James F.
Google
A really enjoyable experience! Having dined here during the off-season a few weeks ago, the restaurant was quiet and accommodative. With a stunning front-row seat to the beach, I'm sure it would be a stunning place to enjoy a lunch at, although we dined in the evening when it was already dark. Chef Moreno utilises quality local ingredients to bring together a really comprehensive tasting menu that gives a nice overview of Asturian cuisine. When compared to fine-dining restaurants of a similar calibre in Asturias though, I felt that it was lacking in terms of versatility and execution in their variety of dishes. Having said this, each dish was still excellent and showed great technique, the deconstructed apple tart for dessert was an especially well-executed concept. The only dish I outright couldn't appreciate were the petit fours at the end, as a few of them tasted store bought. I also appreciated that Chef Moreno presented dishes that he thoroughly wanted to present, especially the abstract eel ice cream. While I didn't particularly enjoy this dish, I commend Chef Moreno for putting such a bold and polarising dish on his tasting menu, as I'm sure many diners enjoyed it.
The star of the show however, certainly was our waiter, Samuel. He has a fantastic presence and a personality that would light up a room. Myself and my partner came to Ayalga to celebrate our anniversary and Samuel immediately made us feel that we were at home. He prefaced our meal by assuring us that even though this was a fine dining restaurant, he didn't want us to take it too seriously and that we can relax and have fun. I appreciated this sentiment as although I have dined at many restaurants of a similar quality, it is always preferred to have a relaxed atmosphere as opposed to a rigid and sterile one. I also really appreciated Samuel's recommendation of the iced cider (sidra de hielo), it is now a new favourite treat of mine and I've introduced it to many folks back in Ireland! I also appreciated his knowledge towards every dish, even detailing how the terrarium beneath the salmon is refreshed each day, and this was a standout dish to me. Honestly, out of every fine-dining restaurant I have dined at, I would confidently say that Samuel provided the best service I have ever received and I hope he is recognised for his hard work, as he is really fantastic at what he does.