What might seem almost a contradiction is our new tasting menu. A contradiction in that there is still a credit crisis going on and our Crunch menu proves to be ever popular.
However there are groups of people, visitors and residents alike who occasionally want to “push the boat out” and indulge in the best of Spanish food. It is also a way for our team, headed by Carmen Muñoz to show just what they can do.
During the winter our tasting menus have proved a popular way to sample a wide variety of dishes from our menu and we are hoping to keep them going during the summer. However due to the pressure it places on the kitchen at busy times, we will have to restrict it to just one version, the six-course special at 28€. We will also need at least two people on the table ordering it at the same time.
Our credit crunch lunchtime menu for 7.50€ is still going strong.
Sometimes called Crazy Golf, it is now available at Cantueso. The first part of our course is complete and will provide hours of fun for both children and adults. You may play as many times as you wish, free of charge, during your stay. Unfortunately it is only available to guests staying in one of our self catering cottages.
Not many mini golf courses have views like this!
No not an anagram but reference to our feathered friends the Nightingales return visit. As other years they are nesting close by and will entertain diners on the terrace both by day and night. The Spanish name is Ruiseñor or Mr Noisy which seems a little unfair!
Still on the nature front we also had a rare event last week when over three thousand Flamingoes landed on the the lake. A case of mistaken sat nav as they normally go to The Pink Lagoon near Antequera for breeding.
While we sit enjoying the hot sun and sights of the Costa del Sol it is easy to forget that behind the scenes there will be an even hotter kitchen brigade sweating to get our food to the table.
Our team is no exception and after a hot summer with long hours and little free time, we decided our chefs deserved a little pampering. They were therefore invited to a break in the UK, which included the usual sightseeing around London and also an opportunity to investigate other cuisines.
Our photo shows the trio about to dine at the last, but not least, of their London restaurant visits. It was on the “Chef’s Table” in the Michelin starred Gordon Ramsay restaurant at Claridge’s Hotel. Our head chef Carmen Muñoz commented, no doubt tongue firmly in cheek: “The ten course, six hour lunch was a struggle but we managed!”
They are now back on duty at Cantueso with batteries recharged and ready to give us all the fine Spanish food we have come to appreciate.
Photo left to right: Joel Falcone, Carmen Muñoz-Sanchez (Head Chef) and Lucia Porras-Ortigosa.
Carmen and her team at Claridges
Could be the sound of the credit crisis, but more likely diners enjoying our latest offer:
Lunch for 7.50€ or 10.50€
Two or three courses from our special lunchtime menu. The menu changes almost daily and is available Tuesday to Saturday. À la carte menu available as usual.
May not be combined with any other offers.
We decided it was better to give kids a Yo Yo when they have finished their meal rather than a sticky lollipop. Only problem now seems to be that fathers think they are still yo yo champions!
Balcony View
Well, if not better, more easily seen as we have installed a telescope on the Bandstand terrace.
On special occasions we have cooked Paella to order for a few guests but never had it on the menu as a regular dish.
This is due to the preparation and cooking time. However feedback indicates that lovers of Paella would be willing to order when booking a table and understand that it takes 30 to 40 minutes to cook. Therefore we now offer this classic dish to all. Either: Vegetable, Seafood, or mixed Paellas cooked for a minimum of two people.
We now offer gift vouchers that might help to say “thank you” on occasions or to solve some of those present giving problems, in values of 10, 20, or 30 Euros. They can be used for drinks, meals or accommodation at Cantueso.
Nicky Scott, Cantueso's owner with head chef Carmen Muñoz-Sanchez
Our Head Chef Carmen Muñoz Sanchez has been with us since April 2007 and is responsible for our seasonal à la carte and daily specials menu. After gaining her professional qualifications in Malaga’s top catering college, Carmen had several years’ experience in five star hotels in Marbella (including Hotel Puente Romano a leading Hotel of the World) and a restaurant in St Cyprien France, before returning to her home village of Periana.
Her creative flair and delicate touch can be witnessed in many of our traditional Spanish dishes, which she presents in such an inviting way. Hopefully you will find plenty on our Mediterranean menu to tempt you and your waistline, and for true lovers of Paella it is available, but only if ordered in advance. We would also strongly recommend a plate of Tapas (several items which change almost daily) as a starter or snack; an excellent way to savour Spanish cooking. And what better way to round off a meal than a “selection of puddings” – ideal for people that find choosing only one just too difficult!
