Eat Local: Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta, Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands (Spain)

Restaurants line a street in Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria in the Canary Island

 

We embarked on this journey (heading down the west coast of Africa) in Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands (part of Spain) – our second visit there on the ship in 2018.  [See our previous blogs “Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (2018)”, “Eat Local: Las 6 Calabazas (tapas), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands”, and “Eat Local: Ô Soleil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands”].  The capital of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, Las Palmas is a major warm weather and beach tourist destination from Europe, especially in the winter months as visitors escape the colder weather on the Continent.  Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and multiple architectural styles reflect centuries-old Atlantic and Latin American ties in Las Palmas’ oldest neighborhood, Vegueta (Old Town).  The old quarter offers much to visitors walking the streets — historic squares; Catedral de Santa Ana (Santa Ana Cathedral), the first church in the Canary Islands; tapas from outdoor cafés; shopping for fresh fish, meats, fruits and vegetables at Mercado de Vegueta; and dining and nightlife along Calle Mendizábal and Calle Pelota.

 

The restored entry-way to Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

While we were perusing the menus, we were served the fixings for “bruschetta” – the garlic was rubbed onto the toasted bread, then some olive oil was poured on, then slices of tomato topped with sea salt and olive oil (delicious!) — Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

We took advantage of our short time in port to visit a well-stocked HiperDino superpmercado (supermarket) and the local central produce and meat and fish market, Mercado de Vegueta in the old quarter (Vegueta).  With good friends from the ship, we ventured back to the narrow streets of Vegueta to have our main meal of the day mid-afternoon at Restaurante Fabio Santana on Calle Montesdeoca.  Since the time we enjoyed a wonderful luncheon there several years ago (the restaurant then was named Casa Montesdeoca), the restaurant has new ownership and a talented new chef and we very much enjoyed the new menu and Spanish-fusion cuisine reflecting influences from France, Italy and Japan. Note that the four of us dined family style, sharing all the courses pictured below (except the goat taco which served just one).  We highly recommend a luncheon or dinner there!

 

The dining tables are under the balcony of the courtyard at Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

An appetizer of croquettes (left-to-right: ham, spinach and fish), Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

An appetizer of a goat taco, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

An appetizer of octopus terrine with potato salad, to be eaten with a touch of the olive oil sorbet, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

An appetizer of warm prawn salad, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

An appetizer of crab raviolis with basil-lime sorbet, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

Following a delicious Spanish white wine from the Rioja region with the appetizers, we enjoyed an excellent Ribera del Duero red wine with our main courses, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

A main course of pureed potatoes, several kinds of fresh mushrooms, soft eggs and crumbles and chips of dried mushrooms – surprisingly the tastiest dish of the meal!; Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

A main course of smoked wreckfish on a bed of black (squid ink) noodles and slivered leeks with the sauce being poured on after the dome lid was removed releasing the smoke; Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

A main course of Iberian pork stuffed with Iberian ham and smoked cheese, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

The chocolate lover’s dessert, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

A Spanish rendition of the Italian Tiramisu with coffee sorbet, Restaurante Fabio Santana, Vegueta (Old Town), Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

The weather-beaten facade of an old Spanish-style building in the historic Vegueta district, Las Palmas, Gran Cararia, Canary Islands

 

Legal Notices: All photographs copyright © 2018 by Richard C. Edwards. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Permission to link to this blog post is granted for educational and non-commercial purposes only.

 

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (2018)

Catedral de Santa Ana (Santa Ana Cathedral), the oldest church in the Canary Islands with architectural styles from several centuries, dominates the central plaza in Vegueta, the old town district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

 

Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria, one of Spain’s Canary Islands located in the northeastern part of the island, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) off the Moroccan coast in the Atlantic Ocean.  A major cruise-ship port, the city is known for duty-free shopping and for its sandy beaches.  Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings and multiple architectural styles reflect centuries-old Atlantic and Latin American ties in Las Palmas’ oldest neighborhood, Vegueta, where visitors can wander historic squares, sample tapas from outdoor cafés, shop for fresh fish, fruits and vegetables at Mercado de Vegueta, and enjoy dining and nightlife along Calle Mendizábal and Calle Pelota.  Adjacent to Vequeta is Triana, the city’s main commercial district. At Playa de Las Canteras, a coral barrier lines the beach and shelters swimmers.  The annual Las Palmas de Gran Canaria carnival brings together flamboyantly costumed performers, music and dancing.

 

A close up of some of the buildings – now home to shops and restaurants on the ground floors — on the plaza adjacent to Catedral de Santa Ana, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Casa de Colon, the Columbus museum in Vegueta, the old town district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; note that Columbus stopped for outfitting his ships here on each of his four sailings from Spain to the New World

 

A very friendly vendor showing off some of his high quality fruits in his stall in the municipal food market, Mercado de Vegueta, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; we made some excellent purchases there for our kitchen

 

Old homes along Triana have had their ground floor spaces turned into trendy retail stores, Triana district, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

A pedestrian street in downtown Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Many restaurants and cafes in downtown Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, have tables with sun umbrellas outdoors (in pedestrian zones)

 

Our ship at the pier in Muella Santa Catarina, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, with a signpost (in meters) showing distances to far away ports (the next leg of our journey is to Morocco, including Casablanca, pictured on the signs)

 

Legal Notices: All photographs copyright © 2018 by Richard C. Edwards. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.  Permission to link to this blog post is granted for educational and non-commercial purposes only.

 

Eat local: Casa Montesdeoca Restaurante, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

The patio dining area entrance to Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The atmosphere at Casa Montesdeoca Restaurante in the Vegueta old quarter of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, is charming.  The restaurant is housed in a restored 16^th century colonial mansion boasting a lush inner courtyard overlooked by carved wooden balconies and several intimate dining rooms behind leafy palms.  With a blend of elegance and creative flair, the kitchen serves fresh local fish, succulent steaks and decadent desserts.

 

Family memorabilia in the front hall entrance to Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The 16th century private home’s interior courtyard twenty years ago, before complete restoration, Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The 16th century private home’s interior courtyard today, after a complete restoration, Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Our luncheon began with a glass of local (Canary Islands) white wine (Malvasia), Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The intrepid explorer relaxing with a glass of local (Canary Islands) white wine (Malvasia), Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Langoustines (king prawns with a pine nut sauce and dried apple slices) as a starter at Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Baked local Canarian goat cheese with caramelized figs and a blueberry compote, avocado and zucchina carpaccio marinated in truffle oil as a starter at Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Local sama fish with wild mushroom sauce, seared foie gras and langoustines (king prawns) as a main course at Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Local lobster ravioli in a tomato sauce with langoustines (king prawns) as a main course at Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our relaxed luncheon – one of the best meals of our travels over the past month. Very highly recommended!

 

Torta de Chocolate y Naranja (chocolate and orange tort) as a postre (dessert) at Casa Montesdeoca, Vegueta old quarter, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The historic Vegueta and Triana districts, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

A vista of the Ciudad Jardin, Alcaravaneras and Santa Catalina districts, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

From our ship’s berth at the passenger port in the Santa Catalina districts (pictured above, on the top left), we drove south across Las Palmas to the old quarters of Vegueta and Triana.  On the way, the views from the top of the hill were spectacular.

 

A vista of the Escaleritas and Ciudad Jardin districts, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The historic  Vegueta district has been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.  Atlantic and Latin American ties are reflected in the old quarter (from cobblestone streets to diverse architectural styles), making exploration of Vegueta a trip back through history, dating from the 15^th century.

 

Catedral Santa Ana Las Palmas (Santa Ana Cathedral) in the heart of the historic Vegueta district — an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 , Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

Catedral de Santa Anna (Holy Cathedral-Basilica of Canary or Cathedral of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or Santa Ana Cathedral) is the seat of the Diocese of the Canaries in the Roman Catholic Church.  It is situated within the historic Vegueta neighborhood, next to the Plaza Mayor of Santa Ana.  The twin-towered Santa Ana Cathedral, the first church in the Canaries, was built on the orders of Los Reyes Católicos, Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, after Gran Canaria was conquered in 1478.  The structure is considered the most important monument of Canarian religious architecture.  The present church was commenced in 1500 and the structure was finished, and the first offices celebrated, on the eve of Corpus Christi, 1570, in the time of the fourteenth Bishop, Fr. Juan de Alzolares.

 

Beautiful wood window shutters and balcony on an old Spanish-style building in the historic Vegueta district, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

 

Casa de Colón (Columbus’ House), where Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) stayed during repairs to his ship before embarking on his 1492 voyage of discovery, in the historic Vegueta district, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

In 1478, Juan Rejon, conqueror of Gran Canaria island, founded the Fort of Las Palmas (Real de las Palmas).  The fort became the city’s first foundations.  In the city (now the Vegueta historic old quarter) new buildings sprang up as the Spanish built up the port and its defenses.  One of the notable structures, pictured above, the former Governor’s House, is where where Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) stayed during repairs to his ship before embarking on his 1492 voyage of discovery.  Colon also stayed there on two more journeys en route to America.  Today the Governor’s house is known as Casa de Colón (Columbus’ House).  It houses the local biblioteca (library) and a museum with thirteen permanent exhibition galleries and three large patios.

 

A strolling musician on the street plays music for luncheon diners at the popular Canarian Restaurante, El Herreno, in the historic Vegueta district, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The weather-beaten facade of an old Spanish-style building, next to a modern building, in the historic Vegueta district, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 

The all-glass facade of a contemporary building reflects a companion blue historic Spanish-style building, in the historic Triana district, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands