Andalucia – Tapas & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Arun

Myself, my partner and our son visited Andalucia in the evening of Friday 18th January...This was our first time here and we were very impressed with the stunning decor and ambience of this beautiful restaurant....We were warmly welcomed upon our arrival by friendly, well presented Front of House staff...and then shown to our lovely table....Our waiter was Joe...He was engaging and made us feel very comfortable...Joe was more than happy to answer any questions we had and was knowledgable and happy to recommend various tapas and suggested 2-3 dishes per person would be ideal...When our food arrived...we were blown away by the presentation of it...Joe’s recommendations clearly show his passion for the menu and restaurant...Everything we ordered was colourful and full of flavour...It’s impossible to choose a favourite as every dish was exceptional!...We ordered Calamares...(Calamari)...Gambas Pil Pil...(Tiger Prawns, Garlic and Chilli)...Costillas (Pork Belly Ribs)...Pollo con Manchego (Chicken with Melted Manchego Cheese)...Chorizo...Albondigas...(Beef and Pork Meatballs)....A dish from the ‘Specials Menu’...Rib Eye Pinchitos...(Rib Eye Skewers)...Pisto Andaluz...(Pepper with Med Veg and Goats Cheese)...and Berenjenas Malaguenas...(Crispy Aubergine and Honey)... My son and I even managed to squeeze in dessert!...Chocolate Cheesecake and Vanilla and Passion Fruit Cheesecake...both served with the most exquisite Vanilla ice cream...Our overall experience at Andalucia was just superb...I am ex First Class Trained British Airways Longhaul Cabin Crew of 15 years......and still work in Hospitality currently as Front of House...so I do think I have a fairly critical eye when it comes to Customer Service and Restaurants in general...I can honestly say that the overall experience at Andalucia was faultless!...We cannot...

I’m a new resident in Worthing West Sussex and I’m also a campaigner for the vulnerable. I’ve booked a table at this beautiful looking restaurant which I visited for the first time last week and met the staff were lovely so I chose to book a table for the first time and it was a special occasion. We arrived 15 minutes before to enjoy sitting in the bath and as soon as we arrived we were told I couldn’t bring my dog in I asked if I could sit in the bar at the front where there was 53 tables and I spoke to the people sitting in the bar said would you mind if we sat on it with our dog Teddy who is actually wearing a muzzle and he is a therapy dog as I suffer severe stress and anxiety which they applied to a more than happy however a member of staff said no so you can’t bring your dog in they’re not allowed I asked to speak to the manager who also said that dogs were not allowed to which I replied that I was happy to sit in the bar area with my partner and Teddy who is muzzled and that the members of the public were sitting about more than happy he refused. I told him as a campaigner for vulnerable people he didn’t listen pure ignorance and arrogance as far as I’m concerned so I left feeling deflated let down discriminated against as a vulnerable person a new resident. I won’t be returning it’s a shame because I like to support the local community and independence and I’m raising my profile in the area to support vulnerable people this is typical ignorance and arrogance against vulnerable people I’m very disappointed that in 2022 there are such people that have such short minded opinions your loss because I was going to offer my services as a performer to sing in your restaurant and bring a lot of custom and raise your profile with my Photographer what goes around...

I’ve eaten here a few times in the past three years and enjoyed it. Today was not so great and I felt it was important to highlight the highs and lows.

Having booked a table for two a few days earlier, there was only space in the bar area for the time we wanted, 18:45, and we sat in the corner near the sliding door.

Good points - great decor and as always the food was really tasty. we also enjoyed the Spanish music which added to the atmosphere that was probably lacking in the main restaurant area.

Negative points - we ordered six dishes shortly after our drinks arrived. The first dish arrived within 15 minutes and then we had to wait nearly 45 minutes for the next four dishes. By then we were getting cold, hungry and wondering why it took so long. The last dish, patatas bravas (fried potatoes) finally arrived when we were halfway through eating the other 4 dishes.

Because we were in the corner near the sliding door, there was regularly people walking in and out to the restaurant area. Ordinarily this is not a problem, but it was freezing cold and most people are mindless and wouldn’t shut the door. This started to become really annoying.

It would be really helpful to ensure there is a clear sign on the glass door that says “please close the door” to ensure the comfort of all the other guests.

I suspect we will eat here again and hope the next occasion will more keeping with our previous...