Los Roques, Los Abrigos, Tenerife Review

Overall Rating

Excellent food and service, fantastic views up the coast.

Noisy

We went to the Fusion Los Roques in Tenerife entirely on spec after overhearing another couple talking about how much they enjoyed the place, and how different it was.

Different indeed! In fact it was something of a shock, and being used to most other Tenerife eateries, and after walking past places full of fishing nets and plastic chairs, more like a posh city restaurant, it was a bit daunting, and we almost didn't go in. But it's actually very comfortable, relaxed and friendly, and the food is certainly not to be missed. There were even children in the restaurant, and the waiters arranged for some food to be cooked especially for them.

The dishes were a little unusual, and there were things on the menu we definitely wouldn't want to eat, but equally there are things that we would both enjoy, so really I suppose it's quite a balanced menu!

We both had shrimp and fennel soup to start, which was rich and creamy, and quite the most delicious seafood soup I have ever had.

Then we had a chicken dish with a grape sauce and a fried potato thing, and I had Bison burger! The waiter talked me into it after convincing me it wasn't too strange, and it was very tasty and juicy, and the bits that came with it were fantastic.

We shared a dessert of bread pudding with caramel sauce that was just lovely.

All in all well worth the visit, and not too expensive considering what you get for your money.

The only downside was that the night we were there, there were some particularly noisy children playing in the street, but they weren't there too long, and it didn't really spoil our meal.

Members' Comments onbmigo's Review

• turgid38 on 22nd Dec 2005

  I went to Restaurante Los Roques with friends for no special occasion and had the most delightful meal there.
  
  From the moment we arrived to the moment we left the staff were warm, friendly,
  courteous and knowledgable, and definately added to the evening.
  
  The restaurant itself is delightful; modern, chic and yet without being faddish
  or trendy. We initially had drinks on the deck at lunchtime, which has the most
  fantastic views, but went back another time for dinner.
  
  Yet, despite the fantastic staff, the stunning views, the high standard of all
  the furniture and fittings, along with what are probably the best restaurant
  bathrooms on tenerife, nothing, but nothing, outdid the food.
  
  We were stunned. You just don't expect to find food this good in a place like
  this. Yes, the prices are higher than most of the restaurants around it, but
  they are lower than you pay for the same food in places like London or New York.
  In some cases, less than half what you might pay. And the food is at least equal
  to many of the better restaurants I've eaten in, and that includes one or two
  that have a Michelin Star.
  
  There were four of us for dinner, but I will describe only my food for the sake
  of brevity.
  
  I had Tartar of Salmon to start. I discovered after eating it that the salmon is
  purchased whole by the restaurant, but is prepared and cured on the premises in
  their own marinade, a process taking several days. It is diced and served in a
  caper aioli which is just fantastic. The flavour and texture combination gives a
  kind of silkiness to the dish. The fish has a richness to it unlike anything
  I've tasted in a fish dish like this. The waiter suggested I try some bread with
  it, and sure enough, the bread opened up the flavour still further. The salad
  leaves on which the salmon sat were some of the most diverse and tasty I've had
  on the island.
  
  My main course was Fillet of Beef with Yuca Chips, Sweet Pea Mousse and Thyme
  Liquor. The steak was divinely tender, perfectly cooked medium rare. The yuca
  chips were unusual and the sweet pea mousse verdent. Ah yes, there was a
  quenelle of harissa on top of the steak, which, combined with the yuca, pea, and
  thyme licor complemented the beef so well I was almost shocked. If only more
  steak dishes were like this! I wondered afterwards why the bothered providing a
  steak knife - I could have cut it with my fork!
  
  For dessert, I had the Strawberry and Basil Sorbet, served with meringue and
  basil liquor. Again, a fantastic flavour combination, perfectly balanced. The
  sorbet was of fresh fruit puree, untainted with syrup, egg or cream, but still
  smooth and creamy. The meringue was crisp and sweet, a perfect foil for the
  sorbet. And the basil liquor added to and lifted the sorbet just the right way.
  
  Added to this were two other surprises; the bread and the brownies, both
  unsolicited and both free of charge, as you would expect of a restaurant of this
  class, but not necessarily of restaurants in Tenerife.
  
  At the beginning of the meal we were given a bowl of bread for the table. A
  selection of five or so different breads, all baked on the premises, served with
  a kind of spread/dip rather than butter, although butter was instantly provided
  with a smile when one of our party expressed such a preference.
  
  The brownies came with the coffee (which deserves a passing mention - it's Illy
  - I thought it was and confirmed this with the (Italian!) waiter). They were
  sweet, chocolatey and nutty, and the perfect acompaniament to the coffee.
  
  All in all the place was great; we were so comfortable and enjoyed ourselves so
  much. Although the food was excellent and the highlight of the evening the
  staff, surroundings and ambiance all contributed.
  
  We will definately be returning to Los Roques at every possible opportunity, and
  although some may think the prices are high, I don't - you get what you pay for
  and it's worth every last cent.