LOVE TO EAT

New restaurants in Marbella are often disappointing and so many shut after being open such a short time that we usually wait a few months before actually eating there. This is what happened with Love to Eat which started out as a takeaway/deli/specialty food store when it opened. I had passed there once to have a look around but didn't buy anything and thought that I would wait a bit before trying it. Well, I'm glad that I finally did.

I had posted about Love to Eat before as one of the few places in Marbella where gourmet goodies could be bought. Recently, they've taken over the space next door to the deli and created a cozy cafe filled with Provencal-style decor where anything from the deli counter can be ordered.

We dropped by for a look last Sunday and I promised myself I would go for a meal this week and I did. Twice. The sun-filled room is a treat for lunch and the food comes quickly. You choose something from the deli-display counter and then sit down and wait to be served by the two friendly, efficient ladies who take care of the cafe area. There's a daily changing selection of salads (tomato mozzarella, pasta, Caesar, couscous), main courses (quiche, fishcakes, poached salmon, chicken in tarragon, roast beef) and cakes (carrot, zucchini, chocolate).

For lunch one day I had the chicken tarragon and celery salad with a small portion of tomato mozzarella salad and a warm vegetable quiche. The following day, I had the roasted chicken with tarragon and cream and a new potato salad. The food is freshly-made and delicious and the portions are just right. The only thing you have to watch out for is ordering too much as it is quite expensive and you could easily spend over 30 euros for a simple lunch of three small dishes with a water and a coffee.

There are also wines and specialty food items for sale including lots of frozen heat-and-eat meals. Another plus is that all wines for sale can be ordered at the cafe for a small corkage fee and since they have an instant wine chiller, you could pick up a nice bottle of white wine to accompany your meal and have it cold in no time.

It's a great little place for a snack or a light lunch and an excellent alternative for those nights when you just can't be bothered to cook or when friends decide to drop by and there's nothing in the fridge. The best part is that, they're open daily from 9:00 for breakfast. After the school drop-off, I know where I'll be going to have my morning cappuccino.

____________________________________

Love to Eat

Blv. Principe Alfonso Hohenlohe

Edif. Centro Expo 10

29600 Marbella

Tel / Fax: 952 77 49 39
email: info@lovetoeat.es