Benijofar was our port of call, we had booked for El Rincón de Mateo Café for a bite to eat. We have been here on the tapas train events and once for a coffee, as we were passing. As we’d seen them post on social media, we decided to give their nice sounding daily menu offer a try.
What We Had
Drinks
We kept it non-alcoholic tonight with both of us having two diet cokes.
Food
Aperitif
The meal started well with warm bread, aioli and tomato. The challenge here, as ever, was not to full up on the fresh bread and this was compounded with the arrival of an extra in the form of a stuffed pancake covered in cheese. This gave us a good insight into what was to come and which didn’t disappoint.
Starter
I went with the steamed mussels and Soph opted for the stuffed aubergine. The mussels were super sized with a good number in the dish and came with a tasty broth. Soph’s aubergine was filled with mince and then topped with cheese. Unfortunately it wasn’t all that warm when served but when this was pointed out, the staff were apologetic and the issue was quickly resolved. The aubergine starter was then found to be well seasoned and thoroughly enjoyed.
Main
I opted for the pork and Soph went for the beef. What was quickly evident was not only the hearty portion size but also the attention to detail in its presentation.
The pork was tender and matched perfectly with the garlic and fried potatoes which I have to say are some of the best I’ve had. The beef was also very tender and came with a sweet caramelised onion sauce which worked incredibly well. Clean plates all round!
Dessert
I had the Spanish style French Toast, and Soph the pancake. Both desserts came with vanilla ice cream and were the perfect ending to the meal, totally indulgent and making us question, predictably, our decision to polish off the bread and aioli!
What We Liked
Friendly and attentive service throughout combined with restaurant quality food made it a perfect evening. Everything was clean, tidy and welcoming. Our only real regret is not having a meal here sooner.
What Could Be Improved
There was the slight hiccup with the temperature of the starter but this was handled so well by the staff and later the chef who came out to check on everything that it really wasn’t an issue. Sometimes the real test of a business is how they deal with a problem and El Rincon de Mateo handled it perfectly, without fuss and with customer satisfaction being their priority.
How Much Did It Cost
The meal came to a total of 27,90€ with each menu del dia being 13,95€. I have just noticed that we weren’t charged for the second drinks, perhaps this was in way of an apology for the issue with the starter.
Would We Return to El Rincon de Mateo Cafe?
Without a hesitation, it’s a resounding yes. This is a hidden gem which is easy to pass by and miss; I suggest you don’t!
How To Find El Rincon de Mateo Cafe.
As you come into Benijofar having come across the new roundabout, El Rincon de Mateo Cafe is on your right hand side, almost opposite the tobacco shop. Parking right outside is very limited however it was easy enough to find somewhere in the surrounding streets.
The address for El Rincon de Mateo Cafe is C, Ramon y Cajal, 4, Benijofar 03178.
The business has an active page on Facebook which provides details of their menu del dia menu and other offers.
