Closed on Wednesdays
Please note that our restaurant is closed on Wednesdays in low season (from October 1st 2009 till June 15th 2010).
Al Lago restaurant and hotel
A family run establishment overlooking an azure lake below the picturesque pueblo of Zahara de la Sierra. One of Spain's heritage "white villages" Zahara sits in the dramatic landscape of the "Sierra de Grazalema"
a protected nature reserve popular for hiking, birdwatching and paragliding. Within close range are the sherry bodegas of Jerez, the flamenco bars of Sevilla and the historical town of Ronda.
Chef, Stefan Crites, left his native Columbus Ohio in 1992 to persue his culinary career in New York. He spent 12 years honing his craft in the city that never sleeps before moving to Southern Spain with wife Mona to begin the adventure that would lead them to Al Lago.
Once a typical “venta” (Spanish equivalent of a bistro) serving “meat & potatoes”, we are now using fresh locally grown ingredients to re-create rustic andalucian cuisine with a contemporary touch.
We are very proud that tripadvisor clients have recommended our place as 'excellent'. For more tripadvisor ratings, please go to: www.tripadvisor.co.uk/al_lago.html
MENU
Cold starters
small/large
*andalucian style chilled tomato & cucumber soup
5,00
*homemade bruschetta with tomato, avocado & basil
7,50
homemade chicken liver paté with quince jelly & toasts
7,00
Assorted cold tapas: garlic potato salad, marinated anchovies, artichoke salad & local olives
8,75
Al Lago salad: mixed greens with tuna, hard boiled eggs & green beans
8,00
toasted local goats cheese, smoked trout & mixed greens
7,00/9,00
*two types of Zahara goats cheese with quince jelly
6,00/12,00
Iberican cured ham
8,00/16,00
*Suitable for vegetarians
Hot starters and tapas for sharing
spicy, garlic, chilli prawns
9,00
clams steamed in dry sherry with ñora peppers & garlic
9,00
crispy fish brandade parcels
8,00
chicken soup with ham, mint & croutons
4,50
garlic soup with chorizo and poached egg
6,00
*scrambled eggs with grilled vegetables & fresh herbs
8,50
*vegetable pakoras with homemade mint chutney
7,00/10,00
chicken wings with spicy sauce
7,50/10,00
home made creamy chicken croquettes
6,00/10,00
platter of hot tapas (pakoras, wings & croquettes)
18,00
* suitable for vegetarians. (All prices include v.a.t.)
Shellfish, Fish & Paella
chicken & shellfish paella (2 persons minimum)
24,00 (2p)
vegetable paella (2 persons minimum)
22,00 (2p)
(Rice dishes are to order for a minimum of two people)
hake & prawns sautéed in white wine & parsley
13,00
locally farmed trout with almonds and sherry vinegar
12,00
grilled baby calamari served with a sweet chilli sauce
11,00
See our specials page for more fish dishes
Chef´s signature meat dishes
slow roasted leg of lamb with couscous & almonds
18,00
prime char-grilled ribeye steak with saffron sauce
24,00
barbecued baby chicken with Moroccan spices
12,00
Iberican pork cheeks with wine, herbs & fried leeks
13,00
Char-grilled & Braised Meats
barbecued pork belly
12,50
pork tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce
14,00
fillet of beef with caramelised onions
16,00
Grilled baby lamb chops
15,00
grilled chicken breast
10,00
All main dishes come with either fries or sautéed potatoes & vegetables
Homemade Desserts
Special tart of the day
5,00
summer berry ice cream sundae
4,75
orange scented crème caramel
4,00
rich chocolate tort
4,50
classic catalan style custard with bruléed topping
4,00
seasonal fruit plate
5,00
selection of cheeses with apples & quince jam
7,00
Chilled custard topped with biscuit
3,50
Ice Creams
Whiskey flavoured ice cream cake
4,50
lemon sorbet served inside a lemon shell
4,50
Irish or calypso coffee
4,00
We also have a selection of Nestlé ice creams & lollies
(all prices include v.a.t.)
Specials
Daily specials play an important role at Al Lago. We concentrate on using seasonal and often organic ingredients, fresh herbs, spices and a variety of vegetables and lettuces appear throughout the menu. Our personal history and cultural backgrounds also influence our interpretation of Spanish cuisine and allows the chef to get creative.
We offer a seven course chef's tasting menu, with optional wine pairings, on Friday and Saturday nights by reservation.
(this is an example, our specials change on a daily bases)
Zahara salad with blue cheese, nuts & fresh oranges
7,50
Crispy fried avocado with cherry tomatoes
5,75
Beef carpaccio with a mustard vinaigrette
7,50
Garlic butter snails in their shell
6,00
Whole grilled sea bream stuffed with herbs
13,00
Nile river perch & shellfish in a spicy saffron,
tomato broth with garlic aioli
14,00
Barbecued pork belly
11,00
Country style rabbit risotto with rosemary & snails
12,50
Seared duck breast with malaga wine & fresh oranges
15,00
Dessert
(run from 3,75 to 5,00)
Black fig beignets with pineapple,
Vanilla ice cream sundae with organic berries,
Chocolate tort,
NY style cheesecake,
Crème brulee,
Hazlenut meringue with strawberries & ice cream
Orange crème caramel,
Whisky flavoured ice cream cake
WINE LIST
Berberana Dragon crianza | cabernet sauvignon y tempranillo
Smooth red with hint of berry
12,00
Rioja
Beronia 2004 crianza | mazuelo y tempranillo
soft wine with woody taste of forest fruits & barrel ageing
16,00
½ 8,50
¼ 4,00
Marques de Caceres 2003 vendimia seleccionada
elegant ruby coloured wine from Spain´s celebrated vineyard
18,00
½ 9,50
Remelluri 2000 reserva
rich, slightly smoky wine with complex finísh
28,00
Marques de Murrieta Ygay 1999 reserva | tempranillo y garnacha
23 months ageing in American oak lends a bold flavour
and deep cherry colour to a spectacular wine
29,00
Vinos de Ronda
Príncipe Alphonso de Hohenlohe 2003 reserva privada | syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot
full body accompaniment for red meat
14,00
Schatz coupage 2001 vino ecologica crianza | trollinger, tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon
recently named ¨sexiest wine¨, An elegant, excellent organic blend
28,00
Ribera del Duero
Viña Mayor 2001 crianza
well balanced flavour, light tanins with promise of maturity
18,00
½ 9,50
Caramimbre 2002 crianza
dark cherry colour with hints of warm, ripe fruit
24,00
Protos 2002 crianza
a grand wine with tones of dense berry fruit & a peppery kick
28,00
White and Rose wines
Tierra blanca Cádiz
refreshing light wine with a hint of raisin
12,00
glass 2,75
Barbadillo Cádiz
crisp, easy on the palate local wine
13,00
glass 3,00
Fontal La Mancha
| sauvignon blanc y verdejo
pale straw colour, freshness of citrus balanced with wildflowers
12,50
Baron de Ley Rioja
golden viura grapes give a good structure and clean taste
16,00
Segral Albariño Riax Baixas
wonderful lively albariño with hints of apple
18,00
Peñascal
slightly sparkling, fruity wine
11,00
Baron de Ley Rioja
slightly spicy wine with a clean finish.
15,00
Marques de Riscal Rioja
delicious and recommended with our paella!
14,00
Puddings
Mincemeat and apple turnovers with brandy butter
Toffee tart with caramelised bananas
Panetonne ice cream sundae with caramelised chestnuts
-- Coffee and liqueur --
45.00 euros per head includes a 3 course meal, starting with a glass of cava and jamon iberico and ending with coffee, liqueur and Christmas crackers.
A children´s menu for under 8´s will be available.
Please let us know if you require a vegetarian option for your main course.
It is advisable to book as early as possible.
Chef´s Tasting Menu
Local green olives stuffed with marinated anchovies
Garlic soup with chorizo
Crispy cod brandade parcel
Fillet of seabream with saffron sauce
Braised Iberican pork cheeks
Seared duck breast with Malaga wine reduction & fresh oranges
Zahara goat´s cheese stuffed dates
Rich chocolate torte with berry sauce
Price per person: 36,00. With wine pairings: 48,00
This is an example of a tasting menu.
Please note that it changes weekly
