Anca Curro
The bar (Anca Curro) next to my guest house (Dar Cilla) has re-opened for the season, as yet only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
It is a family run business and is the much larger offshoot of the small and highly popular bar of the former bull fighter in the centre of town. Although it is bigger, he has very cleverly recreated the intimate atmosphere of his other bar. Hams hang along the length of the bar, the delicious ham is carved in front of you.
In good weather and in high season it is very crowded outside; from my own balcony window I have counted up to one hundred people, but there is no loud music and they close at 02.00 hours so my Dar Cilla guests have an advantage (proximity of one of the best bars in Tarifa which is still open if they arrive on a late flight) rather than a disadvantage.
I personally am known as the Dragon as for me the only downside is that their clients park in front of my personal garage in spite of a very clear NO PARKING YOU WILL BE TOWED AWAY sign. I call the police immediately – who cares about being popular?!
I invited my Dar Cilla team at 20.30 hours - we were the first there, but that way had the choice of a small high table near the bar. First a plate of the wonderful jamon Serrano together with a bottle of their excellent red house wine. Then we shared a plate of tomatoes with rocquefort and then a steak (solomillo) – great flavour. We finished off with a glass of the well known Spanish liqueur, Cuarenta Tres (43) – which incidentally I now often see advertised on the Dutch TV. An extra bonus is that after just one glass too many it is only a few steps to the front door.
It is a relaxed and very authentic Spanish atmosphere which is exactly what my Dar Cilla guests are looking for.
I feel I ‘belong’; I feel good; I enjoy; I can recommend wholeheartedly and hope to meet you there.