Grand Openings!

After a winter of chasing around trying to find a bar open in the evenings for a pre-prandial drink or two, and often failing, things are looking up!

The traumas caused by nine named violent storms, heavy rainfall, high winds, flooding and lots of damage to homes, outbuildings, crops and livestock, evacuations and several deaths have been immense. 

As we approach Spring, three grand openings have taken place.

[Image courtesy of the BBC] 

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Last Friday it was the grand opening of a brand-new venue in Montejaque.

A former private house has been turned into a bar/restaurant, named "La Chica" (meaning "small" in this case, rather than "girl") to be run by two brothers from the village, Ruben and Borja.

A few years before the brothers had La Terraza I and La Terraza II, just outside the village, together with their late pal Cayetano, who sadly died in a cycling accident.  

I went to the opening of "La Chica" promptly at 11.00 am. I was the only customer for a while. "Too early", the second customer, a local, told me. "It's only alcoholics like you and me that start drinking so early!"

Mmm!

Back to "La Chica". The name is accurate - it is indeed "small" - but beautifully done with interesting artefacts on the walls.

I decided to book a table for dinner that very evening for Rita and me. At 8.00 pm it was already crowded, and it got even busier later. 

The food was exquisite and the bill was a few cents over 50 euros. Highly recommended. 

[awaiting photos]    

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On Saturday the refurbished Ronda Valley Hotel (Don Benito) re-opened as Hotel Don Manuel. The hotel has been closed for two months while new owner David Garcia and his team have given the place a complete makeover.

A completely new colour scheme, new furniture and a re-arrangement of the internal space in the public areas has been carried out.

The bedrooms have been stripped bare and re-done. 

[Ronda Today]

At the grand opening of the 4-star Hotel Don Manuel, there was a slight delay while the assembled crowd waited for the delegate from Ronda Council who was running late.

After short speeches by the new owners the ribbon was cut and we were welcomed into our familiar local which has been utterly transformed. Lighter colours have made the place seem brighter and more spacious.

With two dining rooms and a large terrace the hotel is set up for family dining and for events, such as weddings, baptisms and confirmations.

The four show bedrooms, each different, were spacious and tastefully designed. Our favourite was Room 105 on the first floor. Ultimately the hotel will offer 24 rooms.

The bar area was packed. It was hot and sunny, so everybody had a thirst. Complimentary tapas were served by the staff and it was all rather jolly.

We looked at the restaurant menu which offered a range of interesting-sounding dishes at reasonable prices. We booked a table for dinner on Sunday night and are looking forward to it. And nobody has to drive, as we live within walking distance.

BTW, the new hotel is named after owner David's late father, Manuel, who perished in a fire aged 50, when David was a youngster. 

[awaiting photos]

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The third grand opening was at Hotel Molino del Santo in Benaojan Estacion.

Their planned re-opening after their winter break was for St Valentine's Day, but that was ki-boshed when the barriada was shut down for fear of a flood from the Montejaque dam.

They are already back in action, so it won't be long before the missus and I go there to celebrate something or other.  

[Molino del Santo]     

© Paul Whitelock 

Photos:

BBC, Molino del Santo, Ronda Today 

Thanks:

David Garcia, Paul Whitelock 

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