You find the best restaurants by reading reviews like this, by recommendation from friends or sometimes, by accident. We were having a drink on the Avenida Maritima in Playa Blanca, which I have already confessed is now our full-time occupation in life! A very forceful (and loud) English woman announced to a group of her friends, ?And that..?, she said, pointing behind us, ?is the best Italian restaurant on the whole island?. Of course, I looked round to see where she was pointing and took note of the name, L?Artista. As we often walked past it, we had noticed it before but it?s not actually on the Avenida. It?s slightly set back and on two levels but there is a great view across the sea and there is a lovely terrace area on both levels.
So we decided to give it a try as the menu had a large number of vegetarian dishes. We were not disappointed and never have been and it is now our favourite restaurant, where we take visitors and where we go for special occasions.
Before I describe the food, let?s examine the atmosphere. There are several slightly mad Italians who serve you and offer entertainment and jollity. They love it if you try to speak even one word of Italian to them. Once I said to them ?Vorrei ?.? which my Italian O level assured me was ?I would like..? and it nearly bought the house down! My waiter was clapping and smiling and telling the others I had said ?Vorrei?. They also have a great line in silliness so a plate of garlic bread is delivered to your table and the waiter announces ?Tiramisu!? If you have spaghetti, they announce it as fish and chips and so on. One of our friends asked politely if a prawn dish came with peeled prawns as she didn?t fancy having to shell them. The waiter shouted to the kitchen and the chef appeared to explain that of course they were peeled! He?d spent all afternoon doing it and now look at his fingernails! He even offered her the option to sniff his hands as proof. Please don?t be put off by this as it?s all very tasteful and funny. I know some Brits hate the theatrical type of restaurant but this is always very funny.
We took our new grandson at only 5 months and he was much admired and tickled by everyone. We were then called nonno and nonna (Grandpa and Grandma) and our daughter and son-in-law were mama and papa for the evening. ?More beer for the nonna,? they informed everyone at full volume!
We once couldn?t decide which terrace to sit on or if we needed to go inside. We dithered so the waiter handed us the menu, saying, ?You decide, we close at midnight!? and went off. It?s all very good natured and part of the fun.
Forever after, if you walk by they will chorus ?Buongiorno!? or ?Buenasera!? to you.
Once I asked if I could have a cushion to support my injured back and one was immediately found and I was looked after with great care.
But what about the food? The food is just outstanding. It truly is the best Italian food we?ve had in years and it?s just as good each time we go. It?s often difficult to take friends somewhere you?ve raved about as they might not enjoy it but this place has been praised by everyone. Their pasta is always correctly al dente which means it has a bit of bite to it and is not soggy. The pizzas are crisp and fresh with plenty of toppings. But it is the sauces that make L?Artista so special. One friend had pasta with a prawn and vodka sauce which she said was divine. We?ve tried several dishes as there is plenty of choice of dishes without meat. The gorgonzola with walnuts is a particular favourite as is the artichoke sauce. They also do a melt in the mouth vegetable lasagne. All dishes are served on their own hand painted dishes and with lots of flourish!
I can?t vouch personally for the meat or fish but friends have told us it?s wonderful. There are only a few deserts ? tiramisu, chocolate mousse and profiteroles. The profiteroles are superb. My advice is don?t offer to share them! None of this one dish, two spoons stuff! They are heavenly and should be enjoyed alone.
L?Artista is reasonably priced for such excellent food but it is the ambience and floor show from the staff, who clearly love their food and make it so special. So to the lady who pointed us towards it, thank you!
Read more from Barbra:
What Not To Wear In The Sun
A Vegetarian Lifestyle in Lanzarote
Marina Rubic?n Market
Source: http://www.lanzaroteinformation.com/content/lanzarote-restaurant-review-lartista
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