Springy

S had to go to Málaga to catch his flight to the UK, so since it wasn't till late afternoon we decided to make a day of it and go for lunch. We went on the bus because driving and parking in Málaga is not fun, and while the bus takes longer it's cheap.

We'd hoped to go to our favoured modern tapas place, UveDoble, but when S rang yesterday they were already full. We were glad about that because as a result we went to a place I'd found during my googling, El Tapeo de Cervantes.

This is now our new favourite (well, certainly on a par with UveDoble). We got there when it opened at 1 pm so we were the only customers, although four more people came in later. This was in a quiet street just a minute's walk away from the packed touristy bars at the top of Calle Larios. For our first dish we chose tataki of tuna with ajo blanco (a creamy sauce/soup made of almonds and garlic). We thought we'd died and gone to heaven. After that Iberian pork with roast squash and pineapple which was merely good. Then S chose chipirones (squid) with spinach and toasted black rice. I don't even like chipirones (at least I thought I didn't) and these were divine (extra). Finally jamón with artichokes, asparagus, and a drizzle of porra (a soup similar to gazpacho).  Small amounts of lovely food that just left room to share a dessert of small pancakes rolled round dulce de leche.

The waiter was initially quite gruff, but as the words estupendo, riquisimo, and exquisito were repeatedly used he became wreathed in smiles and when I ordered a second glass of wine, he left me the end of the bottle, which I donated to S. The bill was twice yesterday's, but worth every penny.

We rolled happily out at about half past two, just as a taxi was passing, so S grabbed it. I strolled up the road to the huge plaza de la Merced, another tourist hotspot heaving with people eating and drinking. A group of young men were practising hip-hop moves in the park in the centre, and later they started performing for the customers on the cafe terraces (blip). On a lovely sunny day it was a great place to hang out and people watch. Do click right from here for a few more photos of Málaga in the sunshine.

I then took a slow wander back down to the bus stop at the port, pausing for photos on the way. Although I didn't do very much apart from eat lunch, it was a nice relaxing day out.