We were recently invited to eat at the freshly revamped Bar Fernan in Cómpeta which enabled us to sample the Friday night Spice Menu.
Fernan, his ever smiling wife Isabel and family offer wonderful Spanish hospitality in their bar situated behind the Ayuntamiento in Cómpeta. The recently refurbished interior opens onto a large secluded terrace surrounded by a collection of potted plants. The tranquil plaza is ideal for families as it is traffic free and totally self-contained with enough space for the children to have fun without impacting on the quiet relaxed atmosphere.
For our first course we each chose a different starter, from the selection of dishes from around the world. We tried the Mediterranean humus and black olives with flat bread, a huge basket of Oriental prawn crackers with sweet chilli sauce and cheesy garlic bread. The plan was to share but being a humus fan I ate most of it. The portions were generous and the home cooked food was tasty which boded well for the main course.
For our second course we chose burritos with spicy wedges, chicken fajita, Indonesian matsaman curry and a Thai green prawn curry. Mine was the cheese-topped fajita which filled with chicken, bacon and creamy subtly spiced sauce served with spicy potato wedges. It was and was really good and not like I was expecting, as usually fajitas contain fairly dry meat with peppers and onion. Everybody else enjoyed their food and agreed the portions were very generous. Other dishes on the menu included Tex Mex, Indian and kebabs.
The menu is priced at 9.99€ for a starter and main course and 12€ if you choose a dessert. However, as good as the homemade white chocolate and strawberry cheesecake looked; we were all too full to try it. Actually, now as I think back (you must appreciate that the meal also involved some beer and wine) I also had the lion’s share of the cheesy garlic bread and then finished off my wife’s (who’s a bit of a lightweight) burrito; that’s why I didn’t try the cheesecake!
The Friday night Spice Night menu will change every week and based on the meal we ate offers tasty food and is excellent value for money. I would definitely recommend the chicken fajita. Many of the spice night dishes appear as specials on the regular menu, which also offers choice of traditional starters, main courses and puddings and tapas and light bites such as oven baked jacket potatoes.
Isabel and Fernan have lots of plans for this coming summer. The plaza behind the bar is an ideal outdoor venue. With its proximity to both the church and the town hall it is an ideal setting for Weddings and civil ceremonies. On and on Friday, August 9th will host CÓMPETA ROCKS, a spectacular summer evening of music and entertainment including GU!R!, Vagablonds, The African Drummers, Geoff Murrell and Megan Rose. An inflatable Rodeo Ride will provide an interesting side attraction for those brave enough to take to the saddle! Tickets are priced at just 12.50€ to include a welcome drink table snacks and 2 course meal.
Throughout the summer they are also planning flamenco nights featuring a variety of talent and scrumptious Spanish food. The first of these evenings will be Saturday June 8th when you can dine alfresco, to the haunting sound of a flamenco guitarist. The evening will cost 18 per couple for paella and a jug of sangria .Warm summer evenings. Sangria. Tasty food. Flamenco. Welcome to Spain.
