Went to the Valparaiso restaurant for the first time last week and what a difference compared to their Villa Tiberia restaurant in Marbella.
The Brother owners at Valparaiso (VP) and Villa Tiberia (VT) make a point of coming to every table to welcome you to their restaurant and was extremely charming and the perfect host.
We mentioned to the VP owner that we were regular visitors to his brothers restaurant in Marbella and he had recommended us to come and try Valpaiaiso.
As it was our first visit he insisted the first drinks were on the house, a great start to welcome new guests to VP and the ladies were impressed. they also gave us a complimentary round of drinks when we paid the bill.
The waiting area at VP is slightly smaller than the courtyard at VT but has the same relaxing and aromatic ambiance so still all square to this point. As it was a hot evening at VP no diners were eating inside, so everyone was on the terrace
On the menu there is little difference with from memory different great choices and specials at each restaurant.
I'm going to jump a bit here and go straight to the food, the two restaurants have nothing between them when it comes to service and quality of food, both get 10/10 these were the 2 best meals we had on our holiday, and we ate at some great restaurants.
The differences are immediatly apparent when you are led to your table.
At VT you go through into the beautiful gardens, with water features and all superbly lit and sit at large tables on comfortable chairs.........at VP, vhilst the terrace dining area is admittedly smaller the panoramic views if you are near the open end of the restaurant are spectacular, however all the tables were jam packed in around the dancefloor with almost no room for the staff to move around to serve. However the service at VP cannot be complained about.
The major complaint at VP, which if you bare in mind is a long established, successful, expensive and renownd restaurant on the CDS is that we (4 adults) were all sat at a small plastic garden table ideally just for 2 on Plastic patio chairs that can be purchased from Leroy Merlins for no more than 50 euro's a set! Admittedly they are perfectly covered with clean white linen table cloths and chaircovers to disguise the fact, but when you sit down ....you just know!!!
For me this was the only downside to a fantastic evening and i cannot understand why VP dont have real tables and chairs on the terrace. The type of clientel visiting VP are generally the more discerning type, so expect some standards in a quality restaurant.
So if someone asked me for my description of the Valpariso Restaurant it would be:
"One of the best food and dining experiences on the CDS, coupled with a panoramic view, a great singer and music to dance to till late in the night, however, if you want to go on the terrace in the cool air you are crammed in and everyone sits on nicely decorated plastic patio furniture"
I can only assume that everyone that visits VP is happy to accept these small plastic tables and chairs for the culinary delights on offer, however if VT were to ever buy some new tables for their restaurant, perhaps VP would consider taking the old ones off them and giving their diners a truely delightful evening?
Out of 10!
Venue: VP 9 - VT 10
Food: VP 10 - VT 10
Service: VP 10 - VT 10
Entertainment: VP 10 - VT 7
Table Comfort on the terrace VP 6 - VT 10
If you've not been to Valparaiso before please dont let this report put you off as you will be missing a great evening with superb food and entertainment, just be prepared for the shock of the plastic table and chairs.
And certainly go and visit Villa Tiberia.......so thats 2 nights of your holiday sorted
Bon Appertite