Our favourite Restaurant in Málaga – JCG (José Carlos Garcia)

José Carlos in the kitchen

José Carlos Garcia first came to our notice many years ago when he was awarded a Michelin Star for his cuisine at the Café de Paris near the bullring in La Malagueta. With the opening of the new, magnificent port, Muelle Uno in the city it seemed totally appropriate that he should open a new restaurant in a prime location.

A bit of re-branding, a new name (JCG) has meant that he has never really looked back and the Michelin Star was first awarded to JCG a couple of years ago. We visited again last week and he seems to have found his feet and we had a superb meal in fabulous surroundings (we ate on the terrace that night which had just opened for summer, whereas on previous visits we had always eaten inside). The terrace is a haven of peace and tranquillity (despite the quayside being pretty busy with passing pedestrians). The view to the Arab fortress of the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro is delightful.

OK, so it is not cheap (show us a Michelin Star restaurant that is) but when you see (and taste) the rather remarkable end result then we reckon it is worth the money for the odd splurge on a special occasion. We had the 15 course tasting menu at 99€ a head including tax. With a drink each on very comfortable sofas before being seated at our very ample table for 4, plus three bottles of good wines between the 4 of us, the total bill was 524€. Not at all bad for something rather extraordinary and with excellent and attentive service (that never felt too overpowering or in one’s face!). The whole experience took almost 5 hours and was taken at a wonderfully relaxing pace.

We don’t claim to be restaurant critics, we will leave that to others, but our experience at JCG was so memorable we have to share it with you. There is normally a dish that disappoints in visits to Michelin Star restaurants in our humble opinion, but here nothing seemed to do that on this occasion. If you are a true foodie sybarite then this is a place for you. Here are a few photos just to torment you!

Enjoying a pre-dinner drink on the terrace

Our Table Awaits

Seaweed and Prawn crackers (getting their final sprinkling of freshly cut seaweed)

Tuna Molletes (Bread Rolls)

Conchas Finas (Clams) with Margarita

The View at Dusk

Prawn in Batter with Korean Kimchi and Moscatel Grapes

Mackerel, Mustard, Cucumber and Radish

Monkfish Liver (before the sweet tomato and Miso soup are added)

Suckling Pig with Pineapple

Pasta and Squab Stew (Baby Pigeon)

Interior Dining Room at Dusk in Winter

Carrot, Orange and Almon “sand”

Interior Dining Room for Lunch in Winter

José Carlos Garcia, Quique Sarasola (of the Room Mate Hotels) and Michael and Laura from http://www.tapasinmalaga.com and http://www.anamazinghotel.com

The last photo was a chance photo as we met an old friend Quique Sarasola, the owner of the ever expanding Room Mate Hotel Chain whom we have worked with through our Boutique Hotel Company, http://www.anamazinghotel.com for the last 7 years. Fun to see him again. There is a review of his lovely Room Mate Larios in Hotel in Malaga on this blog. https://tapasinmalaga.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/our-favourite-hotel-in-malaga-room-mate-larios/

Restaurant JCG: Pza. de la Capilla.
Puerto de Málaga. 29001.
Telephone:952 00 35 88
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 13.30 – 15.30 and from 20.30 – 22.30
Closed Sundays and Mondays

You can book online too via : http://www.restaurantejcg.com/es/contacto.html