Laurence Dollimore
ROBERT De Niro has been spotted enjoying the culinary delights of one of Spain’s most historic cities.
The Hollywood legend, 80, was pictured with top chef Benito Gomez after eating at his two-Michelin-star restaurant Bardal in Ronda, inland Malaga.
De Niro was visiting the Costa del Sol with his family when he decided to spend last weekend in Ronda, an ancient town about an hour’s drive inland that is world-famous for its iconic bridge that overlooks a mammoth gorge.
After booking weeks in advance – unbeknownst to Gomez – the Godfather star rocked up to his Saturday lunch reservation. Gomez only found out the star would be coming some 24 hours prior.
Gomez told Diario Sur: “The day before I found out that he was coming to eat at the restaurant and the truth is that it has been an honour, we are very happy that he enjoyed the experience.”
He said De Niro was ‘very polite and friendly’ and did not ask for a private room or special treatment.
He added: “He seemed to me a very normal, elegant man, very interested in cooking but without eccentricities.”
De Niro ordered the set menu for €180, which includes; Raw vegetables and elderflowers broth; Clamato of roasted tomatoes; Mushroom cake; Tuna salad; Picanha with green pepper sauce; Squid with Payoyo cheese; Chicken skin and shrimp; Grilled heart lettuce with beef emulsion; Almond, garlic and caviar; Quisquilla shrimp and green pepper bell; Razor clams with corn and vanilla; Green beans, courgette and eel “Gazpachuelo”; Mushrooms collagen; Black grouper and saffron; Skewer of rabbit “a la cazadora” with truffle; Rabbit Blanquette.
And for dessert? Mango with coconut, Sweet potato and orange and finally petit-fours.
Gomez added that De Niro was ‘hungry’ so also tried some croquettes and ‘left delighted’.
