COSTA BLANCA NEWS .. 30 May 1997

"TABLE TALK" by Falstaff

"delightful restaurant."

"Although deep in the hills ,Cuatretondeta is not much more than an hours drive from the coast"

"a meal at Els Frares makes a lovely day out in the cool mountain air."

"the variety of dishes at Els Frares is interesting and certainly unlike any other mountain restaurant I know"

"Main courses vary from lamb to partridge and roast quail...... and all the sweets are home made."

COSTA BLANCA NEWS .. Friday , 23 February 1996

"HYPERMARKET GIVES WAY TO A HAMLET HOTEL" by Malc. Smith

" They bought a dilapidated ,100 year old village house and with the help of local labour set about renovating and building their hotel-restaurant. This is not a "D-I-Y" job, it was architecturally designed and the result is a delight.

There are half a dozen tastefully appointed bedrooms, all with bathrooms or showers en suite. Most of the bedrooms have attractive balconies giving superb views of the mountains and over the village rooftops. There is a snug lounge, TV room, and beautifully raftered bar and dining areas. Outside is a cool patio sporting a thriving grapefruit tree and vines."

"Work began on the conversion of the property at the end of 1992,and six months later, they opened their hotel-restaurant and haven't looked back since".

"I had discovered the wonderful thing about hotel "ELS FRARES" , which is named after a striking local rocky mountain sides, is that although it is deep in the mountains, it is merely a ninety minutes drive from the coast: For "lets take off for a couple of days" people like me this is a boon. I was to discover other advantages to the hotel."

"fascinating ,rather unique, almost sculptured sierras. The area is attractive not only because of its mountain sides but because of its abundant orchards" "such good food and rooms"

"Whilst I was there my companion and I indulged ourselves in the restaurant. We opened with tapas and a delightfully light savoury (tomato, cheese and spinach)crepe. Our main courses were Roast Quails with sultanas and pine nuts.....scrumptious....and roast lamb in red wine sauce. Both dishes were served with fresh vegetables. On our next visit ,the fare we shall choose from will include Salmon Oriental in white wine and ginger. ,Pan fried rabbit in red wine, "Kulebyaka", a light pastry filled with creamed mushrooms and mackerel and "Mar i Muntanya", a chicken and prawn dish in an almond hazelnuts spice and anis sauce.

I can't wait and having realised how quickly I can get to Cuatretondeta from the coast, I know I can either stay overnight or use the restaurant and still make the round trip in a few hours.