La Vera Cruz

We tried this restaurant about four years ago and thought we ought to give it another go. Billed as Cucina Francesa it's one of the few restaurants in Vejer with pretensions to 'fine' dining. I started with Cream of Pesto with Scallops. On the menu it was the scallops that had caught my eye and failed to catch my eye when the waitress brought a plate of pesto soup. Having sent it away with, "no, not for me, I ordered the scallops", the head waiter brought it back tipping the bowl slightly to reveal the dry and thinly sliced scallop (singular) that had been hiding under the leading edge of the bowl. Alison had decided to do without a starter on the promise that she could have one of my scallops. I don't know which of us was more disappointed. The soup was delightfully refreshing all the same.

Alison's main course was Iberian pork in a Roquefort sauce. I plumped for Duck leg with a grape and moscatel sauce 'in the french style' which was heavy on the fat and light on the meat - the magret with citrus fruit sauce would have been a better choice in hindsight. Both were served on blisteringly hot plates with small islands of perfectly cooked vegetables.

Our pudding's were a runny but delicious creme flambée with Cointreau and a dark and white chocolate mousse with créme anglaise.

Along with a lovely Rioja Reserva the total came to around 75 euros.

The waiting staff were pleasant and spoke English.

It's not somewhere I'd rush back to but we probably won't leave it as long next time.

Bar el Central

Housed in what used to be a branch of Banco Santander Central Hispano is this Cerveceria/Cafeteria/Heladeria/Wine Bar/Restaurant/something-for-everyone-at-any-time-of-day watering hole. It's on the Corner of Juan Bueno and one of the prettiest little cut-throughs in the centre of Vejer near La Plazuela. On first encounter it makes a much better restaurant location than a Bank and it's opening is a welcome relief having been a building site for quite some time. We stopped in for a glass of wine and a plate of Pulpo Gallega on the way home from the beach - as good as any we have tasted in Spain.

Antonio's Cafe Mediterraneo

Our most recent visit to Cielo coincided with the opening of this new restaurant a few minutes walk from our front door. The offer of a free bottle of house wine from their regular house list of six wines was enough to tempt us through the door. It's no smoking on the first floor which was just as well as that was as far as we felt the urge to climb with a pushchair.

It was worth the effort. The excellent Free Rioja aside the food was good value. We started with a cooling Gazpacho and Calamari alla Romana - simple enough but so often batter coated squid rings turn out to be too heavy on the batter and too rubbery on the squid. These were light and tender. This was followed by a 'Torro' Burger and Lamb shank with aromatic potatoes. This latter dish could have been quite heavy going on a hot evening but was made lighter by being served warm rather than hot and the potatoes cool. Finally we shared a fresh orange sorbet. The total came to around 40 Euros.

Pleasant and efficient staff, most speaking excellent English, will surely help this newcomer establish itself quickly.

Check out their web site at www.antonioscafemediterraneo.com

Antonio's c/. Juan Bueno, 23, Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz 11150
Tel: (0034) 956 447 006
Reservations via email: reservas@antonioscafemediterraneo.com