Sol i Luna

Fine Dining

Looking for a glamorous Marbella venue in which to dine? Give yourself a treat at Sol i Luna - where style and fine food are perfectly aligned. Louise Cook reports.….

From a modest location in downtown San Pedro, where many a Marbelli enjoyed exceptional pasta and that irrepressible Italian love of life, the owners of Sol i Luna have moved uptown to swish new premises in one of Marbella’s most prestigious addresses - Ancon Sierra.

The spacious venue, complete with gloriously high ceilings, warm terracotta hues, and a huge, roaring open fire, is one of the most attractive and atmospheric restaurant dining rooms in Marbella. Add to this ample space between tables and relaxed but efficient staff, and several of the main ingredients for a restaurant’s success are already in place. It may be a little too soon for terrace dining - but the garden is one of the most relaxing in town.

The proprietors ooze the kind of inimitable natural charm that makes you feel appreciated, pleased to be there - and followng the experience, looking forward to heading back to Sol i Luna for another enjoyable evening. With none of the excessive flamboyance characteristic of Italian restaurants the world over, the hosts are genuinely warm and generous with a pride in creating a memorable dining experience for their customers.

Cuisine with Amore
Starting the meal with a glass of cava and a few morsels of tuna, tomato and capers on toast, it was a true appetizer, leaving us hungry to try the delights to come. It was impossible to ignore the plate of mixed antipasto - a monumental mirrored plate laden with earthy Mediterranean starters, tasty quails, carpaccio drizzled with oil and parmesan, crisp, crunchy asparagus and tasty fishcakes.... Billed on the menu as a dish for two, it would easily feed four.

What is noticeable about the cuisine at Sol i Luna is that all the dishes surprise - either with unexpected ingredients, presentation or sheer generosity of portions - you can sense the TLC that goes into every dish emerging from chef Rolando Litti’s creative kitchen.

The Salad of Spinach and Prawns with a Mustard Sauce we tried was a delicate dish with the most tender baby spinach leaves, and a surprisingly creamy sauce, while a classic Foie Gras was given a twist with Port Jelly, Rocket and Almonds.

One of the most memorable dishes was the Chicken with Cherries, Potato Cake and Basil - what a wonderful, winning combination. We also loved the
Lubina (the freshest sea bass) prepared with a crispy crust and basil sauce.... cooked to perfection, it was totally delicious.

For a truly delicious fresh pasta, try the Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli... you won' t be disappointed.

We enjoyed a Protos Crianza red wine with dinner,, and were pleased to see that the wine list, although not extensive includes plenty of respected reds, fragrant whites and well priced sparkling wines.

The grand finale was an indulgent dessert plate including just about every dessert you could wish to devour - chocolate mousse, meringue, creme brulee etc... on one large mirrored plate.... wow - what a dream for those with a sweet tooth who can never decide which dish to go for.

The sun and moon dining experience was good one - and Sol i Luna lends itself equally well to starry nights and sunny evenings....

This Easter, on the 19 March, you can experience a 10-course gourmet feast with a fashion show from Fashion Villa at Sol i Luna - for a modest 39€ per person.

For reservations, call the restaurant on Tel: 95286 6627. www.soliluna-marbella2007.com