Marixa - Laguardia

Restaurant just outside the walls of Laguardia, with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. Our server was a fourth generation family member (of the hotel and restaurant) and his enthusiasm was infectious... although be prepared to use your phone to help translate. The food was upscale regional home cooked style and everything we had was excellent. Moderate prices.

I have been coming to this wonderful restaurant for over 50 years. The welcome, the food and the vista fight for supremacy in my mind. A sincere question about my health and then the decision about what to eat. I just love Pochas which are white beans in a tomatoey garlic sauce with bits of ham. Two bowls and one has to wait a while before attacking the Chuletas lamb chops heaped on a serving dish all washed down by a glorious Rioja as this village is smack bang in the region. The lamb is so good, pink and juicy. The wine list of a treasure trove as all the great Bodegas are listed especially the Reservas and Gran Reservas. By the way Rioja bottles wrapped in wire mesh is not for show. It is to stop Inn Keepers from the past drinking the great wines and refilling the bottle with rubbish. It is impossible to take the cork out without breaking the wire. It can only be put on by hand. Finally the view from the restaurant is beyond fabulous. One can see little villages dotted around the landscape as the river Oja twists around the little hillocks. But the whole scene is dominated by the back drop of the mighty Catabrian Mountains protecting the Rioja region from the Atlantic influence. The name of the river Oja and the Rio for river gave the name Rioja. Always book and ask for the corner table that gives you a two sided view which really is breath taking. And if you go in spring the Storks are building their nests on ancient roofs. The locals beleive that the return of the storks promises a great grape harvest. The main being Tempranillo unique to Rioja. Finally this hotel is fine place to stay. Beds a little hard but who cares with the amazing view.

Magnificent environment and sights. Friendly and professional service. Honest cooking and great products. Probably the best menestra, piquillo roasted peppers and becasse in Spain. Worth a visit and a meal.

Experiencia pésima. En primer lugar, una trabajadora que estaba captando clientes nos recomendó el lugar e intentó vender el menú de 26€ única opción de menú que según ella estaba disponible, ningún otro menú se iba a servir ese día según lo que nos informó , pero como no teníamos demasiada hambre le preguntamos si había posibilidad de pedir platos sueltos de la carta; a lo que nos contestó que sí. Finalmente nos decidimos por entrar. Pedimos un plato de espárragos como entrante y dos menestras y unas pencas gratinadas, al ver nuestra comanda, el camarero nos contestó de malas formas y nosotros le explicamos que nos habían dicho que no había problema en pedir platos sueltos de la carta, a lo que nos contestó con con una expresión maleducada que sí que ibamos a ir ligeros . A partir de ahí, nos sirvieron con desgana y mala educación. Pero eso no fue todo, sino a que a una mesa de al lado, preguntaron por un menú de 15€ que a nosotros nos dijeron que no estaba asequible, pero el camarero no dudó en servirlo. Esto es una muestra más de la mala descorrdinación ya que no se ponen de acuerdo ni en lo que tienen que vender. Además no entendimos la desgana ni el desprecio con el que nos sirvieron teniendo en cuenta que a las 14h tenían el comedor vacío. La comida estaba buena pero no merece la pena por el trato y por el precio. Nunca se nos ocurriría volver. A terrible experience. First of all, a worker who was recruiting customers recommended the place and tried to sell us the 26€ menu the only menu option she said was available, no other menu was going to be served that day according to what she told us , but as we were not very hungry we asked her if we could order individual dishes from the menu; to which she said yes. We finally decided to go in. We ordered a asparagus as a starter and two menestras and pencas au gratin. When the waiter saw our order, he answered us rudely and we explained that we had been told that there was no problem in ordering individual dishes from the menu, to which he replied with a rude expression that yes, we were going to go light . From then on, we were served with reluctance and rudeness. But that wasn 't all. Customers of the table next to us asked for a menu for 15€, which we were told was not affordable, but the waiter didn 't hesitate to serve it. This is just another example of the bad management, as they don 't even agree on what they have to sell. We also did not understand the reluctance and disdain with which we were served considering that at 14h the dining room was empty. The food was good but not worth it for the treatment and the price. We would never think of going back.

Fuimos por aquí a pasar una noche. El lugar es típico riojano, y las habitaciones no estaban mal aunque nada reseñable. Sí es cierto que pasamos bastante frío, y aunque la estufa estuviese puesta no calentaba suficiente en la habitación. Algo que deberían cambiar, es fijar la tele mejor porque chocaba con la puerta del armario corredero, y la ducha estaba rota por lo que salía el agua por los dos sitios y no se podía elegir uno de ellos en concreto. Bien es cierto que tenía una terraza muy maja y unas vistas preciosas.