LOCATION
Opposite Manly Wharf. 20 minutes drive from the CBD or ferry from Circular Quay.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
When you first see Alhambra – the Manly restaurant that is – you may think it was with more than a drop of imagination (and maybe even denial) that the owners named this modest space. Lacking the bells, whistles and intricate arabesques of the famous Spanish palace, this Moorish eatery fronts up with bright walls and a few colourful tapestries. However your opinion is bound to change drastically as soon as you sample the menu.
Before you greedily rub your hands together in the manner of someone who expects to see a restaurant transform into a 14th century landmark, several hard decisions lie ahead. Alhambra offers diners the choice of a standard a la carte menu (set out in traditional courses – entree, main, dessert), a tapas selection and a banquet. The third is a good option for larger groups, but if you’re dining alone or with an intimate party, consider your decision carefully. On the a la carte menu, you can sample some of the tapas, like squeaky grilled haloumi or Harissa prawns, as entrees and move onto bigger traditional meals like tagines or paella for mains. However if you want to experience the biggest diversity of flavour, get into the tapas. The servings are generous (on a tapas scale) and if you order two to three per person you should have plenty to keep you satisfied – even gloriously stuffed. And it is somewhere between an ideally-textured, garlicky mushroom and a sweet B’Stilla pastry roll that you suddenly understand why this restaurant deserves its name (and why it has been a favourite with Manly locals since 1997). Each flavour is distinct, individual and likely to brand a memory on your tastebuds. On Friday and Saturday nights, Alhambra also heightens this dining experience with live flamenco performances. Ole!
Agnes Gajewska, March 2010