Restaurante La Ventana — Restaurant in Santander

In Santander for a couple of nights. It is a place we have been through many times, always just to board or disembark the ferry, and have always thought, while enjoying the scenic views from the ferry, it is a place we should visit properly. And we are not disappointed! Santander is a very classy place, and has some very good restaurants. So when it came to chosing one for our 2nd night, we turned to the public ratings guide on social media, and picked Restaurant la Ventana. I recall it as being listed as #1 of six hundred plus restaurants, but that was not the reason we chose it. What sealed the deal for us was looking at their web site, and deciding that their menu contains dishes which would suit the tastes of the 4 of us. I made the reservation some 4 hours before the reserved time, and at first it seemd that we were not going to be able to get in, but after some pleading, our reservation was confirmed!

I am always influenced by the welcome I get when entering any establishment vying for my hard earned cash, and this was probably the most friendly, efficient and caring welcome ever experienced. We arrived 45 minutes prior to our reservation time, thinking we would find somewhere for an aperatif, so were delighted when we were shown to the garden at the rear of the restaurant. And we were not alone! Many diners were seated at the various tables,enjoying cocktails long before their reserved times, and all situated to respect social distancing. With impecible timing we were attended to by a helpful and attentive member of staff, who took our orders. So, off to a good start. Shown to our table, again, spaced to respect social distancing, in one of the three dining areas, all spotlessly clean, we were soon attended to by Isabel, who " walked" us through the menu, including the 'specials of the day". An extensive menu, you will find something that suits you. We chose a smoked salmon starter for the 4 of us, marinated in a house dressing of vinaigrette and fresh tomatoes, herbs and mayonnaise. Divine! Solomios cooked to perfection for 3 of us, and monk fish - the entire fish! - for one were the main dishes, accompanied by 2 excellent wines, one Alberino and one Ribero del Duero. Service throughout was impressive -not overly attentive but always there when required. Eva, the other waitress who attended to us was also first rate. We declined the offer of postres, and completed the meal with coffee. Prices were more than reasonable for such an incredible experience - one you should consider when visiting Santander. The restauraunt is around 13 minutes by taxi from the centre of the city. Now we know why Restaurante La Ventana holds down #1 spot in Santander! Thank you to all who made this such a memorable...

A good meal but not excellent. For a bit more than €40/person I had expected more especially as we mainly ate bonito which is a very cheap fish (at this time of year), we shared two starters & two deserts with limited drinks (with four of us eating). The chipirones a la plancha were excellent as was the Tataki de bonito.

I eat quite a lot of sushi but I hadn't expected the bonito & atun to be quite so rare, although the bonito a la plancha was returned to be cooked further without any issue.

Good service/attention.

I have only awarded 4*'s as there are a number of other restaurants in Santander where, in my experience/opinion, it is possible to eat as well for a price at...

Bueno por empezar por algo comentar que la comida que elegimos en general estaba rica pero…..los detalles también cuentan a la hora de elegir un sitio para comer y a la hora de valorarlo aquí.

No es que sea el único restaurante que tiene el tipo de prácticas que pondré a continuación pero bueno, ellos sabrán. Yo desde luego no creo que vuelva.

1- Fuimos 14 personas, y de entrantes nos sacaron varios tipos de platos diferentes algunos más ricos que otros pero en general de sabor estaban buenos. Por comentar los platos principales decir que en el de pescado el relleno estaba un poco seco y el pescado un pelín pasado. En el de carne, el acompañamiento que llevaba de patata y queso estaba muy mazacote, pesado de comer.

2- De los entrantes me gustaría comentar algo sobre las cantidades. Imaginar tres grupos, dos de 5 personas y otro en el centro de 4. Pues bien, en todos los entrantes nos sacan 3 platos con la misma cantidad. Solo en el entrante de buñuelos de bacalao sacaron una cantidad suficiente que permitió comer a todos los comensales lo mismo. En el resto era imposible repartir las cantidades entre los comensales y que todos comiéramos lo mismo. Por si acaso, comentar que en el plato de los comensales del centro no había más cantidad de lo normal si es la manera en la que quieren justificarse. Podría dar más detalles de esto pero no lo veo necesario.

No es que nadie en la mesa se dedicara a repartir, pero uno ya es perro viejo y cuando va por primera vez a un sitio también se fija en estos detalles.

3- El postre ni fu ni fa, comimos torrija y de sabor normal, nada del otro mundo y de cantidad, escaso, muy escaso.

4- El servicio de los camareros correcto.

5 - Ambiente normal, nada especial.

Por finalizar, se pagó por 14 personas y los entrantes que nos pusieron eran únicamente para que comieran 12. Cambien este tipo de...