El Matador Valencia — Restaurant in Valencia

Sadly we had a not so great meal here today. Had a lunch reservation- got there and they said they weren’t open yet although they had confirmed the time via email. Anyway, we ordered what we had before- the broccoli salad, the small cones with anchovies and the chicken wings. The salad was inedible- soaking in dressing and something must have happened but it was so salty we had to send it back. I never send food back. The wings were fine although very greasy and the cones were great as they were last time we went. We asked for them fix the salad which took a few minutes and by then I wasn’t that hungry anymore so we took it home. It was better but still a bit heavy on the dressing. Then the place got filled with people and we couldn’t here a word anyone was saying. Everyone on the room was yelling and it was very unpleasant. Ordered dessert and then decided to leave early as we couldn’t talk. Waited forever for the dessert which we preferred to cancel but never could get the attention of the server. My friends went outside to wait and it took about 20 minutes for ice cream and bananas- doesn’t make sense. We ate it fast and then waited Another ten minutes for the check. Finally we went up to the bar to pay. All very long and involved and silly. 15 a person for water, chicken wings and inedible broccoli salad. My friends paid for their dessert. Service was all over the place. Noisy beyond belief and not good value. Too bad- it changed dramatically from the first time...

A bit of a hit and miss this one, even if they didn't do anything wrong. The food tries to be "traditional with a modern/fusion twist" but stops short of being either. For example, the ribs where waaay too fatty (almost no meat on them) and the rice was too simple. The hot-dog was nice but sprinkling some black sesame on it does not make it fusion. The service is nice and friendly but the place was surprisingly empty and I think it's a bit too warm inside (we stayed outside so it was ok). Prices are ok and you can definitely eat a lot for your money if that is the goal but to us it didn't feel special at all. Hope to return to an...

El pasado domingo visité este restaurante y mi experiencia fue simplemente excepcional. Desde el momento en que entré, el personal nos atendió con una amabilidad y profesionalismo que hicieron que nos sintiéramos como en casa, explicándonos y proponiendonos su oferta gastronomica centrándose en el interés del cliente. La calidad de los platos es de otro nivel. Cada bocado era una explosión de sabor y se notaba la frescura de los ingredientes, detalle importante fue que tienen oferta gastronómica para celiacos y veganos. Nombro algunos de los platos que comimos que nos gustaron especialmente:

Croqueta asada de pollo con salsa bechamel... Brutal!!

Allitas de pollo ahumadas con salsa de lima.. acabas chupándote los dedos y relamiéndote.

Patatas trufadas con panceta y huevo trufado... que patatas por dios.. caseras y para nada grasas, con un ligero y justo crujiente por fuera.

Provolone con tomate asado.. he comido en muchos sitios este plato, pero me sorprendió gratamente la mezcla de sabor y el horneado, realmente sabroso.

Las hamburguesas.. probamos una de cada de las 2 que hay y la compartimos entre los 4.. espectacular desde la calidad de la carne hasta el pan de brioche.

Terminamos compartiendo un Banofee, con base de galleta, dulce de leche y plátano caramelizado, aunque dijimos que nos lo trajeran sin nata .. no podíamos más pero estábamos felices como perdices.

Por último añadir que a la carta a pesar de que nos es extensa, es fácil acertar con lo que uno pide, ya que toda la selección de platos es una diana.

En cuanto a la relación calidad-precio, quedé gratamente sorprendido. Por la calidad y el esmero en cada detalle, los precios son más que justos. Sin duda, este restaurante se ha convertido en uno de mis favoritos y estoy deseando volver para probar algunos de los platos que me he quedado con ganas de probar. ¡Gracias por una experiencia gastronómica inolvidable...