Finca Rotez in Barbarroja, near Hondón de los Frailes has just released their 2009 festive activities….
Tuesday 1st Dec: Ladies Day & Xmas Fayre and Lunch. All stall spaces fully booked but everyone welcome to come for coffee etc & have a browse.
Every Monday day & evening in December: Friends & family pre christmas lunch/dinners. Perfect for groups who cannot be together xmas day Price €15.00 inc’ wine & table gift, crackers etc
Thursday 10th Dec: Bingo& social night Xmas party. Great fun, great prizes.
Friday 11th Dec’: Entertainment night. No ticket required, you can dine & dance by booking your table or just come along for a drink at the bar. Tony M presents a full evening & he is really good.
Tuesday 15th Dec: Childrens Xmas party with Santa, presents, tea, fun & games
Saturday 19th Dec: Carols in the Courtyard. A truly lovely night with traditional seasonal fayre, carols, dancing after.
Christmas Eve 24th: Chill out before the big day with free buffet at the bar & music.
Christmas Day – FULLY BOOKED already !!!
Boxing Day: Open according to demand
Sunday 27th Dec’: Normal sunday lunch being served
New Years Eve: Entertainment & hot/cold buffet €20.00 & transport available for this & all other times if needed. Some tickets left – book now… We look forward to welcoming you!
August Update: Well I have tried the NEW ‘La Buena Vida’ restaurant in Frailes (Hondon) a couple of times and CANNOT fault the decor, prices or food. Service could be improved a little but it’s early days, there’s been a rush of people trying it I gather and the staff are more than willing to help. It truly is amazing decor considering this was a run-down shop 3 months ago with no kitchen or bar. …. it’s got a tree and grape vines carved into the new plaster walls – which a local artisan has crafted !!
There is a good choice of standard Italian dishes and daily Chef’s specials to suite most pockets. So far so good … and the air-con is a god-send at the moment – very hot in Hondon Valley July and August !!! RECOMMENDED ! (The other restaurants around here must be a little worried now)
By the time you read this the BRAND NEW Italian / International restaurant in Hondon de los Frailes should be open for business (barring any late hiccups !). It’s called “La Buena Vida” (The Good Life).
Table Bookings Telephone No. 965 482 098
Well I’ve seen it being built over the last two months and it OOZES QUALITY. You would never know it has been converted from a rather typical dowdy shop in the village centre. Check out the decor / interior design, you cannot fail to be impressed. Originally designed, spacious and well thought through is the overall impression.
Of course we need to sample the cuisine and check out the prices but I’m sure the new local owners have already thought that one through and want to ensure quality and value for money. Good Luck to them !!
As we write Hondon De Las Frailes is gearing up for another new restaurant. Local exPats have spotted a potential ‘gap in the market’ and are now working hard to get local premises in Frailes ready for the summer.
Rumours have been rife on when, where and what kind of restaurant it may be…well it’s in the main pedestrian area near Frailes Church. The premises were previously a ‘gift shop’ that recently closed down so has had to be refurbished and re-designed to make it suitable as a restaurant.
So what type will it be? Well I am relaible informed that the main cuisine will be Italian … no menu as yet but when I find out more I shall post it here.
Good luck to the new owners… we wish them success.
It’s been a while since I posted on here. A long cold winter and loads of ‘real’ work to do. Anyway the summer is well and truly here in Hondon Valley … so what news ?
Fish Restaurant in Nieves:
I am reluctant to share this snippet but I guess I am so happy to find a nice restaurant here… even if it is in the most unlikely of places !!!
Check out “Restaurante Polideportivo” (Sports Centre, Hondon De Las Nieves). It has a refurbished restaurant (owned and run by the council as far as I know) which specialises in Pescados (Fish) dishes. Having been just the once on a recommendation – I can also recommend it if your like shell fish / fish. However they do have meat dishes but their display fridge at the front is full of crabs, prawns, lobster and squid, to name a few. I guess it will depend on the day’s / season’s catch as to what they sell.
They have a weekly lunch (Menu Del Dia) about €12 and dinner menu (just friday, sat. sun we were told) at various prices. My party chose the special Menu del Noche … And what a treat, far too much to eat (although we managed it in the end). With wine it was about €28 each but very special and full of Spanish diners in the know. I guess the price may put a few people off but we all thought it was well worth it… I thin kwe were eating for over two hours and the service was great.
As for being in a Sports Centre, well we had reservations about it, but the restaurant is tastefully done and once in there you would never know were you where. You wouldn’t want to eat outside as you overlook the football pitch but we all enjoyed it and will be going back so the next special occasion.
You can buy Ali-Oli from supermarkets in there quite distinctive yellow pots. But it’s easy to make your own if you have time! Especially on fresh crusty bread, topped with chopped tomatoes.. it’s a big favourite around the Hondón Valley in the summer.
This traditional Spanish garlic sauce goes well goes well with chicken, potatoes, paella and a myriad of other dishes.
OK who can’t resist these crispy deep fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce. Delicious and very more-ish, (so just don’t count the calories) !!
Here’s Video Jug’s take on a very popular Tapa in Southern Spain. We love em al-fresco on a sunny day with a nice chilled white white or cold lager. Cheers !
Ok, it’s getting a little chilly in the Hondon Valley lately. There are less people about al fresco and the tan’s are fading now. It’s strictly long pants and a jumper or jacket now.
So what’s happening? Well there’s a new bar to open soon in Frailes (formerly Sinatra’s Bar). It will have a new name and is being decorated as we write. Finger’s crossed it’ll be a bit different and attract both ex-pats and the Spanish like VientiOcho does in the same village. We could do with another nice place to go.
The local Town Hall (Nieves) has been running ‘free’ Spanish Classes for Expats. These are popular and well worth it. We say ‘free’ but there is a joining fee and you need to buy books. Pop along to the Ayuntimiento and ask for Maria Elena, although I think they are full until the new year now, but get your name down at least!
Eva’s Restaurant has opened in Nieves, she used to have one in Frailes. I have already tried the Menu Del Dia there and it was a typical MDD affair but nice enough. Try it out for yourself – it’s opposite Bar Central.
Christmas is coming and already there is talk of locals singing carols to the Spanish Villages – so a choir is being formed and will hopefully raise money towards a good Nieves cause… It’s good to make a contribution to the Village for letting us ‘invade’ their territory !!! We shouldn’t just take and they invite us to all their Fiestas don’t they? So if you see a tin a rattling at least spare a Euro or two for a good local cause.
And finally for now… if you need to sell or rent your Hondón property you can put it on here very cheaply!… See you soon !!
After the sell-out summer success of events like Flamenco Night and Live Acts at La Finca Rotez (in Barbarroja, near Hondon de los Frailes), Rosemary & Terry have just released a batch of forthcoming events, including what’s happening for Christmas and New Year !
Looking over an extensive 3 page brochure it looks like the Rotez will be very busy. You can get your events brochure and festive menu by popping into the Rotez, ask any of the staff. TEL 966 678 968 for bookings & prices… recommended!
OK, so a quick summary then…
Open every day (except Tuesday) 10.30 ’til late
Breakfast/Lunch 11 til 3pm
Dinner from 7pm (or earlier if booked)
Special Dinners ‘Menu Del Noche + wine’ on Mon & Wed
Fish Suppers of Fri’ usually includes cabaret / live music (check with the staff)
Bingo and Party Nights (on specified Thursdays) Dates: Halloween Party, Fireworks & Fiesta Night, Music & Dancing & Meal
Private Parties catered for – check with staff
Festive Delights (Christmas & New Year)
Rosemary & Terry are wanting to make the Finca Rotez as festive as possible so make sure you check dates and events… get booked in because word spreads fast in the Hondon Valley! It all kicks off from the 8th December with a ‘Friends & Family’ seasonal dinner. Plus they’ll be having a Children’s Christmas Party 16th Dec’…. Carol Night is 19th Dec … C’ Eve is an open as usual with mince pies, etc and the BIG DAY has a lavish Christmas Dinner Menu with welcome drinks, canapés and a great choice of courses.
And of course it’s PARTY TIME with music on NEW YEAR’s EVE !!!
It’s going to be a popular place. If you haven’t been before I suggest you do. (Google Map)
I recently had a very pleasant evening at the Finca Rotez in Barbarroja (near Hondon de los Frailes). It was my first but their 3rd Flamenco Night. It was nice to taste a bit of traditional Spain. Well done to Rosemary (the owner) who is trying to offer different entertainment to the norm for around here. The three female dancers were very good and all very dramatic and mysterious too.
The place was full, all tables taken and Finca Rotez put on a ’supper’ of various dishes, salad, bread and fish. All very nice and quite good value. The staff as usual were very helpful and friendly…. of course our crowd were the last ones to leave !!! Recommended.
In the interests of fairness and keeping you guys informed I think a general list of bars and restaurants in Frailes, Hondon Valley would help… ( We in no way endorse any of these establishments, that’s down to your tastes).
Bar Redz: Church Street: (Pool, Music and Games) – Serve Snacks and meals
Irish Bar: Church Street: Yep just like a regular Irish Bar anywhere else in the world !!Football/Sports TV, Darts, International Beers, Snacks, Courtyard and street tables AND Guiness of course!
Veinte Ocho:Church Street: Breakfast, Tapas, Lunch and Dinner. The newest place in town (at time of writing). Very modern, has nicer views of the Alberta Mountains and Al Fresco tables or dine inside.
Bar Peppin: main Murcia road: well established with the Spanish & English. Lunch and dinner menu, Sports, TV, speciality nights, quizzes and Fish & Chips !
Sinatras: main Murcia road: Music and pool bar, snacks, large room and caters for larger parties, celebrations.
La Finca Rotez: Barbarroja: 5 mins from Frailes: Guest house, restaurant and bar, open from 10am (except Tues). Does English & International menu, has private courtyard. Event such as Flamenco are popular.
The Fogon: Moroon coloured ranch style building, main Murcia road: Menu del Dia offered, large interior, views of Crevillent Mountains. Popular with Spanish locals.
Casas Galiana: Between Nieves and Frailes, main road: Established and well used for Menu del Dia, popular with Spanish people. Is Spanish owned and run, Varied menu and large rooms means it caters for celebrations / parties.
