Restaurante La Clandestina — Restaurant in Toledo

I have known Clandestina since my wedding in Toledo in 2016, and the ambience, food and in general staff are wonderful. Except - I was met by a very unhelpful, curt Colombian member of the team who believes in blaming others for her lack of initiative. I made a lunch reservation and arrived early before my guests. She made a fuss because I reserved for 2, but mentioned in the reservation comments, we were 3. Did not book a table for 4, out of consideration so as not to take a bigger table. It was as if I was presenting the biggest problem in the world, to add an extra chair. To top it all off, when my guests arrived, she proceeded to tell them before leading them to our table, that we only had a table for two, that they could not stay since there were not enough chairs (false and embarrassed them and me). Thankfully the rest of staff and team were wonderful, and we stayed, with a bill of over €100.

I called back today, to give this member of the team a chance to explain in person over the phone why she thought this necessary, in case there was a misunderstanding, before posting this review. She was defensive, rude and proceeded to continue to literally shout down the phone. No apology, nothing.

Get some much needed hospitality training. You do not treat people like that. Your attitude and behaviour is not an asset to this establishment. Usted no es una "mandada". Usted puede en TODO momento escojer su actitud, simplemente no sé le dio la gana. El lio qué me armo, hasta lo entiendo por el estres del día. La manera como trató a mis invitados y les dijo qué no se podrian quedar (teniamos las 3 sillas y los 3 puestos y lo vio usted perfectamente), ESO es pesimo uso de razon. No culpa de su jefe, no...

We really wanted to enjoy this experience, especially as it had good reviews, but we were left completely disappointed.

You’d think for 30+eur a person on the lowest end, you’d get food that is actually edible and decent service but nope!

We waited about 20m between 2nd and 3rd course with no explanation. A couple who arrived 20-30m after us were served the 3rd course at the same time. The main aka 4th course was literally inedible (see photo of the gristles we had to chew on and spit out with every bite). Moreover, they didn’t even get our meat preferences right - they gave my partner a medium rare when he ordered a medium, and they gave me a medium when I ordered medium rare. When we informed the waitress of the fact that it’s impossible to chew and neither of us could finish the food, she didn’t offer to replace it, and didn’t even apologize for serving us inedible food?! She just took our unfinished plates away and acted like nothing’s wrong. The dessert was decent but was also very strangely proportioned (see photo), and my partner was served a portion that’s half of what other tables and I were served. Discrimination? Racism? Or just plain incompetency? We can’t say for sure.

All in all, 1 inedible course, 1 half-quantity course, and the other 3 were bland and forgettable at best. Might look pretty but by far the worst meal we’ve had in Spain thus far. Maybe better-suited for influencers with no real taste buds. Try Botero, Dominica or even Maruja instead, at least...

This place is tremendous; an amazing eating experience that makes me wish we were spending another night in Toledo. We showed up, sadly a little underdressed bc the washing machine wasn't functioning, but they graciously said nothing. The terrace is a beautiful, floral space. We had no clue what to really expect, but the restaurant was recommended by a local Spanish friend. We tried the award winning croquettas, the anchovy and the partridge salad to start. The salad was unbelievably good. So pleased. Then we ordered the suckling pig and the Iberian pork loin. Both were excellent. Despite being very full, we had to order the award winning manchego cheesecake. To die for. We arrived at 845 and when we left at 1030 the terrace was mostly full. This is not a tourist spot. But this lucky tourist happened upon it and hope to be back in the future. For $100 euro, we had a delicious feast. This meal in the US would have easily cost...