There’s a new spot in La Laguna for homemade food, interesting wines and pinchos that disappear faster than you can order them.
La Vuelta, opened by José Vera on Calle San Antonio on 18 June, has already made a name for itself with its mix of traditional cooking, carefully chosen wines and Basque-style pinchos evenings.
Getting the place ready was a hands-on job in every sense. José trained as a carpenter and did much of the renovation work himself, shaping the wood and building the space from scratch. He later studied viticulture, winemaking and sommelier skills before finding his calling in hospitality.
As he puts it, becoming a sommelier was a dream come true. And given the attention he pays to the wine list, it shows.
Homemade food, just like home
The kitchen serves traditional dishes prepared fresh each day, including croquettes, tortilla de papas by the slice, meat in sauce and recipes inspired by José’s mother.
One particular favourite is the ensaladilla, which seems to vanish at an impressive rate.
José says the food is made daily, and once it’s gone, that’s it. Customers have even started reserving dishes before arriving. Not bad for someone who admits he isn’t a trained chef.
The approach is refreshingly simple: cook proper homemade food, serve it while it’s fresh and don’t pretend there’s an endless supply waiting in the kitchen.
Wines without the fuss
Wine is a big part of what makes La Vuelta different.
José keeps between 15 and 20 wines on rotation, with a particular interest in distinctive Canary Islands producers. Rather than sticking to the obvious choices, he looks further afield to places such as El Hierro, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
There are also small producers from mainland Spain and further afield, plus a traditional vermouth that José makes himself.
His approach to recommending wine is equally straightforward. Instead of burying customers under a pile of technical terms, he asks what they normally drink and suggests something from there.
The idea is to help people discover new wines without making the whole experience feel like an exam. Quite right, too.
Pinchos that fly off the counter
The other big attraction is La Vuelta’s Basque-style pinchos events, served on bread from Zulay.
The first event sold 420 pinchos in just 90 minutes. That’s quite a shift for a small bar.
Combinations included whipped chistorra sausage with mayonnaise, egg and an almogrote base, as well as truffled sobrasada with potato tortilla, caramelised onion and anchovy.
The second event was packed out as well, confirming that La Laguna has a healthy appetite for this style of eating.
What does it cost?
The average bill is around €20 per person, including a good meal and homemade dessert.
With fresh cooking, an interesting wine selection and a friendly atmosphere, La Vuelta sounds like the sort of place where you arrive for a quick bite and end up staying longer than planned.
If you’re in La Laguna and fancy something beyond the usual menu del día, it’s one to add to the list.