The first raincloud officially putting an end to the summer did little to stand in the way of a recent lunch among friends at the MC Café. For a quick yet sophisticated getaway, few venues are quite up to par.
MC Café is as popular in the summer (where life centres around its chic Spanish terrace) as it is in the winter, when the inviting powder blue and white hues of the interiors make for an elegant yet laidback lunch in which the service is unparalleled and the menu, representative of some of the most characteristic dishes from across the globe.
Welcoming Warmth
As my friends and I rushed in from the wet weather, we were greeted by the warm smiles of staff, who quickly ensured we were sipping on a refreshing Cabernet Sauvignon while we took a look at the menu. Supervised by talented Chef Juan Gálvez, the kitchen serves everything from Asian inspired tatakis to gourmet salads and wood-fired pizzas, as well as clubs sandwiches and the classic MC Style Hamburger for those after something heartier. Ordering is always a challenge, owing to the array of influences that vie for one’s attention and the different cultures represented.
Healthy Choices
Health buffs take note: there are also many healthy dishes to choose from (identified with a little green heart), daily fresh juices, and breakfasts, with dishes like the Spanish Black Rye toast with avocado, micro-greens, tomato and fresh basil from the Hotel gardens, or even the MC Açai Bowl.
Sharing the World
Our tables’ orders were representative indeed of the variety of foods and styles on offer. We shared various platters, including fresh Vietnamese rolls, filled with seafood, veggies, and cilantro leaves; crispy duck rolls (bearing invitingly sweet, tender duck meat inside); and a suatéed scallop salad: a must for lovers of buttery soft scallops, seared to golden perfection, served with diced tropical fruits, avocados, toasted cashews and a teriyaki vinaigrette.
Our mains were equally diverse. I opted for the tuna tataki – beautifully seared on the outside and rare on the inside, brushed with a beautiful saffron and oyster sauce and served over seasonal, wok-cooked vegetables. This dish definitely raised the bar for this dish – and tataki is nearly always on my order list when it is available. One dining companion decided to go more traditional, ordering the a hearty grilled beef tournedo which he described as ‘melt in the mouth’, drizzled with sel gris, and served with grilled vegetables and chunky Belgian-style chips and a richly flavoured Bearnaise sauce.
Another friend, who is a big fan of Japanese cuisine, chose the panko chicken macerated with yuzu and ginger: lightly crisp and inviting, with an inviting citric freshness. A very special dish was the slow-cooked octopus, a dish that pays homage to the famous pulpo a la gallega.
For dessert, a classic dish was somehow fitting. We ordered the golden apple crumble, made with seasonal apples and boasting a light, homemade crumble. We also tried the carrot and ginger cake: warmly spicy, with an original Greek yoghurt mousse and lime topping. The MC Style Ferrero Rocher cake, bearing all the flavour of this classic chocolate alongside a freshly made raspberry coulis, was worth every calorie and definitely worthy being savoured again.
As we sipped on coffee and enjoyed the warmth inside on this cloudy day, we looked around and basked in the lively vibe. It may have been a weekday but almost all the tables were taken, and true to Marbella Club form, there were groups of all sizes and ages. Some were on business lunches and others with family and friends. Somehow, the MC Café is the ideal meeting ground for everyone after a knockout meal in sophisticated settings that invite you to simply enjoy yourself.
WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN
At the Marbella Club Hotel. Avda. Bulevar Alfonso de Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211.