Note: There is space reserved for nonsmokers.
It is a pleasant gourmet restaurant that can be discovered in the fishing village of Playa Quemada. Salmarina is situated in a charming location. It is located on the sea front and is some what a large old house that has been beautifully restored. It is traditionally decorated with multiple marine vessel ornaments that enhance the cosy atmosphere within the restaurant. Salmarina certainly takes advantage of its closeness to the bay. You are welcomed in the main hall entrance by a beautiful picture of the sheltered coast of Playa Quemada. Outside there is an enviable terrace, narrow yet nice and leads out towards the sea. The surround sound of the small waves falling upon the pebbles on the beach results in the perfect place to enjoy this stretch of coastline. Even on days when the weather is some what poor in Lanzarote, Playa Quemada is not affected. Due to its microclimate you do not feel the weather changes on the island, it is just perfect.
Salmarinas cuisine, which is led by a classic islandrestaurateur Honorius, is simple but manages to highlight the flavours of its premium products. The starter menu is varied and includes; cheeses, croquettes, Iberian hams, scrabbled salmon and mushrooms with prawns, salads, salmon on toast and fish soup. From the sea there are the following options; limpets, baby squid and prawns, yet we would consider the octopus to be the best. There are fewoctopuses that are so tasty and so easy to enjoy. Choose either the Galician or the Canarian octopus, the canarian choice is served with mojo (canarian sauce) and potatoes. Today, Saturday 12th March, we are made aware that the islands seafood does extend to other latitudes. Barnacles and Galician clams as well as the red prawns from La Santa and clacas of the island. We opted for some delicious steamed cockles and salmon on toast.
The star main dishes are the fish and the seafood choices. The fresh pieces of coastline fish such as: vieja, cherne,bocinegro, grouper and sama, each are prepared delicately yet simply. We choose the cherne. It had a very soft flavouring yet at the same time very tasty. Salmarina organises and prepares barbecues, fish and seafood spreads and on request fish soups. The grilled prawns or squid as well as the steamed mussels are yet more fish and seafood choices to opt for. The kitchen is also well known for its rice dishes. The seafood paella, rabbit withvegetables, fideguá and the stewed lobster rice are furthermore dishes to the menu. Again we choose the cherne and we also try the spectacular rocker sama served with a tasty mojo sauce, gofio and onion.
The demand for meat in this restaurant is somewhat remote. The recommendations of the house are the kid and lamb, steak, pork chops, rabbit cooked Lanzarote style and sirloin steak either grilled or served with a sauce. Certainly the environment influences your choice. The string of folk chords can be heard in the background, the seas breeze can be felt, the decoration and due to the stunning view of the southern coastline of Lanzarote we instinctively opt for the paella and the cherne. We certainly were not let down.
The wine list is prominently those of Lanzarote although the restaurant has introduced a significant selection of Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines that are of very good value. The dessert menu is simple and fairly limited. You have choices such as: fruit, mousse, flan, cheesecake and ice cream. Today we got to try the new additions to the dessert menu, a sweet fig mousse and a splendid cheesecake. One of the most outstanding features of this restaurant is its attractive table wear. As the evening begins to wear Playa Quemada illuminates in colours.