white).

Dessert was a struggle, only because we had eaten so much already, but we waited a few minutes and ordered the cheesecake. As with the other courses, it was genuinely one of the best we have eaten.

Consistent brilliance from the food here, we loved this restaurant.

Inside got extremely busy, it looked like a lot of people were taking tortilla plates away to eat outside - we’ll be back to try the tortilla before...