Reijosfood

When restaurant does not achieve the level they are reaching for…. 😦

Visited Restaurante Messina 2nd time because first experience was quite impressive (see review from last year via link below). Decided to try Menu Messina because 1st time ordered starters, main courses and dessert from a la carte list.

A mistake we should not have made, especially after asking if kitchen could serve one menu without milk products. But waitress took our order anyeay after checking it first from the kitchen if it would be possible.

But, huge mistake from the restaurant concerned 2nd dessert, although our order was accepted. But let’s come back at the end of post and go first through smaller gaps which restaurant trying to reach fine dining level, should really not afford.

Snacks

Layout and looks of snacks were impressive as last time. However, this time restaurant did not serve any greetings from the kitchen which usually starts the dinner. Waitress also explained too quickly how to go through small bites, so we had to partly guess, if we should eat 4th shrimps or marinated fish. So, we asked to get menu list back because it was not left on the table.

When ordering last time starter and main course from a la carte list, we got same type of snacks assortment to start with but it was not one of the a la carte portions. It was before starters.

“Sea snail”

This exotic portion had to be eaten with fingers. Sea snail was not our favourite but maybe because it was quite chewy.

But, we wondered if we should go to wash our hands because restaurant did not provide towels to wipe our hands. If you have studied menu and wine list you might want to eat with clean fingers.

Squid sandwich

Again eating with fingers. Open up the packet and you find the sandwich. Would recommend the restaurant to provide those towels. Sandwich itself was delicious.

Sea urchim mi cuit and celery water

One of the best portions of the menu. Celery water did not include any additives and it was poured by waitress on top of the sea urchim.

Tuna “parpatana” with crispy bread and fresh tomato juice

Again delicious portion. Tomato juice was again poured by waitress on top of tuna and it fresh tomatoes tasted good.

Raw “grilled” crayfish and coconut

Crayfish was grilled from one side maybe 5 seconds but as it was fresh, it also tasted excellent. After eating crayfish waitress poured some fish broth in the coconut bowl. After mixing it with spoon, it changed into delicious fish soup. Well designed two-step portion by the chef, who is quite known in the area.

Barbacued red mullet

Portion was OK, but fish was a little bit over cooked and therefore dry.

Grilled sweetbread with yuzu cream

Rare delicacy but composition of sweetbread did not impress. Maybe it was our personal feeling and someone might like it.

Malaga’s baby goat with pumpkin and mini pickled vegetables

Maybe baby goat should be greasy but this time it did not fit after soft sweetbread. Too close to each other.

But, after finishing so called main courses, one waitress poured 20 cm long, green olive oil trail on the tablecloth while taking oil bowls away. Instead of changing tablecloth she covered the trail with napkin. Easier for the waitress but undesirable for customers.

But, before serving desserts, one waitress put dessert cutleries on the table. Then head waitress removed them, cleaned the table with scraper and put them back. Something had forgotten from the first waitress.

“Spanish French toast” Thai style

Really delicious dessert and other portion was replaced sorbet without milk as was planned.

Yoghurth Chantilly and strawberries

But, then came the disaster! Restaurant had decided not to serve anything to replace the second dessert which included milk products. Waitress did not bother to tell that, just first served the dessert for person without milk product menu and then asked us to share it. She also explained that it does not include milk! We gave dessert back after commenting mistake but restarant served it again, now to me. Asked now what had happened to dessert without milk products. This was the moment restaurant had to tell that nothing was coming. Head waitress asked if she should discuss with the kitchen.

Too late, I said, and asked for check.

But, restaurant first tried to invoice whole value of the menu, but we requested 8€ discount from 78€ menu, which we got after discussion. Picture below is from the dessert we did not eat because milkless second dessert was not served at all.

But, what was also annoying was the habit to serve champagne Dom Perignon Vintage 2003, we had ordered, every 5 minutes. Our dinner was interrupted continually by waitresses pouring noble drink about 2 cl’s at a time. Two times they almost served male first and 1 time they did so. Small thing but should be obvious for this restaurant to serve ladies first.

Messina tries to be fine dining restaurant. Modern decor, menu and appearance of food portions shows this to be true. But too much trying on the service side without properly trained dining room staff, does not carry.

If you decide to try Messina, order separate portions from a la carte list and do not ask changes for portions. Maybe also best time to visit restaurant is outside of main summer holiday season.

REVIEW: FOOD 4-/5 – SERVICE – 2/5 – OVERALL GRADE 2+/5

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