If ever the saying, “you can’t keep a good man down” can be applied, Toni Badia, ex-manager of Wellies is definitely a candidate.
After battling with the local authorities, endless paperwork and suppliers Toni has finally opened La Iglesia (the church) above the Bendinat roundabout, next to the Supermarket.
La Iglesia is truly a bar / restaurant.
The bar is in “the church” itself with high tables and chairs on the ground floor with “comfy chairs” and tables up in the gallery; there is also a terrace where you can sit in the sun. It is fully fitted with state of the art audio-visual systems.
The kitchen and indoor restaurant that seats around 35 is in a separate building across from the church. Between this and the church is a tented dining area of 50 covers.
The church theme (although in no way religious) is reflected in the stained glass effect windows and paintings with a clever mixing of contemporary art- it is all finished in the very highest quality.
They are open from early morning for coffee and croissants etc and offer a lunch and dinner service- the bar is open all day till late at night.
Looking at the menu they offer a choice of 9 salads, ranging from, a rice salad with bell peppers and flavoured with cumin and Soya sauce at 9 Euros to a , salad of warm prawns with a mixture of leaves and fruit de bosque dressing at 14 Euros.
First course choices (9) range from 7 Euros for, a leek soup with croutons and parmesan cheese to 14 Euros for, grilled scallops with Soya beans and truffle oil, or beef Carpaccio with parmesan cheese and mushrooms.
There are 11 main course dishes ranging from 14.50 Euros for, tortellini of foie and mozzarella with a wild mushroom sauce to, a cuttlefish cannelloni stuffed with lobster and served with apple sauce and a confit of leeks at 22 Euros.
They are also “children friendly” with a 5-choice children’s menu (7-9 Euros).
The deserts range from 5-6 Euros.
The house wines are 11.50 Euros for white (total choice of 9) and rosado (total choice of 6) and 13 Euros for a red (total choice of 31).
La Iglesia is easy to get to, has plenty of parking, is beautifully decorated, has an excellent range of dishes and is also a great place to have a casual drink.
With Toni at the helm this is bound to be a great success- see you there.
Reservations: 971 406 163