While researching for our first trip to Nerja, Spain in 2015 I found dozens of restaurants, but one stood out for me and that was Sollun. We must have visited eight or nine times during the course of our time spent in Nerja over the past two years. We returned on Monday evening last, after a twelve month hiatus. Owned and run by Head Chef Juan Quintanilla, it is a fine-dining restaurant with Michelin Bib Gourmand status, and a casual and friendly atmosphere.
His style of cooking is precise and refined with meticulous attention to flavour and detail. The Menu Degustación (Tasting Menu) which we ordered, is simplistically described – Snacks, Bread and Olive Oil, Starter, Fish, Meat, Dessert. It is far from simple! When this is ordered, he checks with the diners regarding allergens and personal likes/dislikes, and presents a meal derived from the main menu and also a few tweaks and surprises. He takes the time to serve the dishes himself and explains each element on the plate.
Our meal, as ever, was a delight, and the following is an overview of what we enjoyed. Having said that, some of the items may not be to everyone’s taste, but each to their own.
Snack – “Paella” – a Prawn cracker, made from prawn heads, pea purée, and mussel purée – A clever take on elements of Paella in Amuse Bouche form
Bread and Olive oil – In-house made toasted sesame bread sticks, white rolls, sea salt and a delicious local olive oil
Starter – Veal Sweetbreads, Artichokes and a Wild Mushroom Sauce
Fish – Grouper, Fideua (Spanish pasta) with squid ink, lobster sauce and pea purée, garnished with dehydrated carrot
Meat – Lamb with polenta cubes, aubergine and pumpkin purée
Dessert – Black Pepper Meringue, Vanilla Ice Cream, Raspberry sorbet, blueberries and a blackcurrant gel
Petit Fours – Chocolates with passion fruit centre
The Tasting menu we had costs €40, and an extra €16 with the wine paring (which my Husband opted for). Our bill, with some Cava and a Double Espresso, came to €120. Exceptional value for what we had. If you have a special occasion or a little room in your holiday budget, I would highly recommend a visit if you are in Nerja.
