Luna Rossa (Costa del Este)

We visited Mariá Bombón on my wife's 64th birthday and we weren't disappointed. Somebody has gone to a lot of trouble to make this place special and they have succeeded. The decoration is daring, without being vulgar, the tableware is well-chosen, especially the crockery which is earthenware glazed in deep colours ranging from ochre to lapis lazuli. The service is impeccable and the staff are very well trained. They are also understanding and helpful - our taxi driver did not have change for a fifty dollar bill and our phones had no internet so the maître, José Aguirre, sent the doorman down with ten dollars in change to solve the situation. The soundtrack is laid-back early 2000s house, which works well to set a lively atmosphere without intruding. And the food? Well, we kept to starters and cocktails, but presumably the main courses are along the same lines. The cocktails are simply perfect. We both chose citrus themes, hers with lemon, mine with lime, and both were beautifully balanced. Our starters were ceviche, portobello mushrooms with a cauliflower infusion, and shitake in tempura with sweet and sour. Of the three the portobello mushrooms were the stand-out success. The cauliflower infusion sounds fairly bland, but it was a great foil for the umami of the mushrooms and the very subtle touch of truffle oil. All in all, a very nice experience and well worth the visit.