EL ANCLA

Another beautiful sunny winter's day on the aptly named Costa del Sol and reason enough to head out for an al fresco lunch. El Ancla was on our list of restaurants to try since the summer but the last two times we went, it just wasn't meant to be - once in August, we went on a Monday evening with visiting friends Kira and Ole and the restaurant was closed then a few Sundays back, we arrived to a packed restaurant with no free tables at all. Yesterday, we were determined to eat there and so we arrived early, around 1 p.m., and were given one of the outdoor tables alongside the large seawater pool.

The menu at El Ancla is limited and concentrate on fresh seafood - mussels, clams, prawns and even fresh lobster in a tank right near the entrance. There is a long bar with a view of the kitchen and where tapas and drinks can be had then there are two large seating areas - one indoor area overlooking the pool and garden and another with large glass panels that open directly onto the Mediterranean. These coveted tables are almost always reserved especially for Sunday lunch so better book ahead if you want to sit here.

We decided quickly - the usual gampas pilpil for J with some fries, a large salad of lettuce, avocados, palm hearts, onions and cucumbers to share followed by some steamed mussels and a paella negra (rice cooked in squid ink) with monkfish and prawns. The food came quickly - the mussels were fresh and sweet while the prawns were garlicky and just spicy enough. The paella was very good and was filled with chunks of monkfish, bits of squid and lots of prawns and was served with alioli (garlic mayonnaise). Dining al fresco in winter is such a treat and on a cloudless sunny day, what better way to enjoy the weather than fresh seafood with the sea at your feet.

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El Ancla

Avenida de Carmen Sevilla, 1

Beach Linda Vista

San Pedro de Alcántara
29670 Málaga
Tel: +34 952 787 496