CANTINA DON RAFAEL — Restaurant in Tías

Pretty place but very disappointing experience. Service was lovely, every staff member were really trying to make our dinner as smooth as possible but the food nor cocktails (margaritas in particular) were not good.

We had tacos which in my opinion were nasty. I love Mexican food and have had plenty of tacos throughout my life, but these were a joke. I had the shrimp ones and you could make much nicer ones at home. Most negative part about them was probably the flour tortillas which had a horrible after taste and were breaking super easily. I didn’t even finish them. And they were extremely overpriced too!!! The sauces that came with food were also nasty, and we didn’t even understand the point of them- 3 sauces were brought with tacos, which wasn’t needed, and they were sort of mojo rojo, verde and some weird sweet cumin Indian-like sauce - none of them were anything like actual Canary sauces.

Moreover, the margaritas. Just don’t order them. I ordered Caribbean margarita, which was actually a pina colada?! On menu it said it had tequila, Malibu and pineapple juice but it came milky like pina colada, and it also tasted like the milk was cows milk, not coconut… Had to return that one. Reordered a classic spicy margarita, they brought a slushy from hell- it had so much red hot sauce, I was unable to drink it, my ears even started ringing. Staff was kind enough to take it away and brought another margarita version, which was strawberry one. That was just another slushy with probably 0 alcohol. Neither of them actually tasted anything like tequila or margarita, and from the beginning they never even asked me if I wanted regular or frozen margarita, even though on menu it said they served both options. And if they don’t ask, I’d expect a normal margarita without tons of ice blended in. It seemed that they do that so they can save on alcohol and make drinks look larger. And not to taste any alcohol in your drink in Spain is abnormal.

Long story short, bartender needs a lesson on what is a margarita, and chefs should taste tacos elsewhere to see what they’re doing wrong.

Unfortunately, this was an embarrassment to a Mexican cuisine. Also,...

First impressions were fantastic. Though after ordering a sangria, I was presented with something that looked like dirty dish water, tasted like soap and presented in a giant bowl/vase/glass full of fruit slices and I mean full! It looked like it had been created by a 13 year old art student. I didn't want to complain as it looked like someone had spent time arranging all of this fruit, I just ordered a beer to go with it. The selection of starters that my friends and I ordered were absolutely amazing. The presentation was beautiful and the taste followed suit. Most enjoyable! The majority ordered the steak from the specials board and after the wonderful starters and the sight of wonderful fayre being taken to other tables we were a little dissapointed when 4 very pale pieces of steak were brought to our table and almost thrown in front of us by a waiter who seemed most offended by the fact that we'd ordered from the specials board. The meat looked a bit more like steak shaped boiled chicken, Wet and bland! accompanied with a small amount of rather limp, unidentifiable, boiled vegetables and a handful of pasty crinkle cut oven chips. TRULY TASTELESS. I almost ordered ketchup but didn't want to offend them anymore than we already had. My colleagues who ordered from the normal menu were treated to char griddled steaks and chicken that were seasoned well and cooked to perfection and placed delicately in front of them on stylish plates that were decorated with crisp el dente vegetables and freshly prepared potatoes by the same waiter, only now he had cheered up somewhat. They were grateful for receiving such a delight of the pallet and eyes and that of which they fully enjoyed eating. Concluding that they shouldn't have specials if they resent putting any care in to serving them. Overall, Great atmosphere, nice surroundings and good food. Just don't order from the specials board....

Attended Don Rafael lastnight (June 2019) after recommendation from a couple staying opposite ourselves. Turned up at the restaurant that was buzzing with energy and music that was basically at full capacity. As soon as we walked into the restaurant we was greeted by a waiter and seated near the grill where we could see the magic in action. Watching the chefs at work was mesmerising especially the head chef who dealt with numerous orders with flair and compassion, we knew we was in the right place! My partner made a special request to have a half chicken in Jack Daniels sauce and the chefs was more than happy to comply, this was beautifully cooked oozing with flavour and tendernous. I then made a special request to have a mixed grill but to swap the lamb for a fillet steak which the waiter and chef was both happy to do so at no extra charge! This was the best mixed grill I have ever had! The amount of food and the quality of the meat was outstanding, and the house sauces to accompany it (Chimichurri & Garlic Mayo) set it all off! The service was outstanding considering how busy they was, and the live entertainment definately put a positive, fun vibe out across the restaurant. The only downside was the only beer on draft being "Tropical" which is definitely not to mine or my partners taste, plenty of bottled beers to choose from however so no need for deduction as it was personal error. Lastly we finished the evening with sharing the Buritto desert, just WOW! This amazing creation was like thick crisp pancake filled with an apple strudle, currents and cinnamon. In total the experience was fantastic, between the taste, presentation and pricing of the food too the ombiance and decor of the the restaurant. Definately highly recommended a must try restaurant...