Last year whilst in Arillas I really wanted to try the fish restaurant up past the Bardis hotel.
However hubby did not !!! stating there was never anyone in there so must be a bad sign.
This year I was determined to give it a go under protest from other half ( who would eat every night at Brouklis if given the chance)
Well what can I say other than give it a go if you like fish. Thomas is the local fisherman supplying most of the village. Don't go by the menu just ask him what he has and you can go and look and pick your own fish. It is very rustic and laid back. The service is terrible (but who is in a hurry) but the food is delicious and so cheap. One night we had the fish grill for 4 of us Thomas presented this as a huge platter of a variety of fresh grilled fish. This with starters, wine, beers and desserts came to a ridiculous some of 45 euros for 4 people.
Lovely people the whole family make you very welcome.
Pauline x
Hi Pauline
We used to think the same way as your other half about Vavilas , and like you say the service is not brill and always manic but the food is great the people are genuine and the prices unbelievable . So anyone out there dont be shy give it a try you wont be sorry.
Dave n Anne
Yammas
My friend Michelle always goes there at least once when she is in Arillas but I haven't been for years as Joyce doesn't like fish. Her daughter will be with us for one week in August so may leave them to their own devices and go with Michelle and the gang to Vavilas. I agree it always looks empty and the service is slow but who's in a hurry? I remember the food was delicious and like you, we went into the kitchen to choose our meal.
Yes, we have passed it on numerous occasions and were always unsure if it was open,, as I have rarely seen anyone there.
After your reccomendation we will certainly be giving it a go.....
Thanks for the post ...
kes
Hi Sandy
Why not take them all along they do other dishes apart from fish and for what it costs why not give it a try, if they dont like itthen put it down to experience but at least you will have a great night together .
Yammas
Dave n Anne
Good idea....
A couple of years ago we had just been served our desserts, when Thomas tapped us on the shoulders said goodnight and hopped off leaving us alone!!! We thought it was hilarious...and before you say it, it's not as though we were late or anything like that and outstayed our welcome!! ;-)
Sandy they do really nice chicken dishes there too - my son won't eat anything with 'eyes' or 'skin on' (ha ha - don't know how he thinks cows and chickens see!!) but he loved their chicken souvlaki. It was always busy when we were there last July, some people who were staying at Makris would only eat there. It's worth a visit!
Thanks Cheryl - Joyce loves chicken souvlaki (well, she does at Brouklis anyway).
Eileen - so did you have to clear the table and wash up before you left????
Quote from: Sandy Davies on July 05, 2007, 12:18:45 PM
Eileen - so did you have to clear the table and wash up before you left????
No :-)... but I was able to freely feed the cats the bits of fish that I didn't like without offending the owner!
I'm glad you posted this as I've always wondered about that place !
I'll definitely be trying there the next time we're over :D
We enjoyed lobster there a couple of years ago, bit daunting as it was the first time we had been brave and chose it from the tank. I was a coward and didn't stay whilst it was being cooked, we dissappeared off for 1/2 an hour whilst the deed was done. I have to say it was beautiful and now we are total lobster addicts.
Vavillas is one of our favourite restaurants. We stayed in the apartments thereon our first visit to Arillas in 2002 and always go at least once. The food is fantastic, fresh and beautifully cooked and Thomas and his wife Giorgia are lovely people.
I can honestly say that we have never tried lobster but when we were there last year there was a lovely couple who said they always had the lobster as it was such good value at Vavilas , we saw them at least 4 times in 2 weeks . Speaks for itself really.
Yammas
Dave n Anne
We never made it to Vavilas in May, when we hopefully head back next year we will definitely give it a go.
Thanks for the info on Vavilas. We too also thought it was never open as we never saw anyone in it. Might have to try it in August. Yammas!
I have to admit i have not seen this restaurant!
Bit twilight zoneish this! My mum only mentioned yesterday about Thomas' fish restaurant, and the fact that she hasn't yet tried it in the 4 years she's been going to Arillas. So, after all you lovely people have said about the place, guess where we'll be visiting for a freshly caught fish dish? 17 more sleeps!!
:-)
I cant believe all of you arillas addicts/experts havent been to vavilas before i truly am shocked,but there again we were a bit unsure at first but we went there on our first to arillas 4 years ago and keep going back,thomas & family are so lovely and welcome us every year we go there, there used to be a few old uns that used to sit there they havent been there for a couple of years we dont like to ask where they are we feel thats a bit rude. There again theres a few more places further up the road that we havent been in, maybe we should give them a go and let you all know what there like?
must try this resturant
not keen on fish but do like chicken
i like fish if there is no bones
When Thomas first opened in 1992 we were there for the opening night, and what a night it was. It picked up the nickname of 'Fawlty Towers', this was only due to the irregular but happy service. The food has always been first class and I always just ask Thomas for some food and leave the decision as to what I eat to him, he has never let me down.We have eaten there over 40 times and look forward to meeting all the family again in September.
Exactly. He`s very well accustomed to helping peeps decide. A very good memory, and a lovely surprise every time. We have always had a lovely time there. Can`t wait to go again.
brilliant posts about lovely Thomas and his restaurant hope that he has lots of business this year....he deserves it!
We have been there a few times and went last week. It was a lovely meal, starters, sea bream cooked beautifully and a gorgeous cheesecake, large carafe of wine and all for 31 euros for three of us! Excellent! You cant get that sort of meal in the UK for that with wonderful surroundings as well.
That sounds great and so cheap, hope to have a meal there in September. Viv
Hi, just returned from Arillas on Monday 16th. First visit, went to Vavilas after reading reviews on here. Ate there 3 times! Delicious food, wonderful people, they go and pick up mama to do the cooking. Ridiculously cheap, my partner doesnt normally eat fish, but he had the sea bream once and the fish medley another night and loved it. I had the swordfish, to die for!! They make their own wine which is wonderful. 2 three course meals, 2 large carafes of wine, 26 euros. Very friendly, billy told thomas he likes sea fishing and thomas immediately invited billy to join him on a trip. It is a must to eat here.
As I mentioned before it is such good value and we liked the wine too, very light and drinkable....
We did laugh though because we heard that one day they didnt go fishing because of the weather so didnt have a big selection, no fish platter, only SEA BREAM and plenty of it! There was nothing but sea bream but it is always very delicious. One lady we met had Dragon Fish whatever that is, so I suppose it is whatever they can catch they cook.
Dragon fish is one ugly creature of a fish but it is cooked in chilli, it comes in three heats, medium hot, hot and very hot. I had the medium hot and it was fantastic with boiled potatoes. Thomas will tell you about the chilli and heat of the dish if you ask for the Dragon fish.
Try it, Mick
We loved the potatoes there, dont know what he does with them but we could have eaten a whole bowl full. I think the bone structure of the fish is very different from others which is why the lady we spoke to wondered what it was.