Several years ago I dined at a charming little restaurant called La Scarpetta da Mariò, tucked away discreetly in a quiet shopping centre close to the town centre.
Mariò himself was master of ceremonies, to the extent that he personally attended to patrons, spending a few minutes reciting the special meals available.
Quite a rigmarole in fact.
La Scarpetta moved to new premises more than a year ago, at the Plaza, 62, Avenida Nostra Senora del Carmen.
The new restaurant is considerably larger and, as a consequence, less intimate.
I like it, though it has lost a little of the former premises' charm; and Mariò has ceased the rigmarole (which I don't mind, frankly).
The new restaurant was very quiet when I arrived, though I tend to dine early so this was perhaps to be expected.
I was shown to a table at the far end initially.
I have experienced this treatment before, so before I settled there I scanned the room for a preferable table and noticed one I fancied at the window.
Seated at the window table, I perused the Italian menu and ordered the Torta Sfoglia agli Asparagi , fresh asparagus cooked in butter, with Parmesan and ricotta cheese, aromatic truffle, encased in a rich puff pastry.
For my main course I had the Tagiatelle ai Pomodorini Calabresi e Porcini, pasta with sun-dried cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, a bit of chilli pepper, porcini mushrooms and basil.
The asparagus tart was very good: moist, light, full of flavour; with a fine little garnish and sweet balsamic vinegar.
The pasta was good, too: fresh, appropriately cooked, complemented by the sun-dried tomatoes and basil.
The bill, including a soft drink, came to €20.10.
The bill, including a soft drink, came to €20.10.
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