Dinner at El Cortijo de Ramiro Urb. Guadalmina Baja

by Morris Bishop
(San Pedro de Alcantara)

Some friends of ours from the Emerald Isle were recommended to dine at Ramiro’s and they asked if we would to join them. As we had known Ramiro from way back at the turn of the century when he ran the restaurant in the Guadamina Golf Club, we readily agreed. It would be most pleasant to renew our acquaintance after all these years. On researching his rating, we became even more enthusiastic when we discovered that he was numero uno out of over one hundred in San Pedro!

With our anticipation level high but not knowing what to expect, we enter a very pleasant dining room with 80 covers inside and a further dining area around the pools, giving a total potential to seat 130. Well spaced tables with comfortable chairs and nice place settings, perhaps with lighting a little too bright to create intimacy, and what appeared to be sufficient staff to manage the numbers. After a pleasant reunion with owner Ramiro who was acting as Maitra ‘D,

we eagerly scan the manageable size menu, that had 10 cold starters and 10 Warm dishes on offer from which we chose, French Onion Soup, Pate de Fioe Gras, and Avocado Prawns and nuts in a Marie Rose sauce. All of these were nicely presented, adequate in size and tasteful. Our Mains were half a Duck with an Orange sauce, A red Snapper dish, and Beef Stroganoff. All of these had some measure of disappointment in them, the Duck was very dry, the red snapper, although the fish was delicious, was in a sauce that was not, and my Stroganoff was with thick strips of Beef not the one minute flash fried thin pieces that one Expects. By this time Ramiro had left to supervise a wedding that he was catering for and so we could not raise these issues with him.

With the exception of our waitress Sara who was most helpful, others of the staff (in this writers opinion) were less so. This restaurant has the capacity of being a fine dining experience, but sadly, the experience did not live up to the anticipation.

The V.S.
Ramiro’s can be found in Calle 11 Urb. Guadalmina Baja, From the east go through the San Pedro tunnel and immediately exit from CN 340 direction Guadamina and at the round about take the third exit and at the next round about take the second exit. Then at each of the subsequent junctions follow the sign to Ramiro.
From the west on CN 340 Do Not go through the San Pedro Tunnel, but exit and at the round about take the first exit. then at each of the subsequent junctions follow the sign to Ramiro. Adequate off street parking.
They open for Dinner only. Their day of rest is Sunday. Reservations on 952888077 or 670604392 or email
ramirogagoh@gmail.com average 3 course meal with wine 55€

Bishlin Guide marks out of 5
Ambience:4.5
Food:4
Menu:5
Service:4.5
Value:4
O/A:4.5

Please mention to the restaurateur that the restaurant was recommended in the "MarbellaFamilyFun.com" Newsletter. To see even more reviews on the best restaurants in Marbella, check out The Bishlin Guide.